Send Santa To The Troops 2012

Operation Care Package relies on patriotic Americans to help us continue our efforts of making sure that no Hero serving our country is forgotten.

This is especially true of the fast approaching Holiday Season, with so many of our Troops far from home.

Our goal is to reach 10,000 Troops with Christmas Care Packages.

Thanks for helping us "Send Santa To The Troops!"

Donations & Volunteer Opportunities

Operation Care Package is a volunteer 501(c)(3) public charity.
All donations are tax deductible.

Monetary Donations

All donations are used to help pay shipping costs and items needed that we do not receive from donations. The average shipping cost is approx $13.50 per box.

Donations may be made by check, money order, or paypal. To use paypal, click on the donate button at the Home Page.

Any size donation is greatly appreciated.

Sponsor A Christmas Pack!

These beautiful Christmas Packs include many of the necessities included in our regular packages, along with loads of treats from Santa!

Donation: $30.00
Read Details

Wreaths Across America
Sponsor A Wreath For A Veteran's Grave

Operation Care Package has teamed up with Wreaths Across America.
Your sponsorship will help get more wreaths to Veteran Cemeteries
and help us get more Christmas Packages to our Troops.
Read Details

Christmas Shopping

Here's a great way to Support our Troops while you shop for Christmas!
OCP has joined iSearchiGive and GoodSearch.
Hundreds of great participating stores will donate a percentage of your order to us,
to be used for shipping costs of the Care Packages.
Follow the links below & click on "Shopping"

Stamp 'N For The Troops

We are asking all Americans if they would consider donating one First Class Stamp to be used for postage for cards, letters, and Care Packages.
Read Details

Operation Christmas Stocking

We need 10,000 Stockings that we can stuff and add to the Christmas Care Packages.
(Approx 12-16 inches tall x 5-6 inches wide)
Stockings can be made of fabric or felt.
No special pattern needed

Read Details

Hygiene Bags

Support our Troops by sewing a Christmas Hygiene Bag
At this time only mini drawstring bags needed.
approximate size 4in wide x 7in tall any cotton material any patterns.

"Wish List"

The following is a list of items that are especially needed to add Holiday cheer to packages.
We start packing & Mailing November 23rd 2012

Thank you.

Cards & letters of support to 'any hero'
Coffee (singles - 2lb bags or cans)
Hot Chocolate & Hot Cider Packets
Cookies (small individual packs)
Chocolate bars & kisses
Canned Chili, Stews, Soups, Ravioli
Vienna sausage, Tuna, Chicken or Salmon
Canned Fruit, Dried Fruit or Fruit Snacks
Batteries AA & AAA
Hand held games, dvds and cds
Sweat pants, blankets and blanket throws
Socks - Mens - white /black - work /crew
Summer sausage, beef sticks or pepperoni sticks (6oz to 12oz size)
Granola Bars, Trail Mix, Nuts (individual sizes)
Small Christmas trees - 8 to 18 inches tall
Zip lock bags ( snack, sandwich, quart and gallon size)
Popcorn balls / Carmel corn
Phone cards 120 min AT&T
Little Stockings (Approx 12-16 inches tall x 5-6 inches wide)
Hand made ornaments (no glass please) kids crafts
Dvd Players
iTunes, Walmart, Best Buy Gift Cards, etc.
Hand made cards & letters & color pages from Kids

Special requests we have been receiving, if anyone can help:
Small mircowaves, alarm clocks, Mag Lites,
Any type of musical instruments, new or used: guitars,
Harmonicas, horns, small keyboards, melodicas,
Mircophones, small karaoke machines & music.
Also, grappling gloves, weight lifting gloves, adult jump ropes
Sports jerseys, Harley shirts, Nascar ( FOR GIFTS)

All donations should be sent to:

Operation Care Package
611 Wilcox Street
Joliet, Illinois
60435

Proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.net

~ Drop Off Locations ~

OCP Kids

Nothing brings a smile to a soldier's face like a letter from a kid.
We would like to receive hand drawn pictures and letters from children in schools, groups, individuals, Confirmation classes, Sunday Schools, etc.

PLEASE NO PERSONAL CHILDRENS INFO
Such as home addresses or emails...for their safety, too

Below are Christmas Color Pages that can be used.

Click to view and print.
Note: For best printing results, click to view, then right click
and "save as" to your computer.
Print full page.

CHRISTMAS STOCKING

CHRISTMAS TREE

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS

JUGGLING SNOWMAN

ORNAMENTS

SANTA'S SLEIGH

THREE KINGS

NEW!

DOG TAGS

SANTA BRINGS GIFTS

ELF

JUST SANTA

Send Color Pages to:
OCP Kids
611 Wilcox Street
Joliet, Illinois
60435

Be part of the team of OCP Kids helping to send "Santa" on his way to our Troops!

OCP Kids
Enter

Santa's Helpers

Local residents in Joliet, Illinois & surrounding areas.

Christmas Packing:

To be announced after NOV 1st 2012
Christmas Packing Starts NOV 23rd 2012
Goes through DEC 10th 2012
10 AM - Till aprroximately 4 PM Dailey weekends included.
For large groups or special day & times please
email ahead of time: Proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.net
Drop off items will be accepted at this location, too, during those dates.
We will be closed December 14th & 15th 2012, so our volunteers can attend
the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Il.

Donation Boxes:

OCP is in need of areas to leave drop off boxes.
If you know of a grocery store or business with a central location that would allow us to leave a box, please contact us.
Volunteers are also needed to pick up donated Christmas items, (also, on a regular basis) and transport to our packing office in Joliet. This could require some heavy lifting.

Inspection & Sorting of Items:

As donated items come in, they must be inspected and sorted into different categories. Items must be appropriate for sending - no opened food packages, checking for expiration and sorting into areas....hygiene, food, items for the kids, etc.

Bagging:

Donated items are all placed into ziplock bags. Examples are: snacks, hygiene, canned foods in bags, etc. This protects the contents of the package against leakage, should any part of the package get crushed during shipment. We also need individuals to bag separate 'hygiene packs'.

Packing Boxes:

Once items are sorted and bagged, they are placed into the boxes. Boxes need to be taped, packed tightly, letters enclosed - and then, closed, taped and stacked.

Trucks and Vans:

We are in need of local residents who have a pick-up or van and are willing to help haul care packages to the post office.
This also requires some heavy lifting and bending, as packages weigh approx 8 to 20 lbs.
Although packages are mailed weekly year round, there will be large shipments on a daily basis between Nov. 23rd - Dec. 15th.
Any amount of time that can be donated is a huge help.

Let's all help "Send Santa To The Troops" this Holiday Season.
Thank You!

Music: Joy To The World by Mannheim Steamroller, from the album Christmas In The Aire. We hope you will support these gifted artists.