WHAT IS NEEDED

Frequently, a parent or family member of a service man or woman hears "What can I do to help?"  Most often people want to send care packages to the troops.  But, Rio Rancho Blue Star Mothers also see a need in continuing public awareness, welcome home celebrations, and support for service members' families called to duty.  When we say support for those families, it could range from financial to simple household repair.


Donations may be sent via check, money order, or paypal. Checks should be made out to Rio Rancho Blue Star Mothers and mailed to Financial Secretary, Rio Rancho Blue Star Mothers, P.O. Box 15594, Rio Rancho, NM 87174.

Care packages require lots of supplies.  The list below has been compiled from troop requests. Please be sure to include your name and address for a letter of acknowledgment.                                           

For June 19, 2010 mailing
[For pickup or drop-off information, call 604-3424]
(Submit names/addresses for care packages to ramonabauman@rioranchobluestarmothers.org by 06/05/2010)

Food items
Tuna in the pouch Vienna sausages (beef) Small, microwaveable meals (chili, stew)
Mac n’ cheese (w/Velveeta)   Ramen noodles in bowl     Small, individually-packaged nuts
Beef Slim Jim's     Granola or Protein bars     Small, individual packs of trail mix
Small, individual packs of beef jerky      Fruit roll-ups             Small cans of fruit w/pull-tab tops
Coffee or tea singles (wrapped)     Small cans of Salsa     Cans of hot green chili w/pull-tab tops
Small cans of bean dip w/pull-tabs Small cans of “Pringles” chips     Refried beans - dehydrated in bags
Small cans of chicken, corned beef, sardines, smoked salmon or oysters            Individual-size sugar packets
Beans & franks w/pull-tab tops   Small, individual packets of sugared, powdered drinks, e.g., Crystal Lite
Small, individually packaged crackers, crackers & cheese, crackers & peanut butter (be care of the peanut butter warnings)
Individual bags of Tortilla chips, e.g., Fritos
Candy – Big bags are OK as long as individual pieces are wrapped in paper
NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT DONATE (1) CONDENSED SOUPS OR CANNED GOODS REQUIRING OPENERS; (2)                    ANYTHING WHICH MUST BE COOKED BEFORE EATING; (3) ANYTHING IN LARGE BOXES OR CANS AS                    THEY ARE TOO BIG TO FIT IN FLAT-RATE BOXES.

Non-Food Items
Eye Drops   Small, plastic bottles of energy drink
Black or white cotton socks         Nail files/emery boards Small bottles of hand-sanitizer
Q-tips         Individually-packaged Wet-Wipes
Band Aids   Antibiotic salve     Foot care products
Sunscreen           Lip Balm (e.g., Chap Stick)    Black cable ties
Fly Paper           Small mouse traps         Car air fresheners
Anti-Itch Cream         Small, individually-wrapped inspect repellent
Small, individually-wrapped facial tissue Individually-wrapped tampons or sanitary napkins
Chewing gum/bubble gum   Small mouse traps
Black bungee cords with hooks   Panti-liners (used to line helmets to keep sweat from their eyes)
Small funnel to pour Crystal Light and Gatorade powder into their canteens (water tastes nasty)
Hair gel, especially for the women, to keep hair slicked back off face      “Scrunci” items for women
Small, non-breakable mirrors (ideally, 1x on front, 10x on back) Small hair brushes Beanie Babies


            PLEASE DO NOT DONATE ITEMS WHICH WOULD TAKE UP TOO MUCH SPACE IN A FLAT-RATE POSTAL BOX.

Entertainment Items
Music CDs     Movie DVD's      Hacky Sacks      Frisbees      Hand-held video games      Playing cards
Crossword, Sudoku, comic books Small, packaged puzzles Brain teasers Small Nerf balls
Pencils with erasers   Yo-yo's   Small packaged games, e.g., checkers, tic-tac-toe, chess, Monopoly

Thank you for supporting our troops!







Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., is a federally-chartered, tax-exempt 501(c)3 service organization
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