Any Soldier... or Marine, Sailor, Coastguard, Airman ...

Even though Christmas is past, giving is always good any time of the year!!! :-) Please consider writing a letter, having your kids make cards and pictures, and maybe even homemade Valentines to send overseas... Last year one of my friends sent homemade valentines and candy to some soldiers and sailors. One of the sailors even wrote back! She said they appreciated the cards and homemade valentines from the kids so much. The put them up on their office wall in their ship. It's a real morale booster and what better way to show love and support our troops (whether or not you support the reason they're in service)??? Log on to AnySoldier.com and encourage overseas troops with letters (and packages if you can), and just show them some love and support from the USA!!!

Here are her suggestions:
Right now we're working on a couple of boxes to send out... I always have lots of toiletries from my shopping with the Grocery Game, so putting in things like shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste doesn't cost me that much. Then we like to add some things like gum, chocolate (in the winter), microwave popcorn, soup, oatmeal; granola bars, socks, hair ties, maybe a crossword puzzle book, novels, DVDs... whatever! You can assemble a box of items and just send it to someone- or you can try to tailor it to specific requests. Many people post needed items, and many just say- "whatever you can send helps!" Don't send anything microwaveable or any DVDs, though, unless they say they can use them. Not everyone is in a place where they have access to those things. I call the USPS for a free mili-kit (This free kit may be ordered by calling 1-800-610-8734- Press 1 for English, and press 1 for express mailing), and I get flat rate boxes, customs forms, even packing tape and mailing labels for free. I've gone before to send it, and the postal clerk will say, "Wow- you did good. This would have been $21.53 (or whatever), but with the flat rate it's only $8.95". I put heavy stuff in there! :0)

So, let this be an encouragement to you. If you've never put together a care package for someone you don't even know- do it! Also, let your kids help!!!