One of the other message boards I participate in has been organizing care package collections for the troops in the middle east. The next collection/send date is Nov 15th, as mail is slow.
They’re requesting Christmas stuff: decorations, blank Xmas cards for the soldiers to sign and send to their loved ones (hence the need to be early!), non-perishable snacky stuff, music, etc.
Sounded like the kind of thing others might like to know about. Here is the thread on that board discussing the collection. If you can help, please do. Thanks!