www.booksforsoldiers.com
This is a great site I’ve been visiting lately. I’ve had to pick up a lot of books that were my mother’s and there is no more room in my house for books, so I’m picking out what would appeal and sending them overseas.
The way the site works, soldiers post their mailing addresses and if they have anything in particular they are looking for, they list it. Some say they’d love anything. Some are looking for books to lift the spirits of other men in their groups. One group requested text books as they are interested in continuing education while they’re stuck out there. They also look for games, dvds, cds, care package stuff (like sunscreen). One guy was sorta hoping someone might send along a mosquito net. I’ve been enjoying seeing the kinds of things they are interested in–it’s quite a varied bunch, ranging from folks who like guns and ammo magazines to folks who are interested in philosophy or romance novels.
You have to sign up, and then print off a form that you take to a notary, sign and notarize it, then mail it to an address given on a site. You get access to the forums where soldiers post their requests in a week to two weeks.