How can you help our nonprofit send care packages to some of the most remote of the roughly 150,000 U.S. military troops serving overseas in 2024?

1) Donate Financially - Our greatest need is cash for our mailing costs. With no paid staff, we strive to maximize the use of donations. We are a 501(c)(3) charity, so your gifts are tax deductible. We accept checks to Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas, P.O. Box 116691, Carrollton, TX 75011. You can donate via credit card through our Click and Pledge account. Or you can Venmo us at NancyCarter@AirborneAngels.

2) Donate Goods - Our all-volunteer charity is based in the Dallas area, but receives product donations from across the USA for care packages for our Soldiers and Troops overseas. We kindly request that you contact us at support@airborneangelcadets.com before sending any care package goods.

Care Package banner

Care Package banner

What is Requested

In our care packages to American troops in Afghanistan and other overseas posts, we send everything from sheets, towels, fans, food/snacks, socks, coffee, toiletries, games, DVD's, duct tape, batteries, extension cords, tools, bungee cords and converters.

Anything to make their stay a little easier and brighter and to help them feel the comforts of home.  Many of the females do not have access to feminine hygiene products. On occasion, soldiers may have access to PX (post exchange stores) type facilities, but often they do not carry a huge stock and supplies are often depleted.

What types of goods can you donate for soldiers care packages?
(Link to printable PDF list of Items Requested.)

NONFOOD ITEMS:
* Batteries (AA and AAA are often requested), small flashlights
* Antiperspirant / Deodorant (solid only)
* Over the counter medicines - Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Rolaids, Tums
* Razors - disposable
* Shave gel in a tube - NO CANS- Examples: Neutrogena, Cremo, Dove, Crew, etc.
* Toothbrushes (individually packed in original packaging - no multi-packs, please)
* Full size toothpaste tubes (no travel sizes, please)
* Lip balm, Suntan Lotion, bar soap 
* Shampoo (2 in 1 or 3 in 1), Body Wash, Moisturizing Lotion - 10-18 oz
* Baby or adult wipes (soft refill packs - no hard cases)
* Foot powder, Baby powder
* Insect repellant (non aerosol), Disinfectant
* BenGay, Bandaids, First aid kits, eye drops
* Air fresheners - (non aerosol or solid)
* Hand and foot warmer packs
* Socks - plain white or black for men & women (no logos), Thorlos
* Flip flops (for walking to shower facilities)
* Shoe insoles
* Towels - wash clothes, throws
* Black caps, Gloves
* Feminine products - tampons. Feminine Pads and panty liners
* Command or other brand of adhesive hooks
* Tissue packs
* Office supplies - Mechanical pencils, pens
* Used cell phones and inkjet cartridges (we can recycle and use the proceeds for postage)
* Single use laundry detergent (Tide Pods, etc.)
* Ziplock baggies (gallon size only)
* Q tips - Not needed at this time
* Sporting goods (soccer balls, footballs, frisbees) - must fit into 19"x 13"x 10" box- Not needed at          this time
* Playing Cards, Puzzle Books - Not needed at this time
* Brushes and combs - Not needed at this time
* Made in USA dog treats - Not needed at this time
* DVDs, CDs, video games, power converters - No longer needed


FOODS:  
* Coffee - bags of instant or ground, 12 oz (no decaf please)
* K cups - regular only, No decaf
* Nuts (peanuts, almonds, pistachios, etc.), Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin) -
* Candy - individually wrapped hard candy (Chocolates only from October through February)
* Gum
* Tea - Not needed at this time
* Hot Chocolate 
* Drink enhancers - Mio, Crystal light, etc.
* Snacks, Crackers - (No bagged snacks)
* Canned Fruit, Raisins (no cans that require a can opener)
* Powdered drink mixes (Gatorade, Country Time lemonade, etc.) 
* Rice Krispies Treats, Granola, protein bars and Snack bars
* Peanut Butter -16 oz
* Jif to Go, Skippy individual packs/squeezable, plastic squeezable jelly/jam
* Sugar or powdered creamer canisters or individual packets
* Hot sauce in plastic containers, bean dip
* Foil tuna packs
* Beef Jerky (Jack Links, Pemmican, Pecos Bill, Slim Jim, Oberto, etc.)
* Shelf-stable microwavable dinners - Hormel Compleats or Barilla
* Oatmeal in individual packages - Not needed at this time
* Microwavable Popcorn - Not needed at this time
* Lays Stax Chips, Pringles, shoestring potatoes in canisters (no bagged snacks) - Not needed at this time

ITEMS TO AVOID:
* No cans that require a can opener.
* No items packed in glass bottles.
* Pork products (restricted by importing country).
* Chocolates (due to melting) - except from October to February.
* No aerosol products.
* No pudding or fruit cups as these tend to leak.  
* No homemade food products.
* No liquor, flammable-pressurized items, X-rated materials, tobacco.
* No mouthwash with alcohol content.
* No Ramen or noodle cups.
* No bagged snacks such as chips, Goldfish etc that can easily crush. Boxed snacks only


WHAT ITEMS ARE MOST IN NEED:
We welcome any donations of the above products. But some of the items at the top of our wish list are:

1) Shave gel in a tube - NO CANS- Examples: Neutrogena, Cremo, Dove, Crew, etc.
2) Beef jerky & Slim Jims
3) Protein or granola bars
4) Soft packs of baby wipes - refill type ( No plastic containers)
5) Jif to Go peanut butter,  Skippy individual packs/squeezable
6) Coffee - bags of instant or ground, 12 oz (no decaf please), Powdered creamer.
7) Lip balm
8) Foil tuna packs
9) Shelf-stable microwavable dinners - Hormel Compleats or Barilla
10) Eye drops
11) Full size toothpaste tubes (no travel sizes, please)
12) Sunscreen lotion (SPF 30 or higher) pump or squeezable tubes, NO aerosol cans
13) Single use laundry detergent packs (Tide Pods, etc.)  - NO large plastic containers
14) Travel size foot powder


The list is not meant to be comprehensive - just an outline of some items requested. Even simple things like "hooks, clotheslines and clothespins" to hang things in tents are seen as the greatest of gifts.

If you have some items to donate, we ask that you contact us before making any shipments to discuss the logistics. Thanks for your consideration.


You may email Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas at support@airborneangelcadets.com.