Shopping List for Care Packages

Several times per year this chapter sends packages to our troops. We always need donations of items for these boxes.

Food items:

  • Cider Mix
  • Coffee Singles
  • Dried Fruit (Raisins, etc.)
  • Fruit – in pop-top cans/cups
  • Fruit Rollups
  • Green Chili/Small Cans or Bags
  • Halloween Candy
  • Hot Chocolate Mix
  • Instant Oatmeal
  • Jerky – small packages
  • Microwave popcorn
  • Multigrain bars
  • Pop Tarts
  • Protein Bars
  • Ramen Noodles – Brick Style
  • Shelf-Stable Microwavable Items
  • Single-Serving drink mix tubes (Kool-Aid, Crystal Light etc.)
  • Sunflower/Pumpkin Seeds/Nuts
  • Tea Bags
  • Tuna/Chicken/Salmon – foil pouches
  • Vienna sausage – Small pop-top cans

Non food items and toiletries:

  • Bath Soap
  • Conditioner
  • Dental Floss
  • Deodorant
  • Disposable Razors
  • Gloves
  • Hand Warmers
  • Kleenex
  • Lip Balm
  • Lotion
  • Mouthwash
  • Paperback Novels (Male Genre)
  • Pens & Pencils
  • Pocket Word/Math Game Books
  • Powder
  • Shampoo
  • Shave GEL (NO AEROSOL!!)
  • Socks
  • Sunscreen
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Wet Wipes
  • Zipper SANDWICH & SNACK size bags

If you knit or crochet you may want to make helmet liners for our troops who are deployed to cold regions in winter. There are several projects on the Internet to connect knitters/crocheters with those who distribute helmet liners. Please contact the Webmaster for information about those groups. There are several patterns for liners; the webmaster has written one that seems to work well. You can see it here. If you need help with it or with the Topless Mitten pattern help is available.

All hands - Please read the following concerning sending letters to "A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center." Go to this to verify the following message.



Support A Recovering American Soldier

Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to "Any Wounded Soldier" or "A Recovering American Soldier" that Walter Reed cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.

In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages. Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into a collection box will not be delivered.

Instead of sending an "Any Wounded Soldier" letter or package to Walter Reed, please consider making a donation to one of the more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families listed on the America Supports You website, Other organizations that offer means of showing your support for our troops or assist wounded servicemembers and their families include: The United Service Organizations, Inc. The Army's "To Our Soldiers" and the American Red Cross

For individuals without computer access, your local military installation, the local National Guard or military reserve unit in your area may offer the best alternative to show your support to our returning troops and their families. Walter Reed Army Medical Center will continue to receive process and deliver all mail that is addressed to a specific individual. As Walter Reed continues to enhance the medical care and processes for our returning service members, it must also must keep our patients and staff members safe while following Department of Defense policy. The outpouring of encouragement from the general public, corporate America and civic groups throughout the past year has been incredible. Our Warriors in Transition are amazed at the thanks and support they receive from their countrymen.