You Can Help:
Donating Money

Our program accepts cash donations to cover the cost of shipping packages overseas.

All donations are tax deductible and will be used specifically for this program.

At $1 a pound, donations to cover shipping costs is our greatest need.

Please make checks payable to:

ARC
Operation: Care and Comfort

Please mail checks to:

Operation: Care and Comfort
2392 Walden Square
San Jose, CA 95124

Credit card donations are accepted online.

CONTACT INFO
Co-Founders

  (Click on the name
  to send an email)

Julie DeMaria
TroopSupport
@comcast.net
408.373.8635
   . . . . . . . . .

Cookie Crissman
Cookie
@piperitesystems.com
408.590.0731
   . . . . . . . . .

Randy Bye
occrjb
@yahoo.com 408.577.2192
   . . . . . . . . .

Ten Simple, Inexpensive (Some Free!)
And FUN ways To Support Our Troops

Our Troops Need Our Support! Here are 10 simple, inexpensive (some free!) and FUN ways to support our troops:

1. Collect hotel and sample sized toiletries
   
   Everyone has a bag full at home! Ask your local drug store for free samples of lotion, etc. At conventions, ask those with you to give you their unused toiletries. Casinos will donate playing cards. Ask insurance and real estate agents for small calendars. Talk to your letter carrier about extra in the mail samples, too. Ask your neighbors, church, and club groups to collect items, too.
   
   

2. Call your dentist and ask for a donation of toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash
   
   Ask other dentists, too. I happened to see an office, walked in, and received a call the next week to pick up 300 (each) toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste! Call your medical doctor, dermatologist, etc. and ask for samples!
   
   
3. Collect those free charity greeting cards and stickers that come in the mail
   
   And those onesy twosy boxed cards that you have left from the holidays. They can all be sent to the troops to send home! Ask your local card shop for unused envelopes. Stickers are also great. We send them to the troops to use on their letters home.
   
   
4. Conduct a neighborhood scavenger hunt
   
   Take the “shopping list” and have kids go through the neighborhood asking for donations. Give the list to your kids/grandkids and let them go through your house! You may also conduct a neighborhood drive by asking a grocery store for brown bags and stapling the shopping list to it. Write on the list a day that you will drive by and collect the bags left on front porches. This could also be done through a church or school, handing each person a bag with list.
   
   
5. Pick one item from our shopping list
   
   Items such as black socks), and spread the word that you are collecting this one item for the Troops. This is a great, easy way to make a big impact. Be creative and tie the item into a holiday. For example, start a “Mom’s love the Troops” drive before Mother’s Day, and collect packages of briefs and panties. Everyone knows the stories about Moms always worried about clean underwear!
   
   
6. Utilize your connections
   
   If you know hotel workers, ask about hygiene products, etc.
   
   
7. Donate condiment packets from restaurants
   
   Soy sauce, catsup, etc. make those MREs a bit tastier. (Be sure to pack in zip locks in case they break open.)
   
   
8. Volunteer your time at a care package assembly or other event.
   
   
   
   
9. Start a letter writing campaign in your local schools, churches, and organizations
   
   Getting mail from “home” is the highlight of the Troops’ day. Young children can draw pictures. Be sure to add a return address so the Troops can write back!
   
   
   
10. Ask people to donate money to cover shipping costs
    
    At roughly $1 a pound, it is the program’s largest expense. 100% of all donations are used for care package items, or to pay shipping costs. Checks should be made payable to Red Cross Operation: Care and Comfort, and donations may be made online, too.