See below for ways you can support our troops

Troop Support Photos
(More photos at the SAMS Website)

Blue Star Moms - Sacramento

Please email us at support@sacramentoBlueStarMoms.org to add your deployed loved one's name to our care package list. 

	***Individual items are best***    Highlighted items are needed most THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
CANDY Candy - All Fruit Breezes (throat drops) Twizzlers CORRESPONDENCE Writing Paper/Envelopes/Greeting Cards Pens/Pencils/Pencil Sharpeners DENTAL Floss Mouthwash (small containers) Toothbrushes Toothpaste DRINKS Coffee (instant) Coffee Creamer - powder Gatorade Powdered Drink Mixes Tea Mixes (sweet) (or tea bags) FOOD (including dry goods, snacks) Sugar, Salt & Pepper Packets Protein/Energy Bars Jerky Canned Fruit (pop top cans no plastic) Canned Meat (pop top cans no plastic) Cereal (in small boxes)/Granola Bars Condiments Packages (ketchup, mayo etc.) Cookies/Girl Scout Cookies Instant Soups (TopRamien, Cup of Soup) Gum Oatmeal (instant)	Pop-Tarts Ravioli (pop top cans) Tuna Kits GAMES Board Games Checkers (travel size) Chess (travel size) Puzzles/Crossword Puzzles Playing Cards MUSIC/MOVIES CD Fanny Packs CDs/DVDs Harmonicas PRINTED MATERIALS Books (paperbacks) Newspapers (local) Magazines (current) TOILETRIES/HYGIENE Baby Wipes (indiv. packs) Nose spray Cold Water Wash (Woolite) Eye Drops Deodorant Feminine Hygiene Products Foot Powder Hairbrushes Hand Lotion Hand Sanitizers (indiv. size)	Nail Clippers Lip Balm Q-Tips Razors (disposable) Shampoo/Conditioner Soap Sunscreen Tissues (indiv. packs) Toilet Paper (including travel size) Tylenol (individual packets) Wash Cloths OTHER Plastic spoons/forks/knives American Flags (small) Baggies (all sizes with zip lock) Batteries (all sizes) Bug Spray Duct Tape Disposable Cameras Flashlights (mini) Fans (small – with extra batteries) Fly Strips Pre-Paid Phone Cards Shoe Insole Cushions Socks (cushioned) T-Shirts Sunglasses (black – no brand names)

(More info on what to send - scroll down)

Family and friends of deployed Army Personnel in Afghanistan can now send a HooahMail letter to be downloaded, printed, and ready for delivery, usually within 24 hours. THE SERVICE IS FREE, PRIVATE and SECURE

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card
and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq.
You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

Note: No service personnel can receive mail not addressed to them by name.

Here is another site worth visiting.  They support the families of our military who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan
Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund

Patriot Guard Riders
PGR is very active in the Northern California area supporting welcome home events at the airports as well as veteran funerals and other ceremonies.

Knitting wool helmet liners for the troops:
If any of you want to help, go to www.geocities.com/helmetliner  for information.

Note: No service personnel can receive mail not addressed to them by name. 
Do not send mail to  "A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center"
The Post Office has been directed not to deliver such mail.  See below for some better ideas.

 
Want to support to a Soldier in harm's way, but have no idea of what to send, who to send it to, or how to send it?

http://anysoldier.com/ (This links also to Any Marine, Airman, and Sailor)

You can donate money which ALL goes to sending support.  You can just send a letter or you can send a generic care package, or you can pick out something specific that our troops really need and send that.  Read the FAQ on the website.  (More information below) 

Here's the "top ten" from some infantry soldiers recently returned from Iraq:

Gatorade and other powdered drink mixes
Babywipes and Toilet paper
Q-tips and Pipe cleaners
Cigarettes (menthol) and Skoal
Hard candies, nuts, jerky

Hi there, this is LT Bob Moore (USN). I’m happy to see that there is so much support for the troops. I just returned from a deployment in Afghanistan and I always enjoyed receiving gift boxes from people all over the country. I can tell you that receiving mail/packages is a HUGE deal to the troops because it lets us know someone cares about us being where we are deployed. The packages and letters I received helped make the days pass and always gave me something to look forward to. You can pass this email along if you’d like because I might be able to shed a little light on what troops are generally looking for. I was in Iraq in 04 and I returned from Afghanistan last month. Here is a list of things I always enjoyed:

Iraq
Gatorade powder
The single packages of those drink powders that you put into a bottle of water
Gift cards for AAFES - http://www.aafes.com/
Beef jerky
Good sun block (45spf or higher)

Afghanistan
Warm socks/gloves and undergarments – it gets extremely cold in Afghanistan
Mosquito repellant (the lotion kind)
Good coffee for those cold mornings – coffee mugs and travel cups also.

General items for any soldier in both countries
Candies, spicy foods (rice crackers, spicy peanuts, etc. - foods with flavor) The Dining Facilities (DFACs) serve rather bland foods. Word puzzle games – there’s dozens of little pocket book game books. Name brand shampoos and soaps -  the BX/PX, if there’s one near you, only sells a few generic brand toiletries. Fingernail clippers, Q-tips, chap stick, etc are good things to send as well. 

I got packages from quite a few people that I didn’t know and you have no idea how good it makes you feel to hear from people that support you. It’s an uplifting experience and keeps the troops moral as high as can be expected.

Thanks again and support those deployed! Take it from me, in that environment, they deserve it!

Bob Moore LT, USN