LIST TO HELP SHOP FOR THE TROOPS
Feel free to use your imagination

FOOD and SNACKS:

Beef Jerky / Slim Jims
Beef Summer Sausage and cheese that does not require refrigeration (e.g., Hickory Farms products)
COFFEE (ground,instant or drip), hot chocolate packets, herbal teas
Instant drink mixes (Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light)
Nuts and seeds, like peanuts, pumpkin or sunflower seeds
Tuna and chicken in foil pouches (no cans)
Protein powders, protein bars, Clif bars, granola bars, Power bars, cereal bars
*NO CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS accepted from MARCH to OCTOBER (it will melt in high temperatures!)
Hard pretzels, Cheetos, Fritos, Chex mix, or Wheat Thins: anything that will not crumble
Gum and hard candy (must be individually wrapped)
Small packs of Fig Newtons, Oreos, Cheese-Its...
Dried fruit, granola, Fruit Roll-Ups, fruit gummies
DRY SOUP: Ramen Noodles, Cup-O-Soup (just add water)
Sardines, smoked oysters, kipper snacks
MICROWAVE FOOD: Popcorn, Chef-Boy-R-Dee, EZ Mac, etc.
COOKIES: Girl Scout cookies, Sandies, ginger snaps (any with chocolate: Oct. - Feb. only)
CRACKERS: Cheese & cracker packs, peanut butter and cracker packs
Condiments and spices; sugar; salad dressing, hot sauce, canned peppers... and use your imagination
Oatmeal packets (instant: just add water), single-serving cereal boxes
Dried fruits, raisins of any sort
Rice Krispie treats (store-bought only), Little Debbie, Krusteaz (make sure they are prepackaged before you send them and do not open them)
Gum and candy (seal this type of item in a plastic bag - you will be surprised what can go wrong)
Toothpicks
Salsa and chips
Fast food condiments
Plastic spoons
Toaster pastries
Soft package tuna
Peanut butter in a plastic jar
Jelly in plastic bottle
Do NOT send PORK in anything
If you send a canned item with a pop top, please enclose it in a Ziploc bag

TOILETRIES

Baby wipes (travel size), and regular size enclosed in Ziploc bags
Liquid hand sanitizer (travel size), sanitizer wipes, moist towelettes
Body wash, liquid soap, facial cleanser (again, place in plastic bags)
Shampoo and conditioner, large size for base and small for patrol (plastic bags, please)
Hair gel (for female troops to pull hair back)
Combs and brushes, bobby pins
Eye drops (e.g., Visine)
Nasal spray
Deodorant
Razors (all disposable)
Shaving cream (in tubes) or shaving soap (no aerosol cans)
Cotton swabs and cotton balls
Band-Aids, gauze pads, first aid kits
Lip balm (e.g., Chapstick)
Baby powder and foot powder, large size and small to carry with them
Gold Bond powder and medicated itch cream, antibiotic ointment, anti-fungal creams
Loofah sponges, buff puffs
Towels and washcloths
Tissues: individual packs and regular packs
Sunblock (SPF 45 is best), Aloe Vera gel
Bug spray: DEET, Skin-So-Soft (NO aerosol spray cans)
Hand and body lotion, facial moisturizer, regular size and small (Ziploc these)
Mouthwash (travel size)
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
VITAMINS: multi-vitamins, Zinc, vitamin E, vitamin C
Breath mints, breath strips
Lozenges and cough drops
Nail files, emery boards, nail clippers, toenail clippers
Feminine hygiene products
Tylenol, Motrin, Advil or Aspirin
Shoe insole cushions (gel kind is best)

ENTERTAINMENT and SPORTS:

Batteries: “AA” "AAA" and “C” are the most requested
DVD Movies (new or used)
X Box, Playstation, and Nintendo games (new or used)
Portable CD players and head phones
Small homemade gifts - little comforts of home
Pens & mechanical pencils
Stationery and envelopes; blank cards and timely greeting cards for them to send home (allow time for mailing the cards to your recipient and also time for them to mail them home)
Scotch tape, small crafts kits, scrapbooking items
Day planners, pocket calendars, personal journals (small)
Crossword puzzles, word search books, math puzzle books, Mad Libs, logic problems, sudoku
Yo-Yo's, dominoes, playing cards, poker chips, dice
Board games: Backgammon, Othello, chess and checkers (travel size is great, too!)
Footballs, baseballs, soccer balls, basketballs, mitts, Frisbees, and hackey sacks
Electronic handheld games
35mm disposable cameras
Flash drives and thumb drives for laptop computers

OTHER:

PHONE CARDS [prepaid] NOTE: check with your recipient to find which carrier will work in which locale

Linens: pillow cases, twin sheets, towels, blankets

T-Shirts: cotton green or tan undershirts (Sizes: M, L )

Note: The ban on popular clothing from companies like Under Armour, CoolMax and Nike comes in the wake of concerns that a substantial burn risk is associated with wearing clothing made with these synthetic materials. When exposed to extreme heat and flames, clothing containing some synthetic materials like polyester will melt and can fuse to the skin. This essentially creates a second skin and can lead to horrific, disfiguring burns.

Powdered laundry detergent, cloths pins and small rope to make a line

Air fresheners like Febreze or AirWick, etc. (no aerosol cans or glass containers)

Socks: black, olive green, white (cotton and/or wool); Thorlo combat boot socks (Note: Thorlo works with military families. Call 1-800-438-0286 and they will pack and ship to your designated military personnel.)

Patriotic knick-knacks, USA flags, flags from your state, bandannas, baseball hats, football jerseys, banners

Generic sunglasses

Dust masks, fly swatters, fly paper, mosquito netting, bug repellent in plastic pump bottles only (NO AEROSOL CANS, PLEASE)

Small toys & school supplies for Iraqi & Afghan children
Coffee makers (110 voltage okay) & coffee filters, disposable cups
Microwave ovens (55 lbs max; 110 voltage okay)
Small hot pots
Winter hats & blankets
Holiday decorations
Shower flip-flops
Mesh laundry bags
Hand-held fan with batteries
Travel mugs
Sunglasses
Deodorant
Freezer bags
Odor Eaters

DO NOT SEND THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
PLEASE CHECK THE CURRENT THEATER FOR COMPLETE AND UPDATED LIST

Homemade goodies, because they will spoil before they arrive.
Chocolate products from March to October. They melt in the heat.
Glass bottles or jars, or any similar product that could shatter.
Tobacco or alcohol of any kind.
Magazines or photos with nudity or pornography.
Flea collars. Wearing them will make a human being ill.
Religious articles.
Liquids should always be enclosed in a secondary container like a Ziploc bag. Make sure to burp the bag.
Never send aerosol cans. They tend to explode.
Pork products to Iraq or Afganistan: Check the (mps site) for details on each theater's do's and don't's.