How You Can Help
Care Packages
Collect items for our standard care package by hosting a care package drive at your workplace, school, organization or place of worship! You don’t need to know a member of the military to collect items for us to ship. The troops love receiving instant coffee, personal hygiene items, stationery, jerky, and more. Check here for our comprehensive list when you’re gathering items to send us.
Items in bold are ones that we send to troops in our care packages. Other items are frequently requested by the troops and may be sent by individuals in their packages.
CANDY
• Candy (heat resistant)
• Fruit Breezes (throat drops)
• Twizzlers
DENTAL
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Mouthwash
DRINK
• Coffee (instant)
• Coffee Creamer
• Individual Size Drink Mixes
FOOD (including dry goods, snacks)
• Oatmeal (instant)
• Ramen Noodles-any flavor
• Bars (Clif or Balance)
• Beef Jerky or SlimJims
• Granola Bars
• Individual Crackers or Cookies
• Canned Fruit (pop top cans)
• Gum
• Sugar packets
• Ravioli (pop top cans)
• Tuna Kits
TOILETRIES/HYGIENE
• Baby Wipes
• Feminine Hygiene Products (for female soldiers)
• Travel size body wash
• Deodorant
• Foot Powder
• Hand Lotion
• Q-Tips
• Razors (disposable)
• Shampoo
• Sunscreen
• Tylenol (individual packets)
Other
• Writing Paper and Envelopes
• Pens/Pencils
• Batteries (AA, 9v, D,…)
• Bug Spray (must be packaged in zip-lock bag)
• Duct Tape
• Flashlights (mini/mag lite, extra bulbs, lots of batteries)
• Fans (battery powered – small – with extra batteries)
• Fly Strips
• Fly Swatters
• Socks (cushioned white calf high)
ENTERTAINMENT
• Playing Cards
• Crossword Puzzles
• Hand held electronic games
• Sodoku Puzzles
Letter Writing
We include a letter from home in every package sent. Volunteering to write letters to deployed service members is a meaningful way to support and uplift those who are serving their country. It’s a simple act that can have a profound impact on their well-being and remind them of the importance of their service. We encourage you to include your children. Our soldiers enjoy handwritten letters and drawings from children; it may remind them of their own! Please feel free to include your return address as you may receive a response from the troop your message reached.
Send your completed letters to be included in packages to the following,
Operation Shoebox
8360 E Hwy 25
Belleview, FL 34420
Please use the template below for inspiration to personalize your own letter.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]
Dear Troop,
I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to reach out and express my heartfelt gratitude for your service to our country. Your dedication, bravery, and sacrifice are truly commendable, and I am incredibly grateful for your commitment to protecting our freedoms.
As you carry out your mission far away from home, please know that you are not alone. Your fellow citizens stand behind you, supporting you every step of the way. We appreciate the sacrifices you and your family are making, and we hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
I can only imagine the challenges and uncertainties you face on a daily basis, but please remember that your strength and resilience inspire us all. Your unwavering commitment to duty serves as an example to others, and your service embodies the very best of our nation.
While you may be far from home, I hope this letter brings you a sense of connection and reminds you of the love and support that surround you. Your selflessness does not go unnoticed, and your sacrifice does not go unappreciated.
Once again, thank you for your service, dedication, and sacrifice. Please take care of yourself and know that we eagerly await your safe return.
With deepest gratitude and warmest regards,
[Your Name]
Candy Donations
Christmas! Easter! Halloween!
Operation Shoebox volunteers love packing boxes year-round with candy, but especially for the holidays. Collect bags of individually wrapped candies; heat-resistant candy is best in warm seasons. Mail your candy donation to:
Operation Shoebox
8360 East Highway 25
Belleview. Fl. 34420
Cell Phone Donations
Think of Operation Shoebox when you upgrade your cell phone: you may not want an old phone anymore, but we do! When you collect old cell phones and donate them to us, we recycle them. The money earned by recycling old cell phones is used to purchase phone cards for soldiers to call home and to cover shipping costs.
To host a used cell phone drive, click here to obtain shipping labels to send 10 or more phones to our recycling partner.
Craft Patterns
Stockings and hats and bags! Oh My!
Do you love to sew? Do you love to use your crafting skills to show love and support to others? Whether you are an individual or you belong to a crafting circle or quilting guild, we need your skills.
> Click Here For Stocking Pattern <
Every Christmas, we ship handmade Christmas stockings to our troops (in 2012, Operation Shoebox shipped 25,385 stockings).
> Click Here For Caps Pattern <
Year round, we receive heartfelt thanks for the handknit and crocheted caps that make their way into care packages; these especially make a difference in regions where temperatures drop at night.
> Click Here For Ditty bags Pattern <
Ditty Bags are used by members of the armed forces to carry small items – continue to be a practical gift as well.
Ink Cartridges
Don’t throw away that old ink cartridge! Collect used ink cartridges with the inkheads intact. Ship them to Operation Shoebox at the address below so that we can raise postage money by recycling them.
If you hold an ink cartridge drive and you collect large qualities, please contact us to request boxes, labels and posters from our recycling company.
Operation Shoebox
PO Box 1465
Belleview, FL 34421-1465
**Please compare all used ink cartridge donations with the list below to ensure compatibility**
M3240G/A
M4609G/A
M8041G/C
N-700
LC11BK
LC11CL
BX 3
BC 01
BC 02
BC 05
BC 06
BC 20
BC 22
BC 23
BX 2
BX 20
33709
337710
337711
337714
337715
7Y743
7Y745
A920
AJ740
337715
51633M
C6659 (59)
C6656 (56)
C6657 (57)
C6658 (58)
C8727 (27)
C8728 (28)
51625A/G
51649A (49)
C1816
C6614A/D (20)
C6625A/D (17)
C8765 (94)
C8766 (95)
C9348 (96)
C9363 (97)
C9369 (99)
C9368 (100)
51626A/G (26)
51629A/G (29)
51645A/D (45)
C1823A/D/G (23)
C6578A/D (78)
C6615A/D (15)
18L0042 (83)
18L0032 (82)
17G0060 (60)
17G0055
17G0050 (50)
16G0065
16G0055
15M0125
15M0120 (20)
13620HC
13619HC
13400HC
12A1995
12A1990 (90)
12A1985
12A1980 (80)
12A1975
12A1970 (70)
10N0026 (26)
10N0016 (16)
1380620
1380619
Lexmark 31
Lexmark 32
Lexmark 33
Lexmark 34
Lexmark 35
UXC70B
AJ-C50B
8R 7880
8R 7881
8R 7882
8R 788
8R12591
