Operation Cookie Drop Guidelines (most of this stuff has been posted already)

M

marilynfl

Moderator
Cards/notes/postcards of support are probably the most welcome item – even from kids;

- Written items should be in un-sealed envelopes; you may include your return address

- Items should be new; books, periodicals, etc should be new or in excellent condition

- No pork or pork contents/ingredients whatsoever

- No aerosols, pressurized, or glass containers (including shaving cream)

- Unscented toiletries are preferred due to insects

- Note expiration dates as packages may take several weeks to arrive

- No Bibles or items offensive to the Islamic faith

- No adult content (including photos of people in bathing suits/scantily clad)

 
Foods (filler other than your cookies/sweets)

- Gatorade and other powdered drink mixes
- Instant coffee, tea, and hot chocolate mix
- Boxes of sugar packets/cubes
- Powdered coffee creamer
- Beef or turkey jerky
- Nuts and sunflower seeds
- Dried fruits
- Trail mix
- Cereal / granola bars
- Cookies, crackers, Chex Mix, pretzels, Pringles, snack cakes, etc. (in crush-proof boxes)
- Snack-Pack puddings and fruit cups
- Candy (chocolate bars, hard candy, mints, etc.)
- Dry cereal (single serving boxes preferred)
- Oatmeal and other warm breakfast cereals (boxes with individual serving packets)
- Kraft Mac & Cheese
- Instant soup packets
- Spices (Onion powder, garlic powder, spice mixes, etc.)

 
Toiletries:

- Baby wipes
- Q-tips
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Cortisone cream
- Cutter insect repellent wipes
- Lip balm (unflavored)
- Waterless hand cleaner
- Baby powder
- Foot powder
- Deodorant
- Eye drops
- Disposable razors
- Shampoo, conditioner
- Soap or body wash (unscented items preferable)
- Nail files
- Small sewing kits

 
Other Amenities:

- Blank cards for them to mail out to family, friends.
- Sporting equipment: baseballs, Frisbees, footballs, Nerf balls, etc.
- Games such as YoYo's, Hackie sacks, etc.
- Playing cards and card games (e.g. UNO)
- Board games, chess/checker sets, dominoes, etc.
- Puzzle books
- Paperback books (fiction or nonfiction)
- Magazines (issues from the past 6 months)
- Baseball caps
- Bandanas
- T-shirts (preferably white or light colored)
- New men's and women's white long sport-socks
- Small flashlights (batteries included)
- Stationery with envelopes and pens
- Ziploc freezer bags (large and small)
- AA and AAA batteries
- Disposable cameras
- Pre-paid global calling cards

 
From my L-M coordinator when I sent her the cookie post:

Marilyn,

All I can say is WOW! What a tremendous response. It does my heart good to see the way our people support our troops.

I'll be excited to hear the name you all come up with for the group. Looks like they're having fun with it.

Thank you so much for taking this on. I know it will be a big effort, but it will mean so much to our troops. It does them a world of good to receive packages from home and to know that we support them.

Debbie

 
Marilyn, would it be okay to get some volunteers from outside of FK swap?

I know some people who I might be able to get to volunteer to do this also.

 
We need a name for our group: Can someone take on this task?

Debbie at L-M needs a "name" to put on the documentation that will go out with the boxes and flow up to staff messages (since L-M are paying for the second set of postage).

Sandy in Philly SPA (Sick Puppy Artisto) has graciously offered to make up a logo sticker to put on the boxes.

**************************
On another note:

I'm still trying to get a firm answer on cookie tins. One source said "yes, I think so."

That's not good enough for me. Especially if a box doesn't make it through for something like that.

 
I don't see why not, as long as we know the source and they abide by the guidelines. One woman

here at work was so impressed with the quick response that she asked if she could also donate.

This group of Marines has already received a large "goodie" box of toiletries, books, etc from L-M, so the liaison would like this shipment to be on Christmas treats with other amenities as filler if desired.

Since I'm trying to avoid opening the boxes when they get to me, I just need to be sure the guidelines were followed.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top