Support our adopted battallion of Marines in Iraq by purchasing items and packing them for shipping. Mariners Military Support Ministry will then forward these boxes on. Following are some suggestions:

Stuff for Kids

Help our Marine battallion in Iraq create peace-building relationships in Fallujah by purchasing things that Marines can carry on patrol and give out to kids. Buy any amount or selection of the items listed below and bring them to the Lighthouse patio kiosk or the MarinersResources.org truck during weekend worship services.

• Soccer balls (deflated please)
• Small toys or stuffed animals (like Beanie Babies)
• Candy that won't melt

Stuff for Soldiers

Lift the spirits of a deployed Marine by preparing a care package filled with things they need or would enjoy. Fill a box with many things or a quantity of one item. As the Chaplain for the 3/5 Marines explained, "Put anything in the box that you would want in you were 10,000 miles from home in the middle of the desert!"

• Food & Drink
  • Crystal light (individual servings)
  • Coffee drinks (individual servings)
  • beef jerky (small packages)
  • gum (chicklets type, no sticks)
  • condiments, hot sauce or tabasco
  • canned nuts
  • wrapped hard candy
  • granola bars or energy bars
  • Top Ramen, Easy Mac, Popcorn (most troops have access to microwaves)
• Personal Care
  • disposable shavers
  • hand lotion
  • eye drops
  • sun block
  • foot powder
  • chapstick wipes for glasses
  • Q-tips
  • muscle rubs, sports cream
• Bibles or Christian Books
  • Select a bible or other literature from the Global Bookstore
• Phone Cards
  • Allow soldiers to make calls home
• Downtime Distractions
  • Music CD's or DVD's
  • Playing cards or board games
  • Magazines or newspapers (no war stories please)
  • retractable black writing pens
  • notepaper, notecards or blank postcards
  • paperback books
  • batteries

Packing Instructions

Volunteers will pack and ship boxes for you, but anything you do will help!

1. Get boxes and Customs Forms at a local US Post Office or at the Lighthouse patio kiosk after weekend services. You will need Customs Form #2976-A and Flat Rate Boxes 8x11.5 or 11 7/8 x 13 5/8.
2. Fill out the "FROM, CONTENTS & DOLLAR VALUE" sections and sign the bottom of the form (box 16).
3. To help defray the cost of shipping you can also include a check for $9.00. Make check payable to Mariners Church and put MSM Care Package on the memo line.
4. Do Not Seal Your Box!