Soldiers Angels - adopt a soldier

I just wanted to say "Thank you" for creating this type of swap and thinking of those men and women giving of themselves - my son is deployed in Iraq until September and our family and friends send packages with items for him to share with the others too.

I'm liking this swap!! I've been participating with SoldiersAngels for 6 years now and it's a great organization!

At my work, Borders cafe (which has recently been closed), we asked for people to donate coffee bags to soldiers overseas for this organization... great idea for a swap!!!

Wow, this is amazing :) I am watching for now as I am unable to predict right now if this is something I would be able to continue for the duration of their deployment but the website has so many options on how to give. This is a WONDERFUL swap!!

I just joined Soldiers' Angel after seeing this listing. What a great idea!

I just joined too - what a great advertisement for a group I wouldn't have known about otherwise.. I have my adopted soldier already (for a small donation you are approved immediately) and can't wait to get started.

it's so wonderful to hear how all of you are inspired from this swap... <3 that was my goal!!! :o) THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! :o)

I've had three packages go out already. Will definitely need ideas for future packages! :o)

I always love hearing about new ideas and what people are sending. I TRY to fill the box i'm sending out with the following months' "THEME" for february (which I sent out in January) I just filled it with EVERYTHING red!!! lots of extra little boxes of candy hearts for my soldier to share. :o) for march (which I sent out in February) I filled it with everything GREEN!!! i'm having lots of fun doing it that way. then the months where there isn't really a theme to go with it, i'll just send lots of toiletries, magazines, candy, etc.

Cake in a jar

If you haven't already heard of this awesome care package item, you're about to stumble upon something awesome!!! These are GREAT and just something that's homemade to include in a care package.

It's basically a mini cake inside of a mason jar. It arrives moist and fresh and tasty! (did I mention it's homemade??)

Here's how to make them:

Get wide-mouth canning jars. You can find them at Walmart, other stores, or online. Boil the jars to sterilize.

1 package of cake mix or any cake recipe

1. Make the cake batter according to the instructions or recipe

2. Grease the jar by liberally spraying the inside with cooking spray

3. Fill jar no more than 1/2 way with batter

4. Place jars on cookie sheet on rack in the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean @ 400 degrees

5. While baking, boil jar lids in a pan of water

6. When cake is done, take on jar out at a time and cover with hot lid. Screw on jar ring tightening it slightly

7. The lid will seal as it cools. Listen to hear the "ping" as they seal.

8. As the cake cools, it will pull away frm the jar slightly. That's ok, it just means that it will slide out of the jar easily.

9. DO NOT FROST cake in the jar! Send frosting along.

10. Make sure you wrap the jars well (bubble wrap is preferrable, but wadded newspaper or clothing and other items will pad it too)

Don't forget to include a couple of plastic knives for the frosting and some plastic forks.

Oh really? Can those be sent internationally? Especially the middle east?

agreed with @nichole2203 Afghanistan? Also you have to include a declaration form with what's in the package.

yes, i've been sending them to my soldiers... they LOVE it!!!!

PLEASE check out this link you guys...............

http://soldiersangelsmedical.blogspot.com/2011/03/want-to-adopt-small-medic-unit-ive-got.html

Can I ask you, I must be dense>I sent my soldiers name and address to her and told her what he liked and disliked and what his needs were and his wishes for packages, I received from my person, just things that she has sent previous to men in the service. Are we to just keep sending to just our soldier letters and presents once a month> and use the ideas we receive from our partner so we can send some of that stuff???? \ maryannr1742@aol.com maryannr1742

Thank you. MaryAnn

Forgot to ask you?Do you just get one of those boxes from the post office and fill it for certain amount of money or what???? Never sent packages before, but have sent letters???

Thank you.

maryannr1742

Yes, I think that we are just getting ideas from our assigned partners to send to our soldier(s).

You can send whatever you like to the solider. There are a lot of suggestions on the Soldier's Angel site. Just make sure you don't send anything thats not allowed through customs in that country (you can look it up online at www.USPS.com)

Good luck!

so sorry I haven't replied.... been kinda crazy around here. nichole2203 is right... get/share ideas from/to assigned partners, and send letters/packages to your adopted soldier

wanted to share these links to make neck coolers for the soldiers... with it getting to be spring/summer, the temps are going to be WAY up in the 100's... (my hubby was there when there were 140 degree days!!!) these would be GREAT to make and send to soldiers!!!

http://www.p2designs.com/shipcooler.htm

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-1782-1.htm

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=233136

Great idea for the neck coolers! Will try this out. :o)