The USO of Northern Ohio makes the following suggestions regarding donations to United States forces. For more information:

USO of Northern Ohio
9199 Market Place
Cleveland, OH 44147
440-717-0999
800-503-8766
usocleveland@aol.com
www.usocleveland.org

Phone Cards:

For troops serving overseas, please purchase brand name international phone cards which have "no hidden charges or monthly fees." Please purchase in 120-minute or higher quantities.

For troops serving stateside, purchase any brand name phone cards which have "no hidden charges or monthly fees." These can be in any minute quantity.

Care Packages:

Purchase items listed below in travel/sample sizes. Troops carry everything with them in pockets and backpacks.

The USO accepts donations of these items as well as monetary donations to help defray the cost of postage. Call 440-454-2537 or visit www.usocleveland.org for locations of convenient drop-off points.

 

Food Items	Personal Hygiene
Powder drink mix (hot or cold)	Baby Wipes (resealable packs; not tubs)
Tea bags/Coffee packets	Pocket Tissue Packs
Cup of Soup/Ramen Noodles	Eye Drops (.05 oz)
Granola Bars/Power Bars/Cereal Bars	Hand Lotion
Trail Mix/Raisins	Chapstick/Sun Block
Nuts/Sunflower Seeds (any kind)	Cough Drops
Candy/Gum (wrapped)	Soap (hotel size)/Toilet Paper
Dry Cereal (individual servings)	Deodorant (1.7 oz)
Fruit/Applesauce Cups	Toothpaste/Toothbrush/Dental Floss
Peanut Butter & Jelly	Combs/Brushes (small)
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims	Shaving Cream/Disposable Razors
Seasonings/Condiments	Feminine Products (indivdiually wrapped)
Cookies (individual snack packages)	Powder/Petroleum Jelly
Sugar/Salt/Pepper Packets	Q-tips
Goldfish Crackers	Tweezers/Nail Clippers (finger/toe)
Cracker Jack/Popcorn	Odor Eaters/Boot Insoles
Fruit Roll-ups/Fruit Snacks	Cortisone Cream (anti-itch)

Morale Boosters	Necessities
Disposable Cameras	Bug Lotion
Sunglasses	Zip Lock Bags (all sizes)
Word Puzzle Books	Laundry Detergent (laundromat size)
Travel-size Games/Nerf Toys	Fly Strips/Swatters
Calendars	Dryer Sheets (for bugs/odor)
Magazines (no porn/swimsuit editions)	Air Fresheners/Room Deodorizers (for tents)
Books	Bandaids/Moleskin
Pictures	Advil, Motrin, Aspirin
Stationary/Pens/Envelopes (no stamps)	Foot Powder
AA/AAA batteries	Icy/Hot Patches
Socks (thin black trouser style)	Febreeze (anti-microbial)
Boxers	Clorox Wipes
Olive Green Colored Tee Shirts	Mouthwash/Listerine Strips/Breath Mints
	Duct/Electrical Tape
	Plastic Utensils (spoons, forks, knives)

Writing Letters to the Troops:

For security reasons, names and addresses are not made public, but general letters may be given to the USO to mail. When writing letters to the troops, please:

• Address the letter "Dear Service Member" or "Dear (Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, or Coast Guardsman)"
• Give thanks for serving.
• Indicate that Americans at home appreciate their service.
• Express gratitude for sacrifices being made to protect American freedoms.
• Let them know what is going on at home (i.e., sports, movies, weather) and tell them a little about yourself.

If you would like to include your address, you may hear back from the military personnel who receive your letters.

Operation Baby

The USO provides Baby Sea Bags to new moms. These include a number of items listed below. Each bag has at least one handmade item included. A pattern for the bag itself and a USO patch to sewn on it are available.

 

Blankets: thermal, crib, receiving	Diapers
Wipes	Soap, Lotion, Powder
Towel set	Onesies, Tee Shirt
Sleepers	Bibs
Small toy	Bottles
Boy or Girl outfit	Twin Outfits
Pacifiers	Booties, socks