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10 simple, inexpensive
(some free!) and FUN ways to support our troops
Our Troops Need Our Support! Here are 10 simple, inexpensive (some free!) and FUN ways to support our troops:
1. Collect hotel and sample sized toiletries.
Everyone has a bag full at home! Ask your local drug store for free
samples of lotion, etc. At conventions, ask those with you to give you
their unused toiletries. Casinos will donate playing cards. Ask
insurance and real estate agents for small calendars. Talk to your
letter carrier about extra in the mail samples,  too. Ask your neighbors, church, and club groups to collect items, too.
2. Call your dentist and ask for a donation of toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash.
Ask other dentists, too. I happened to see an office, walked in, and
received a call the next week to pick up 300 (each) toothbrushes,
floss, and toothpaste! Call your medical doctor, dermatologist, etc.
and ask for samples!
3. Collect those free charity greeting cards and stickers that come in the mail,
and onesy twosy boxed cards that you have left from the holidays. They
can all be sent to the troops to send home! Ask your local card shop
for unused envelopes. Stickers are also great. We send them to the
troops to use on their letters home.
4. Conduct a neighborhood scavenger hunt.
Take the “shopping list” and have kids go through the neighborhood
asking for donations. Give the list to your kids/grandkids and let them
go through your house! You may also conduct a neighborhood drive by
asking a grocery store for brown bags and stapling the shopping list to
it. Write on the list a day that you will drive by and collect the bags
left on front porches. This could also be done through a church or
school, handing each person a bag with list.
5. Pick one item from our shopping list (such as black socks), and  spread
the word that you are collecting this one item for the Troops. This is
a great, easy way to make a big impact. Be creative and tie the item
into a holiday. For example, start a “Mom’s love the Troops” drive
before Mother’s Day, and collect packages of briefs and panties.
Everyone knows the stories about Moms always worried about clean
underwear!
6. Utilize your connections. If you know hotel workers, ask about hygiene products, etc.
7. Donate condiment packets from restaurants. Soy sauce, catsup, etc. make those MREs a bit tastier. (Be sure to pack in zip locks in case they break open.)
8. Volunteer your time at a care package assembly or other event.
9. Start a letter writing campaign in your local schools, churches, and organizations. Getting mail from “home” is the highlight of the Troops’ day.  Young children can draw pictures. Be sure to add a return address so the Troops can write back!
10. Ask people to donate money to cover shipping costs. At
roughly $1 a pound, it is the program’s largest expense. 100% of all
donations are used for care package items, or to pay shipping costs.
Checks should be made payable to Red Cross Operation: Care and Comfort,
and donations may be made online, too.
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Click on the button and you will be taken
to a secure page where you can enter your name, address, credit card
number
and the amount that you want to donate. In the area designated for
program, be sure to select the Operation Care and Comfort Program. When
you have submitted the
information you will be given a receipt that you can print out for your
files. Thank you.
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As always, please feel free to call me if you have any questions!
Julie
DeMaria troopsupport@comcast.net
Red Cross Operation: Care and Comfort
www.OperationCareAndComfort.org
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