WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - This holiday season, KAKE is partnering with Presents in a Package, a volunteer-driven event that supplies holiday packages to deployed military troops. 

The initiative, created through Volunteer Kansas, aims to bring a little joy to the more than 50% of service men and women who don't receive holiday gifts while deployed. 

Those interested in helping out can donate items to fill packages, send cash to pay for shipping costs or volunteer their time by helping assemble care packages with the KAKE team on November 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Farm Credit Bank Building, 245 N Waco, Wichita. 

People interested in signing up their loved one to receive a package can do so by emailing [email protected].

Those interested in helping out can donate items to fill packages at any Southwest National Bank or at the Farm Credit Bank Building at 245 N Waco in Wichita, KS. To help with postage costs, you can also donate at Volunteer Kansas’ Facebook page, or by sending cash or check to:

Volunteer Kansas
PO Box 781598
Wichita, KS 67278

A donation list for items can be found below.

Cards & Letters 

  • The troops love to hear from all of us, and mail brightens their day! 

Christmas Decorations

  • Garland
  • Plastic ornaments
  • 1ft tall or smaller artificial trees
  • Wrapping paper in squares
  • Strands of lights
  • Christmas hats
  • Santa stockings

Entertainment

  • Blank note cards with envelopes (to send mail back home – NO postage required)
  • Gamebooks like crossword puzzles, etc.
  • Toys:
    • Nerf footballs
    • Playing cards
    • Frisbees
    • Hacky sacks

Snacks/Food

  • Beef jerky/Slim Jims
  • Granola bars & protein bars
  • Herbal teas
  • Pringles
  • Trail mix
  • Dried fruit
  • Microwave popcorn
  • Hostess cake products
  • Instant oatmeal
  • Nuts & seeds
  • Dry soup and ramen noodles
  • Boxed chips & crackers
  • Pop-Tarts
  • Ground coffee - all flavors
  • Tuna & chicken in pouches or ready-to-eat kits
  • Powdered drink mixes & protein powders
  • Gum & hard candies (NOTHING that will melt)
  • Boxed cookies (Boxed are best, nothing that will melt)

Toiletries (No aerosols can be mailed and no meds) 

  • Baby wipes
  • Body wash
  • Sunblock (SPF 45 or higher)
  • Socks (black & white cotton)
  • Lip balm

** ALL items must fit into a 12 x 12 x 5 box to be shipped overseas. **

PROHIBITED/RESTRICTED items that CANNOT be shipped:

  • Chocolate
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Fragile (glass)
  • Batteries
  • Aerosols