News

Soldier Send gift registry lets soldiers make wish lists, receive care packages

November 25, 2013

Soldier Send announced that it has created a military gift registry on its new website, www.soldiersend.com, that makes sending care packages to soldiers stationed abroad easier than ever before. Through a website that doubles as a military social networking site, supporters can pledge their support of friends, family members or other military personnel, stationed at home or abroad, by sending them needed items as indicated by a "wish list" or by choosing from a list of items soldiers typically want.

"Soldier Send was born with the sole intention of making it easy for regular working people like me to directly support some of the most important people in this nation — those defending it," said Mick Garrison, CEO of Soldier Send. He came up with the idea after a mission to send a care package to a friend stationed overseas failed before it even began. "I realized that I would have had to spend an entire weekend running around to grocery stores, sporting good stores, shoe stores and specialty stores; not to mention the intimidating thought of trying to navigate the intricacies of an international waybill just to ship the stuff ... I gave up." He thought there had to be a better way, he said, so he created one.

From the company's announcement of the service:

Soldiers need the love and support of friends and family back home. Imagine living thousands of miles from home. Now imagine also living without simple conveniences like toothpaste, deodorant, and razors.  Now think about missing birthdays, Christmas, weddings, and the births of babies (and watching them grow up). Military life doesn't take a break for special days. The men and women serving their country understand the sacrifices they must make, but they still need and want recognition for their efforts. They deserve appreciation.

Soldier Send is different from similar sites in that it tailors its products to meet the needs of soldiers. It also provides blogging and picture sharing capabilities. Soldiers need to first register with the site then make personal wishes known through complimentary gift registries. These registries are customized through self-selected account settings, making it possible to have a public profile that would enable supporters to send gifts, even if they aren't friends or family. 

Food, personal-care products, footwear, clothes and entertainment, all geared specifically toward the military lifestyle, are types of "love" that can be sent. In addition, pre-packaged boxes offer his and her hygiene products, Christmas blessings, and a special "most-wanted" ensemble. Supporters should select a package, intended recipient, pay, and Soldier Send will take care of the details. In other words, this site offers supporters a perfect opportunity to show their pride and appreciation of those dedicated individuals who serve in the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard, by offering a way to say thanks without the hassle of putting it all together from several different retail sources.

Read more about online retailing.