Comments on: Gator (neck warmer) instructions:

By: Edna Koogler

Edna Koogler — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:28:58 +0000

Might try T-shirt material.Might be good in warner weather as well as a protector from blowing sand.

Might try some of those T S from camp etc we can’t think of parting with. I think I shall give it a try for the next boxes I send .

By: Cynthia Zalewski

Cynthia Zalewski — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:13:25 +0000

Hi Mary! Thanks for having these directions for the Gators online still. I made a bunch of these about five years ago. My daughter has an 18 year old friend who is married to a soldier (deployed). She wanted to send him a care package with something “special” in it. I immediately thought of the neck warmers. It took me five minutes of searching but I found your site again! Yippee! We’re on a “mission”…not only is he going to get a neck warmer, so are his buddies! Thanks so much!

By: Sharon Knobeloch

Sharon Knobeloch — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:47:11 +0000

I’ve made 150 or more at this point. I have two sons and three nephews in the military they have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan several times. So, with each deployment, I whipp a batch up for them and their buddies. One son told me “these are gold mom” The Gators are easy to make, the soldiers really love them, and it’s a great way to say THANK YOU. Thanks for starting this project and spreading the information.

Proud Army Mom
Sharon Knobeloch

By: diane

diane — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:23:11 +0000

http://www.anysoldier.com is a great website to use to find units to send to. In fact one Marine unit specifically requested neck gators for his men in southern Afghanistan. I have made 27 so far and shipped them over.

By: Keri

Keri — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:01:54 +0000

Jackie is semi-correct….the Marines banned the wearing of any polyester clothing off base in Iraq back in 2002, and highly suggested they not wear it while on-base. To view their reasoning you can go to the following link…. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=15478 I also found evidence that the Army may be moving to that decision but it is not official. Testing is being done at Fort Polk on a new material.

While this article is in reference to Iraq and only the Marine Corp, I would assume due to the incidents they quote that Afghanistan & all Services should be the same. As our young men & women are in harms way daily, I would hope we do not want ot add to that danger and will use only 100% cotton or fire-resistant fabrics.

Sign me…
Wife of a soldier

By: Debbie Smothers

Debbie Smothers — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:13:11 +0000

Operation care package is not allowed to give out individual troop addresses but is always happy to except any gators or other items for the troops. And yes please do include a card or note of thanks with them.
We send approximately 150 packages per week throughout the year and for Christmas our goal is to reach 10,000 troops. We are an all volunteer non for profit so any and all support is always appreciated. Any gators can be mailed to:
Operation Care Package
611 Wilcox St.

Joliet, IL. 60435
Questions: proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.net

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:38:32 +0000

We are about to send over 300 gators to Afghanistan. I’ve already talked to our son, and though they can’t wear them on base, the guys off base can. They are looking forward to getting them, it’s already cold over there. We’ve already sent a bunch to a special forces unit, and they’ve already got them and are wearing them. I’m not sure who Jackie talked to, but our guys/gals can still use them. If you don’t have an address, call the local VFW or USO. Some radio stations also have an “adopt a soldier” program. Our local VFW is helping with the shipping cost. You can get abuot 37-38 gators in the Post Office APO box for $11.95. Put the gators in white trash bags, use your vacuum to suck out all the air and flatten the gators, twistie tie shut. Tape the box well to keep it from eventually expanding. Stuff gators in any little crack open. thanks to everyone involved in this project.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:23:30 +0000

Please be advised… the military troops are not allowing polyester items such as this made from fleece. If they are exposed to fire, they melt to the skin and cause much more damage to the individual wearing it, than the fire itself!! Please search a 100% cotton fabric to use in place of fleece, even if you have to double the layers to get the desired warmth. Possibly t-shirt or sweatshirt fabric would be a suitable option. Well, good luck and happy sewing!

By: Linda Santos

Linda Santos — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:03:31 +0000

I’m always looking for something to send the troops and you have given me a great idea. My grandson is in Afganistan and has written us telling us how cold it is. My sewing friends and I are making his unit gators this weekend. I am sure they are going to appreciate them. Thanks for a this wonderful idea and God bless you for everything you are doing for our young men and women.

Linda

By: linda moore

linda moore — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:06:17 +0000

I made 5 orange ones for the hunters in my family for practice. Then I made 55 from desert light camo. I looked for more of that material, but was unable to get it at the local Hancock or Walmarts. All web sites I was have what I condidered to be high cost. The local walmart had suitable colors for about $3.5 I am going to get another color from among the ones suggested. I want to try to make enough to have 100 for a local unit in Iraq.