The Fort Knox Gold Vault Chapter of AFCEA International is conducting a care package drive for deployed soldiers during the Christmas season. Chapter members may bring some of the items listed below to our December General Membership meeting. During that meeting we will conduct chapter business while loading boxes to be sent to service members. Boxes and shipping will be provided by the chapter. How can you help? Bring some of the items listed below and help load the boxes during the meeting.  Boxes will be shipped the week following the meeting in order to reach the troops prior to Christmas.

Personal and Practical Items

• High-quality socks (I have to put this first, because some high-quality socks will make the toughest soldier smile with delight)
• Soap (shampoo, body wash, face wash, etc.)
• Toothpaste, toothbrush and floss
• Deodorant (travel size/non-aerosol)
• Lip balm
• Foot powder
• Baby wipes
• Sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer
• Pain-relieving topical cream (not a necessity, but can be a real luxury)
• Vicks VapoRub
• Hand Warmers
• Sewing kits
• Lens cleaning cloths

Downtime Activities

• Reading material (magazines, books or an e-reader like a Kindle)
• Handheld video games
• Board games
• Decks of cards
• iPod or thumb drives with movies, music and pictures
• Puzzles
• Plastic model kits
• Baseball gloves/baseballs
• Batteries (AAs and AAAs)
• Pencils
• 3M wall hooks

Food and Snacks

• Hot sauce (a great commodity to have around, and the convenience of Taco Bell sauce packets are great to have in the field)
• Water flavoring packets (many places we are deployed are very hot, and we need to constantly remain hydrated)
• Beef jerky
• Slim Jims
• Protein bars
• Gum
• Sunflower seeds

Sentimental Things

• Hand written letter with photo.

What not to Send
Not everything is suitable for a care package. Here’s a few things to avoid:

• DON’T send adult entertainment, alcohol or drugs (these items are illegal and can get the soldier in trouble)
• DON’T send aerosols or pressurized products
• DON'T send firearms or ammunition (we're already armed and this is illegal)
• DON’T send perishable foods
• DON’T send an entire box of the same thing unless requested (variety is a good thing)

If you have any questions, please contact a chapter executive committee member or you can speak directly to the President, Michael Tague @ 502-613-7949 ([email protected]) and drop off items in room 6-2-61 (at the AFCEA flag) or the Chairman, Martin Harbolt @ 502-613-7329 and drop off items in room 1-1-38.