I'm spending way too much money, you should too.

This is worse than Ebay for me. If I read a posting, then I have to go to the store and buy stuff. I keep telling myself that I will stop, but I keep going back.

http://www.anysoldier.com

Basically one soldier has agreed to accept packages to the Attn: Any Soldier and distribute the contents accordingly. A lot of times they just want correspondence for those not getting mail.

Seriously, even old magazines, movies, and video games are wanted.

8 days left to get Christmas present delivered.

Just did. Two cookie packages on their way.



Even though my personal reflection is not to support the war, it's a completely different story in supporting the men and women who are over there.

Please remember that many of these individuals are reserve members, meaning that they are not full-time army/navy/air force individuals.

The individuals serving over there are your neighbors, your co-workers, and for some, members of your immediate or extended family.

This would be a wonderful project for VERTU.

I dont want to tread on this i think you are great for this! but you know they have an AAFES at EVERY location? they pride themselves in having a store there within X amount of hours =\ and they stock the latest and greatest. old magazines and stuff.. good movies and video games? i dont think.. cookies.. and personal touches from home from personal experiance would be the best. often people get homesick.. i would say the last time i had anything really homeade was in late march. these are the things people crave.. everyone wants a touch of home =\ im sure there are other service members here that could give you an insight of what they miss but i dont want you to think im bashing you or what your doing i think its more then great and i applaude you for it one of the things that makes me proud to serve is the fact that i know people are supporting me even though they dont know me(does that even make sense?) anyway thanks for doing this guys you are great!

oooh! thank you for posting this Neehai! I'm going to browse some soldiers to send to. And Billy, great ideas too! One thing this page offers though is that the soldiers list next to their "bios" what they are "hoping" for. So that could determine what some people send also. Here, this is from the front page:

Isn't there a way to keep in touch with some people from around there? Something like a penpal thing. If there is can I get a link and some suggestions.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. I'm just going by what the letters request.

The primary purpose of this program is to send small items and more importantly correspondence to soldiers who have volunteered to pass it along to people who may not otherwise receive gifts and letters from people back home.

Other times it seems that they are unable to get some more comfortable supplies easily. One soldier mentioned that it was hard to get AA batteries because the PX was always out. So I figure it is a hell of a lot easier for me to walk one block to Radio Shack where I can buy hundreds of AA batteries at my leisure.

Here is a request for instance from Iraq:

So for this letter I just wrote out five cards and dropped them in a box with one of each women's magazine I saw at the grocery store. (maybe they really wanted copes of Guns and Ammo, hmmm, that was a bit sexist of me.)

These are actual letters from the troops requesting assistance. Another for instance is that some in Afghanistan are preparing for the cold winter and asking for house shoes, sweats and other things.

This was started by a guy in the Army and is now managed by his mother, who was also an MP.

I don't profess to know what people need at all. I just read through the list and put together boxes based on what they ask for. Also, some have mentioned that holiday themed items are nice. Christmas cards, decorations.

Other units have adopted local schools and ask not for themselves but for the local children with whom they are working.

I just mention DVDs and Magazines because that is something almost anyone would have laying around the house. You wouldn't have to actually go out and buy it. Just pack it up with a letter and some cards.


I think this would be a great way to develop a penpal. Just send a letter and it will get directed to someone who doesn't get a lot of mail.

You know.. neehi really.. the more you hit on this subject the more i begin to actually like you. The thing is some things are hard to get.. ie. shower shoes(99 cent flip flops) and commmon supplys that are semi mandatory. Also i have been in situations when all you want is to read or hear about something back home.. and when you do thats all you think about until you hear or read something else about back home. Alot of times it seems like some peoples parents/friends/family doesnt care and it doesnt help at all because some NEVER get one letter which im sure they do not like when people are receiving letters,pictures and such and its just a common thing after mail call you show off what you got if its pictures of your kids,girlfriend or what ever. I am in the service now and my brother is also and my mother has always asked for the names/addresses of those that are not receiving mail and she sends them a joke(she just goes online finds a joke) a day and writes a quick spirit lift line like.. thanks for your service how are you doing etc.. and its always amazing to over hear people bragging to there friends and passing around the jokes and getting anxious when mail comes. Its sad that people do not realize how hard it is for some people when they dont get any kind of outside communication. To be honest i think a letter from someone saying hello how are you doing and telling me about weather and such from where they are would lift my spirits alot if i wasnt getting any mail. If you guys have any questions of what supplys or whatever might be needed feel free to ask away maybe i can give you a hand! Some of the things on there site would be nice but i do not see most of it in high need.. AAFES opened a burger king in iraq for the soldiers shortly after we were there.. AAFES does a lot for us.