# A humble request **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 19, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551 "2003-03-19T14:49:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/1 "2003-03-19T14:49:04Z")
On the eve of such an historic event, I would urge us all to put away our differences and instead with humility and gratitude do what we can to help those brave souls who are at this very moment risking their lives to ensure the security of ours. I have family in the armed forces, and many friends who are overseas as well. Most have been gone for weeks, months now and while they are ready for what may come, it is always difficult to be away from friends, family and loved ones. Whether you’re an individual, or part of a business, family or school group, you can help support our troops in a vital way. The life of a soldier is a hard life, but the little things can mean so much. I challenge you to do what you can by sending a care package to a soldier or platoon. [Care4Troops](http://www.care4troops.com/) offers pre-made care packages in a variety of options, and [Support US Troops](http://www.supportustroops.com/) does as well. These packages are nice, but there is more needed than snacks and goodies. A letter from a co-worker’s son points out some of the basic necessities that any soldier would be grateful for: \*Individually wrapped moist towlettes \*Lip balm \*Lotion \*Socks \*Toilet Paper \*Prepaid calling cards \*Sunscreen \*LETTERS!!! The USO’s [Operation Care Package](http://www.uso.org/pubs/93_325_1391.cfm) includes all these necessities in its packages. Due to security, packages marked ‘Any Service Member’ are no longer accepted, so a donation to the USO will cover the costs of care packages sent overseas. [Operation Dear Abby](http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/MessageSend.html) provides a link where you can send an e-mail to any service military. [Adopt a Soldier](http://www.adopt-a-soldier.org) is where you can sign up to write letters to a soldier one day a week. They match seven people with a soldier, and each will write one day a week. [Adopt a Platoon](http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/) offers e-mail, pen pal, PlatoonMom and direct support options. I urge all of you to take a brief moment out of your day and e-mail a soldier today. Let them know they are being thought of, prayed for, and that they have our gratitude. It will mean so much to them. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/2 "2003-03-19T14:54:30Z")
Mail’em cartons of cigarettes. That’s what I would do. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/3 "2003-03-19T14:55:20Z")
**JetGirl** Thanks for all the links. ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/4 "2003-03-19T17:58:23Z")
Those are just the kind of thing I was looking for when I posted [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3155157#post3155157) Thanks, **JetGirl**. Which one is best, I wonder? ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/5 "2003-03-19T18:03:49Z")
Here is another organization that provides these services. [Operation Military Support](http://www.operationmilitarysupport.com/volunteerstart.htm) I think I will try this one first.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jacksen9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@jacksen9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacksen9)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/6 "2003-03-19T19:02:47Z")
**XJETGIRLX** thanks for those links. It’s a great way to show support for our troops. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Serendipity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Serendipity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serendipity)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/7 "2003-03-19T19:31:14Z")
Thank you for posting those links, **XJETGIRLX**. I’m glad you mentioned that the soldiers need things other than snacks/goodies – I wouldn’t have thought of sending toilet paper. I’ll definitely keep that in mind when I go shopping for my Adopt-a-Platoon soldiers later this week. ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/8 "2003-03-19T23:40:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hyperjes \* > Thanks, **JetGirl**. Which one is best, I wonder? I’m not sure, as I haven’t used all of them, but I’ve sent letters through Operation Dear Abby and am arranging to have my own care packages sent through my employer. Also, for those who don’t want to take the time to write out a long letter, or wouldn’t know what to say, the [Department of Defense](http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html) has an online thank-you card you can sign your name to. I’ll be sure to check out the link you posted too! ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/9 "2003-03-20T00:16:07Z")
there is operation paperback as well. i’ve sent quite a few books through this organization. it is always fun to pack a few extras (snacks, toiletries, music) into the box of books. [http://oppaperback.virtualave.net/](http://oppaperback.virtualave.net/) no matter what side you are on, regarding the present situation; the troops do need our support, thoughts, and prayers, and perhaps a book or two. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/10 "2003-03-20T18:47:22Z")
Bump for a good cause. ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/11 "2003-03-21T03:13:17Z")
I just thought I would note that I have sent two seperate e-mails on two consecutive days to the link that I posted above. I have yet to hear back from them. Has anyone tried another and had any luck getting a response? ---
**Author:** ![soulburnz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@soulburnz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulburnz)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/12 "2003-03-21T03:30:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hyperjes \* > \*\*I just thought I would note that I have sent two seperate e-mails on two consecutive days to the link that I posted above. I have yet to hear back from them. > > Has anyone tried another and had any luck getting a response? \*\* It took them a few days to get back to me - they apologized saying they are swamped with requests. ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/13 "2003-03-21T03:31:41Z")
Thanks, **soulburnz**. I will try to be patient. I just want to help somehow. And, being me, I want to help NOW! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lynne\_kilii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lynne\_kilii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynne_kilii)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/14 "2003-03-21T17:30:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ferret Herder \* > \*\*Bump for a good cause. \*\* ditto. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/15 "2003-03-21T18:19:35Z")
For $10, you can send a Reader’s Digest subscription to an armed services member. I saw this in my current issue of RD, but I can’t find it on their website. ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/16 "2003-03-22T04:30:51Z")
Bumped again. Still waiting to hear from Operation Military Support. ---
**Author:** ![deborak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc348/32.png) [@deborak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deborak)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/17 "2003-03-22T05:15:47Z")
**hyperjes** - Just thought I’d mention that I just submitted a request to the Operation Military Support link, and I got an instant, automated email with the name/address of “my” service person. Is this the same thing you’re trying to do? Maybe they had some server issues or something? I’m off to write my letter to my service person, and tomorrow I’m going to go shopping for a little care package. Yay! Thanks, **XJETGIRLX** for this thread. I feel so much better now that I’m contributing in some small way. Question for anyone who has done this before: Are these troops serving in Iraq, or anywhere overseas? Not that it matters one whit to me, but some of the items on the suggested list seem to be geared to desert conditions (sunscreen, lip balm, flea collars for sand fleas, etc.) In addition to snacks and goodies, I’d like to send some functional things that are really needed. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/18 "2003-03-22T05:48:10Z")
**XJETGIRLX** , you rock! ---
**Author:** ![light\_strand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@light\_strand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/light_strand)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/19 "2003-03-22T05:54:54Z")
As the wife of a reservist who was called up I will also add that you might want to find out if there is a family out there that could use your help to mow a lawn or watch kids for the day. We don’t have very good support from the military and we often lose a significant amount of income when our spouses are called up. We can use all the help we can get. ---
**Author:** ![sheepi83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@sheepi83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sheepi83)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551/20 "2003-03-22T06:35:38Z")
How do I pick a soldier and send them my own personal package? I couldn’t tell from the sites… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humble-request/162551.md?page=2)