The Military Support Organization Assessment Project

Scrubbed Clean Reviews To Support Our Troops

Special Kindness In Packages, Inc.

Author's Rating:
Social Interaction

Communication

Requesting Support

Responsibilities

Marketing Efforts

Field Proficiency

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Founded in Brockton, Massachusetts by Tracy Stiers in 2004, Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. has shipped more than 7,000 care packages to our troops deployed overseas. The Fun in a Box care packages are not your run of the mill care packages though, as Nancy, clerk for Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. explained. We try to send things other care package organizations are not (likely) to send such as games, squirt guns, and Slinkies^®. We also include books, puzzle books, DVDs, and CDs.

The organization offers support to individual military members and small groups such as squads or fireteams, and they support the military members until the end of the deployment. At the time of writing this review however, the organization is currently unable to accept new care package requests due to the large number of military members already being supported. They hope to be able to open up the request forms again soon.

Leaders of Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. are happy about the response they have received from military supporters across the nation regarding their detailed online instructions for completing a U.S. Customs Form to send a care package to a deployed military member. Most questions are answered in the block by block instructions for both, the new form and the old form. Learn how to fill out a U.S. Customs Form. Another great resource on the organization’s website is How To Write A Letter To A Deployed Service Member.

Supporting Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. can be done through volunteering or several fund–raising programs to include sponsoring care packages, shopping through various retailers online, a recycling program, and purchasing custom merchandise like t–shirts, OIF/OEF decals, teddy bears, or a Fallen Comrades/Missing Man Table Ceremony Kit. The Ceremony Kit has been used at numerous events in Iraq, Afghanistan and the United States, and it comes with everything you need for the ceremony, except the table and chair. You can also download Taps and the script for free.

Located in an urban area without an active duty military installation nearby, recruiting and retaining supporters and volunteers is one of the largest challenges Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. faces every year. However, I think it should be said that in this unique situation, supporters and volunteers of the organization would have to be some of the most dedicated patriots our nation has to offer and that’s something to be proud of.

Visit the website: http://www.skipcares.org

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Suggestions for the Organization

1. While the website has a lot of really good information, I think you should consider restructuring it a little to allow for less clutter. I might suggest going through each web page and deciding what's important and what's not important – eliminating pages that are not important to the future of your organization.
2. The last press release you have on the website was in November of last year and it talks about 2009 possibly being the end for the organization. Since it wasn't, perhaps you should write another press release letting people know what you're doing now.
3. Having a form that a military member or friend/family of a military member can print and mail to you for requesting care packages is a good idea. This would improve your rating for Requesting Support to 5 stars.

date posted: | last edited:
author: Skip Spoerke | category: Care Packages

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2 Comments For Special Kindness In Packages, Inc.

• From: Nancy

  30 Jun 2010 at 14:16 EDT Reply

  
  

  I think this review was very fair.
  Yes, the organization has room for improvements and we appreciate the suggestions.

  Thank you

  • visit comment author’s website •
  • From: Skip Spoerke

    01 Jul 2010 at 02:45 EDT Reply

    
    

    You’re very welcome.

    • visit comment author’s website •

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