My name is Lewis and I am a Warrant Officer in the US Army stationed at Kandahar, Afghanistan. My unit received your care packages the other day and I want to say thank you! The cookies and Cracker Jacks are always fun to get, but I was mostly touched by a simple handwritten note from Ruth Salerno. The soldiers here do our job because we love our fellowman and we still believe in America. We do not seek accolades, yet I find it very satisfying (and humbling) to know you believe in us. You call us Heroes, but the real Heroes are folks like you who make America great and worth defending!

Lewis Thomas

New International Shipping Regulations

Operation Shoebox is updating our shipping process to meet new customs requirements. During this transition, there will be a short delay in shipments leaving our facility.

✅ Care packages will still go out — we’re simply adjusting behind the scenes to comply with the new rules and keep boxes from being returned.
✅ We are also updating our website with a new list of requested items to reflect what can safely be shipped.

👉 If you are sending your own Adopt-a-Troop packages, or shipping directly, please use ShipThrifty for the smoothest experience and best rates under the new rules.

Thank you for your patience and support — together we’ll keep the smiles and supplies flowing to our heroes overseas! 🫡