As always on Sundays, I put up a photo from home that I think Lauren will enjoy. This was taken between storms a couple evenings ago. I don’t think she is getting to enjoy any summer showers in Iraq, so I think she will enjoy seeing ours.
A lot of people have asked if they can send anything to help out Lauren and her unit over there so I am putting that info up for you today. Please read all of this information carefully so that anything you send will actually get to people who need it. Including items that are not allowed or not having the address exactly correct could result in your package never getting there at all.
First the address:
Operation SOAP
345 Combat Support Hospital, ICW
Unit #73325
APO, AE 09333-3325
Operation SOAP is a way for you to be able to help the patients in their hospital and will also help supply needs for the soldiers caring for them. Please include a note addressed to “Lauren” and referring to this post, so that they all know that you are a reader of this blog or hers.
First some very specific things they can use right away – these are needed in limited amounts, so please leave a comment if you are supplying one of these items and also check the comments to make sure that they are still needed.
3 shower mats
3 shower curtains
5 bicycle bells – those metal kind that attach to the handle bar – nothing that needs batteries. These are for patients to use as call buttons.
All kinds of toiletries for both men and women. They do have some of this available in the PX, but quantities and variety are very limited. They would all enjoy some nice name brand items from back home.
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap, Body Wash
Deodorant
Lotion
Shaving supplies
Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
Lip Balm
Candy [not stuff that will melt in the heat]
Snacks [long shelf life is better]
shelf stable microwavable foods
What you cannot send:
anything with pork in it
explosives, including fireworks
large amounts of religious material [i.e. 1 bible is ok, 10 is not]
alcoholic beverages
porn
Boxes should be free of extraneous markings and if reused all info not pertaining to this shipment should be blacked out or covered with opaque tape. You can get flat rate boxes for free from the postal service – they will even send them to you – there is a special APO box that is $10.95 to ship regardless of weight. There are also other Priority Mail boxes available for free.
Thanks in advance. I will add to this list if she lets me know of other needs. Their hospital serves not just the military but civilians as well, so your generosity will have a very long reach. Please let me know in the comments if I have left out any important info.
have a great Sunday!
***Late addition: Lauren asks that you make sure to include your email address on your note, so that she and others in her unit can write to thank you! Also, she notes that Tootsie rolls, M&Ms and Little Debbie snacks all seem to make it there in good condition. Not that she is jonesing for chocolate or anything :) ***
This is just wonderful! I’ll send a box on Tuesday (first free day)
I’ll come back here to check what others have sent and will then leave a comment as to what’s in my box!
Thank you for helping us do this!
That’s wonderful that you posted that! While my Hubby was in Iraq (and other equally non-holiday type of places) the heat about knocked him over, so I am sure she’s enjoying this pictures.
Just “think snow” Lauren, and BLESS YOU for our liberties we enjoy because of your sacrifice!
I just read this to the kids and their eyes lit up. I have to make a post office run on Tuesday anyway, so I’ll head to the grocery with the kids first. What fun!
Have you been to http://imbeingheldhostage.blogspot.com/
this afternoon? The bovines are having much fun there.
Thanks everyone who gets a chance to send some stuff. We are also reaching out to some units outside of this installation. They get next to nothing and we send them what we can. Anything you can send it much appreciated.
Thank you too mom that is more well written then I could have possibly put it.
-Lauren
This daughter/granddaughter/niece is ending a package posthaste. kisses to another Lauren and company.
this sounds like a great project for this week!
thanks for the info.
What a great thing to be able to do. I will head off to the Christmas Tree shop and buy it out. OK, so it’s also a good excuse to go there. ;)
great idea. they could use all the support they can get.
=)
Leaving for Buffalo for 5 days but Michael is taking care of the apartment and dogs and I will have my 2nd Lieutenant make a store run for me and get a box in the mail. He also is a chocolate freak so you’re in luck, Lauren. Thanks for letting us know, dlyn, and Lauren, give your friends a hug and my thanks for serving their country.
I’ve got a hectic week so I just made a huge note to come back and make my list of things to put in a package to Lauren! Wonderful thing to do…God bless you and our guys and gals!
If you want to get a little crazy with it, I can foward Lauren’s address to the after school program at home. They like to have the kids make up letter for those stationed over seas a couple time a year.
Thanks for the info. … Take care.
This is my reason to blog today. Check it out. I linked to you and Lauren and asked my readers to link as well. We should be able to get a ton of stuff out to them. I know you must be missing your girl so much. We are thinkig of her and keeping watch on her through her blog.