4th Grade – Adopt a Soldier:
Suggested Care Package Items: (ITEMS WITH AN “ * “ WERE REQUESTED BY MORE THAN FIVE TROOPS)
DRINK: * COFFEE (Ground or whole)-local roasters are fun to try out
* Herbal teas (sleepy time, green tea, Republic of Tea varieties)
* Hot Chocolate packets (seasonal)
Instant Drink Mixes (Gatorade, 4C Tea)
Protein Powders / MetRX/ Meal replacements
SNACK FOOD
* * CRUNCHY Cheetos – especially the “Cheddar and Jalapeno” and the “Flamin’ Hot”
* Caffeinated gum or candy (to stay alert)
Cheese & Cracker packs
* Dried Fruit (blueberries, strawberries)
* Fruit Roll‐Ups / / Fruit Gummies
Granola
Granola Bars / Cereal Bars (Cliff Bar company is a huge supporter and supplies boxes frequently)
Gum and Hard Candy (individually wrapped better with the heat issues)
NUTS: Peanuts, Mixed Nuts (salted)
* Pudding cups
Pumpkin Seeds / Sunflower Seeds (salted)
* Small Packs of Fig Newtons, Oreos, Cheese‐Its
* Sun Chips/ Veggie Chips / Cheetos / Fritos / Chex Mix / Wheat Thins
Trail Mix
Missed Meal Food
Chicken/Turkey in foil pouches (no cans) salad or plain
DRY SOUP: (Ramen Noodles / Cup‐O‐Soup: just add water type–Kimichi if available)
Healthy style cookies (if there is chocolate in the cookies, be advised of the heat issue from March through September)
MICROWAVE FOOD Chef‐Boy‐R‐Dee, Mac-n-Cheese single packs)
Oatmeal Packs (Instant: just add water) the only flavors they have are plain, brown sugar and apple spice; any other than those
Tuna in foil pouches (no cans), Tuna Salad or plain
CONDIMENTS (to give food flavor):
Gander Mountain sauces
Special sauces like Buffalo Wild Wings sauce
Trader Joes sauces
TOILETRIES / HYGIENE:
Breath Mints / Breath Strips
Corn remover pads
Cotton Balls
Feminine Hygiene Products
Moleskin
Nail files / Emery Boards / Nail Clippers
Shoe Insole Cushions (gel kind is best)
Tylenol, Motrin, Advil
Feminine Hygiene Products
Breath Mints / Breath Strips
Combs / Brushes, Bobby Pins
Hair Gel (for female troops to pull hair back)
Hand & Body Lotion / Moisturizer (travel size)
* Loofa Sponges / Buff Puffs / Washcloths
* Pearl tampons
Nail files / Emery Boards / Nail Clippers
* Razors (disposable: “Intuition” or “Mach 3″ type)
Tissues (individual packs; travel size only)
MEDICINE: (due to the air quality in Afghanistan)
* Allegra
Eye Drops (e.g., Visine)
Lozenges / Cough Drops
* Mucinex
Nasal Spray
Nyquil
* Rogaine
Sinus wash
* Tylenol PM
VITAMINS (multi‐vitamins are always needed!)
ENTERTAINMENT and SPORTS:
Batteries: “AA” “AAA” and “C” are the most requested
* Day planners / Small Pocket Calendars
Double‐sided tape
DVD player (old ones from a thrift store that still work are fine)
Electronic handheld games
Electronic Massager
Frisbees / Hackey sacks
* Nerf footballs / Whiffle balls / Mitts / Sports equipment
Portable DVD players / head phones
PS2 Games (new or used)
Small homemade gifts ‐ little comforts of “home”
Stationery & Envelopes; blank cards to send home
Xbox Games (new or used)
Yo‐Yo’s, Dominoes, playing cards, poker chips, dice
OTHER:
* Air Fresheners (Febreze)
Alarm Clocks (Small in size; wind up or battery‐operated)
Black or Green duct tape
* Exacto knives
** KNIFE SHARPENERS-no one has stones, everyone has knives
Laundry Detergent: (put in plastic bag in case of leakage)
* Linens: Pillow cases, twin sheets, towels (green & tan)
** Small desk lamp for bunk beds to read w/o having the lights on
* Small tool kits carpentry tools, whittling or making small things for room
* Good Socks: olive green or tan (cotton and/or wool)
* Winter Blankets (Yes, it snows in the winter over there.)
K9 Items
Brush
Kong Toys
CARDS & LETTERS
Kids letters and drawings are great.
Note: Troops do not need stamps; free postage available in war zones & may send mail home to their loved ones at no charge.