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Reaching Out to Our Heroes At Home and Worldwide.

Adopt a Troop

*This program will be suspended until January 5, 2021 due to a high volume of requests. If you have submitted your request before 12-4-2020, you will still receive your troop to adopt. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.*

Individual volunteers, classes, or groups can meet the needs of a hero directly by adopting a troop*; when you sign up, you are able to ship care packages and letters directly to an individual member of the armed forces.

Troops* available for “adoption” have given Operation Shoebox permission to release their mailing address to a supporter. When the troops sign up to receive a package, we do not ask them to tell us where they are from, what branch they are in or where exactly they are stationed overseas, we do not know this information unless they tell us.

If you are interested in sending letters and packages  directly to our troops* please fill out the form below and our adoption coordinator will contact you with a troop within 3-4 days.

Thank you for supporting our troops deployed outside the USA and letting  them know they are still thought of and cared about.

*A troop is one person from any one of the service branches

All information you provide will be kept confidential.

    First Name (required)

    Last Name (required)

    Company Name

    Street 1 (required)

    Street 2

    City (required)

    State (required)

    Zip Code (required)

    Phone (required)

    Best Time to Call (required)

    Number of Troops to Adopt (required)

    Your E-mail

    Your Message

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    ADOPT A TROOP – FAQ

    How many are in a troop?

    A “troop” is one  individual person and “troops” is multiple. For example, 5 troops would be 5 service members.

     

    What information do we receive on the troops we are adopting?

    We only ask the troops that sign up for their name, address, return date and how many care packages they would like. We do not know their age, what branch they are in or where they are from.

     

    Will we know the specific needs or wants of the troop we are adopting?

    Yes, if the troop shares anything they would like specifically, we will share that with you. However, they do not always ask for anything specific.

     

    If we are adopting more than one troop, will we know the names of the other troop?

    No, the troops do not usually include the names of all of the troops that are stationed with them. However, if they do share that information, we will share it with you when you receive your troop.

     

    Do we have to send care packages monthly?

    No, you do not have to send monthly. You can send as often as you would like.

     

    Will we know where the troops that we are sending to are stationed?

    No, we do not ask them where exactly they are stationed. If they do include that information, we will share it with you when you receive your troop.

     

    What if we sent a letter or care package and haven’t received a response from the troop?

    We would suggest not to ship anymore until you have received a response. Sometimes the troops are in desolate locations where it is hard to send mail, they have been moved or they may have already returned home. Not receiving a response does not mean that your care packages aren’t appreciated, the troops may in areas where they don’t have access to some services.

    Testimonials

    I just want to send a quick note to say “thank you” for all the time you spend putting together your care packages for America’s Service Members! I received one the other day and it is so nice to have some comfort items and necessities. I really appreciate your kindness, caring thoughts and prayers!

    LTC John Hammer

    Thank you for your support. It is amazing to watch the faces of my troop when they receive your gifts of generosity. You lift them up and keep them motivated. Thank you for everything you do.

     

    From: SSG John S

    I would like to thank you for the care packages that you sent to us. It really does mean a lot to my troops and myself when we know there are people who do care for us. We greatly appreciate your efforts in making us feel more at home away from our families. I want to let you know that your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. Thank you again.

    SFC Montalvo

    My name is Sergeant Carlos Valdez. I just received my care package from Operation Shoe Box today and I felt a need to email you guys back home and thank you for all the help and support all the volunteers have given to soldiers like myself. It’s been a while since I received mail here and this was definitely a moral booster. I would also like to thank Eleanor Sullivan from Summerfield Florida for the lovely card sent in my package, please let her know that her kind words didn’t go unnoticed and … Read more

    SGT Carlos Valdez

    I just got one of your packages today and it was awesome!  We got 8 bags, and I dispersed them quickly.  Also, in the bags were some knit beanies.  Man those were awesome!  I will be sending an email soon with a picture of a few of us sporting them!

    Philip C.

    Hello, I would like to extend a warm thank you for all that you all have done for my Soldiers located here in Afghanistan.  I am the First Sergeant for Headquarters Company.  I am just arriving to our final location and this is where we operate from.  I noticed the stockings that were sent and passed out to our Soldiers. I want you to know the looks on their faces were priceless.  Knowing they would be away from family during the holiday this let them know that they are not forgotten, Thanks… Read more

    SFC M M Jr. Task Force Buffalo

    My name is Lewis and I am a Warrant Officer in the US Army stationed at Kandahar, Afghanistan. My unit received your care packages the other day and I want to say thank you! The cookies and Cracker Jacks are always fun to get, but I was mostly touched by a simple handwritten note from Ruth Salerno. The soldiers here do our job because we love our fellowman and we still believe in America. We do not seek accolades, yet I find it very satisfying (and humbling) to know you believe in us. You call u… Read more

    Lewis Thomas

    My name is SPC Tish House, and I am one of the many thankful Soldiers who received your goody bag. Thank you so much for your support, time, and effort. It makes us feel great knowing that someone cares. You all are awesome! God Bless You And Thank You Soooooooo Much!!!

    SPC Tish House

    Thank you for the care packages we received here at FOB Wright, Afghanistan. The care packages truly mean a lot to many Soldiers deployed right now. Because we are in an outlying area, many packages do not get out here fast enough for the Soldiers. When they do receive the care packages, it’s like a piece of home for many. Especially for me, I appreciate the comics, crossword puzzles, and have found good use for the tube socks also. Once again,
    thank you for all of your support.

    Blackwell, William H

    Just a quick note to say thanks for the care packages that you sent over to the 371st SUS BDE. The soldiers really like the items and even more is the fact that there are people like you that care and think about us while we are away from our families. So again I am very thankful to you. Thanks, thanks thanks.

    SSG Rodney Jenkins