Wreaths Across America

Sponsor a wreath for a Veteran's grave

OCP has teamed up with Wreaths Across America
We are excited about this campaign, since it's a great way to support our Veterans and also help send Care Packages to our Troops.
Over 1500 Wreahs were placed by OCP volunteers for 2010
Thank you all for your support
Sponsorships of wreaths are taken year round


You can order online at
http://www.wreaths-across-america.org
Enter our Group ID # ILOCP 0001
and the National Cemetery of your choice
Or you can sponsor through the mail and pay by check.
These wreaths are placed on 'any Veterans' grave
We are unable to do grave specific
Only exceptions are:
If you attend the Ceremony at Abraham Lincoln
You can place the grave specific you sponsored

Read Details

Sewing

Support our Troops by sewing a Hygiene Bag
Free Patterns and Information:
http://www.thecreativethimble.com/FreePatterns/US%20Troop%20Bag.pdf

Small Drawstring Bag

You can mail finished bags to:
Operation Care Package
611 Wilcox St.
Joliet, Il. 60435

Other sewing projects include:
Cool scarves - Travel Pillows - Back & Neck warmers - Draw string Bags
Neck gators - Twin Size Quilts For more info contact:
Debbie @ proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.net

Greeting Cards For Troops By ORCAS

A wonderful Orgnaization ORCAS
Oregon Coast Avid Stampers
Supplies OCP with thousands of Handmade Greeting cards so
the toops can have cards to send home to loved ones and friends
Donations or card supplies & handmade cards are always needed
Please contact Claudette Schroeder at 541_764-8914
Or Mail donations of any supplies to:
ORCAS, C/O C. Schroeder
4300 N. Highway 101
Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341
Cards and Supplies are needed 3 months in advance of each Holiday.
For more information regarding these donations,
and items you have available to donate,
please email Claudette at
orcas@jnrcom.com

Other Donations

Items for Raffles & Silent Auctions
always needed to help us raise postage money
These items are normally used when we have an event
Enclosed Trailer Needed
For use of hauling and picking up
OCP items, donations and care packages

For more information regarding these donations,
and items you have available to donate,
please email Debbie at
proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.net

Supply List

The following is a list of items that are especially needed.
For a more complete listing, see our Supply List page.
Thank you.

Cards & letters of support to 'any hero'
Kool Aid Singles - Powdered Pre-Sweetened Drink Mixes
Canned Soups & Fruit
Canned Tuna or Chicken
Ziplock Bags ~ quart ~ sandwich ~ snack ~ gallon
Licorice - Swedish Fish - Fruit Snacks
Batteries AA & AAA
Hand held games, dvds and cds
Hand Held Fans / Flav or Ice
Protien Bars / Jerky
Socks - Mens - white /black - work /crew
Summer sausage, beef sticks or pepperoni sticks (6oz to 12oz size)
Granola Bars, Trail Mix, Nuts (individual sizes)
Zip lock bags (quart and gallon size)
Micro-wave Easy Mac - Instant Oatmeal
Phone cards 120 min AT&T

All donations should be sent to:
Operation Care Package
611 Wilcox Street
Joliet, Illinois
60435

Proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.net

You may also drop off items at the locations below

DROP OFF LOCATIONS

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 school.
Please keep pictures no larger than 8 x 10, to fit nicely in box.
Hand painted regular size pillowcases for our wounded troops in combat hospitals.
Also general hand painted pillowcases for trooops over seas
Fabric Markers work best
Can you sew? 9in x 12in size drawstring bags needed to hold hygiene products for hospital patients.
Be part of the team of OCP Kids Supporting Our Troops!
Visit OCP Kids

Volunteers

Local residents in Chicago, Illinois & surrounding areas.

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 items, and transport to our packing office in Joliet. This could require some heavy lifting.

Customs Forms:

We must fill out a Customs form for every box sent overseas. Filling out the forms in advance saves time.
This can be done at home or at our office and only requires legible handwriting and your time.

Anyone interested in preparing Customs forms to send to us, may obtain them (free of charge) by calling the US Post Office at 800-610-7833 - or check them out online.
(Form #2976-A)
Contact us for instructions.

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 open 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.
Help is especially needed through the Christmas Holidays

This also reguires some heavy lifting and bending, as packages weigh approx 8 to 20 lbs.
Packages are mailed weekly year round.
Any amount of time that can be donated is a huge help.

Thank you.