Thanks to a security flaw in our Media Gallery software we have had to disable the gallery and forum until some new patches can be instaloled. Since I am actually on vacation it will be about 10 days until these features are available again. Thanks for your patience!

  ***I am still working on the fix for this issue. The software developers are assisting so we should have a solution soon.****

  Lordzmom

 

Thank you so very much to KEYSTONE SOLDIERS for allowing me to continue to volunteer for your organization. You have truly been a blessing and answer of prayer. Keep up the good work and blessed be.

****Keystone Note: This is why we are here and this is what we do every day. Please consider making a donation for postage and let us get the most needed and requested items to the troops they will help the most! Thanks! ~Lordzmom****

By Samantha L. Quigley American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2009 - A recent increase in mail addressed to "Any Servicemember" has prompted the Military Postal Service Agency to remind the general public not to send mail or care packages addressed in such a manner. "Mail to 'Any Servicemember/Any Wounded-Recovering Warrior,' deposited into a collection box and erroneously accepted at a United States Postal Service post office will not be delivered," MPSA officials said in a news release. "This restriction applies to all classes and types of mail." The Defense Department suspended the "Any Servicemember" and "Operation Dear Abby" programs in 2001 following the terrorist attacks. The policy was adopted as a way to bolster force protection. "Even though these programs may provide an excellent means of support to deployed personnel and wounded-recovering warriors, they also provide an avenue to introduce hate mail and hazardous substances or materials into the mail system," MPSA officials said in the release. The Dear Abby program, founded by the newspaper advice columnist, delivered mail to U.S. servicemembers overseas during the holiday season for 25 years. "Any Servicemember" mail grew out of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Since shortly after the start of recent operations in the Middle East, many grassroots organizations have made sure servicemembers know they're remembered. Those interested in writing to servicemembers can visit the Defense Department's Community Relations Web site and click the "Citizen Support" link on the right side of the page to find groups that support troops with letters.

Current Wish List for Care Packages:

This list is current and updated on May 15th, 2009. Our packages go to all branches of the military and to locations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea and any other troops who request support from home. All items are sorted and packed according to the requests we get directly from the troops or their families. Our mailing address is posted at the top of the page. Please use the street address ONLY for shipping via UPS, FedEx, DHL or common carrier! For all mail and packages via USPS you must use the Fleetwood post office box.                     

• *Cold drink mixes – Gatorade, Crystal Lite, Kool Aid or the individual flavor straws you add to bottled water
• Ground Coffee (not instant) and hot tea. Coffee creamer and sugar packets too!
• *Power Bars, cereal bars, trail mix, granola bars and healthy snacks
• Ramen Noodle packs (the big cups are hard to pack and limit what we can fit in the packages)
• *Slim Jims, *Beef or Turkey Jerky
• Microwave Popcorn                                                                                                                                              
• Sunflower Seeds & Nuts
• ***Individual snacks like chips, crackers, cookies, cheese/cracker kits
• *Peanut Butter & Jelly – small size plastic jars please
• Small sewing kits and manicure kits
• ***Sunscreen and insect repellent, Chap Stick with sunscreen, Carmex, Blistex                                              
• **Body wash mens and ladies
• Shampoo - mens and ladies
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Deodorant
• ***Foot Powder and foot cream for athlete's foot
• Odor Eaters (for boots), Dr. Scholl's foot pads, blister pads
• Hand Sanitizer - small size bottles to carry with them
• Shave cream – non-aerosol only and good razors  
• Mens and Ladies underwear in sizes Small, Med, Large
• Mens and Ladies calf high socks or boot socks in black or white.
• New or used game systems like PS3, PS2, WII, Xbox or Xbox 360
• Video games for the systems above or small hand-held games
• **CDs and DVDs - New or used are fine. Current releases are appreciated
• *AT&T Global Pre-Paid Calling Cards (available at www.aafes.com)
• Money for shipping costs. Please!  

* = Items most needed or requested by the troops! 

****Monetary donations are needed to help us ship the care packages. This is always our biggest need by far. Shipping costs have increased and another increase is expected in May. We really need to be able to get the packages out every week. We ship Wednesday and Saturday and are currently sending at least 50 boxes every week. There are over 7,000 new troops deployed in January who will be counting on us to send them some love and cheer from home!

You can print this list to share with others or take shopping with you by clicking the link at the top of the article! You are welcome to print as many copies as you like so please pass them on to others who are interested in supporting our troops.

 Be sure to read the information on the peanut butter recalls on our website before shipping the donations to us. The safety of the troops is our first priority!

 Please do not send any more cans of vegetables or outdated food items. They cost a lot to throw away. We do NOT need any more books right now. Please consider sending underwear or DVDs instead.

Keep reading....lots more info.....