SOUTHERN SMILES ADOPT A SOLDIER
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BE SENT TO THE TROOPS

Operation: Savannah Cares    Follow the links from this page to Current Projects, then Suggested items

 Toiletries (no aerosol cans)

• Tooth paste/tooth brush
• Plastic toothbrush holders
• Bar soap/soap dishes
• Deodorant
• Chap stick
• Lotion
• Disposable razors
• Shaving cream
• Small packs Kleenex
• Nail clippers
• Shampoo
• Hair products for Black hair
• Individually wrapped wet towelettes
• Hand washing gel
• Wash Cloths
• Sunscreen
• Small mirrors (wrap well)
• Cold water clothes detergent
• Clothes pins

If Females are in your groups, add:

• Tampons/Pads
• Cream rinse
• Hair Spray
• Make-up/waterproof mascara
• Brown/black barrettes/elastic bands, etc
  (no gold or silver)

Miscellaneous Items

• Snacks (chocolate melts)
• Paperback books - used ones OK
• Note paper/envelopes (they can mail letters free)
• Pens
• Movies - used ones OK
• Magazines
• Crossword puzzle books
• Deck of cards
• Football
• White tube socks
• Board games - UNO ™ , Yachtzee™), Scrabble™), Monopoly™), etc..
• Handheld games (that use no batteries)
•  

DO NOT SEND: Magazines/books with "racy" covers, e.g., Cosmopolitan, or the Feb. issue of Sports Illustrated , or Pork Products

Other suggestions for items found on the internet:

From the Military Download Library  The Military Download Library is a free service provided to the troops and support personnel serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. We have promised that the Library will exist as long as there is a need. But we need your help to keep that promise.

Remember that when donating clothing, standard military colors (black, olive green, olive brown, and desert cammo) are preferred. Also, the 3000-calorie intake per day requirement remains a must-do for these troops, so they can safely do their work.

Clothing needs include, but are not limited to: lightweight t-shirts, sleeveless t-shirts, shorts, lightweight socks, billed hats, and other heat-friendly clothing. Bandanas, handkerchiefs, terrycloth wristbands and headbands, and other items used to soak up sweat are also more than welcome. Please remember that both men's and women's sizes are needed

Beverage needs include, but are not limited to: individual-sized non-breakable bottles of bottled water, juice, sports drinks (like Gatorade™), Hawaiian Punch™-type drinks, and other non-alcoholic beverages to help them ward off dehydration. This is a most critical need, since dehydration is a serious problem, especially in hot locations. Dehydration can lead to death if not promptly treated, so it is better to prevent it altogether.

Food needs include, but are not limited to: granola, trail mix, tropical dried fruit mixes, regular dried fruit mixes, raisins, cheese & peanut butter crackers, other snack cracker styles, canned fruit (individual-sized is best), and no-need-to-refrigerate, ready-to-eat meals (like Lunchables™). They would also appreciate easy-open cans of tuna (both in oil and in water), sandwich spread, salmon, etc., (include snack crackers with these items), other easy-open canned goods, and other high-protein, healthy, or tasty foods. Think of the foods you'd want if the power went out and none of your electric appliances worked. Those are the types of food that are most appreciated and most easily used by the troops. Disposable utensils would also be appreciated.

Despite being in a war zone, the troops do have free time. They need recreational items such as Frisbees™, softballs, baseballs, mitts, footballs, Hackey-Sacks™, cards, cribbage boards, dice, board games that do not require electricity or batteries (such as Scrabble™, Monopoly™, Trivial Pursuit™, and Scattergories™), books*, in all genres, are always very popular, pads of paper, art supplies (you'd be amazed at the talented folks all throughout the military), water guns (the one kids play with in hot weather), craft kits (easy-to-do items that do not require electricity or batteries), and other hobby-like items. Towels are also needed, for both personal hygeine and craft or exercise needs.

The troops have also said they'd like items for the children of Afghanistan. Think about sending some things for the kids when you send care packages for the troops. Chocolate candy and simple toys (dolls, cars, etc.) seem to be the most popular requests.

Quality-of-life items continue to be needed. Small items, easily stowed in gear lockers include: disposable razors and shaving cream; small mirrors; small soaps, shampoos, and deodorants; small toothpastes and toothbrushes; salt tablets*; small cans of foot-itch and jock-itch powder (a problem in hot-weather areas); feminine care items, and other items not listed here.

*Check with the military before sending any Over-the-Counter (OTC's) medicines. They have a list of OTC's the troops are not allowed to use, so it is better to check before sending OTC's that are forbidden. If we can find a copy of that list, MDL will make it available to donors.

Use your imagination, and remember that these items do need to fit into gear lockers and duffel bags.

Send an encouraging note with your donations. Those notes mean the world to these incredibly brave people so far from everything they know and love.