During shipment, boxes can often be stacked on top of one another and can risk becoming crushed by heavier boxes placed on top of them.

Please follow these guidelines for successful shipping of your package. Remember that your package has a very long ways to go before it reaches its orphanage destination, and needs to be prepared for such a journey.

•  Use a very sturdy box that is either new or like new.

• Avoid using old boxes, and/or even new boxes that may seem weak, are ripped, have holes and/or small tears.

• Avoid shipping a partially full box. Fill your box to the brim and as an idea, lay small packs of notebook or drawing paper along the top for reinforcement from being crushed by heavier boxes. Additional great filler for along the top are air-pockets. Please do not use Styrofoam packing peanuts.

• Do not leave any empty spaces along the inside corners of your box. Be sure to use bubble wrap or packing paper, socks, hand-towels, etc. to fill these gaps.

• Use high performance / high density clear strapping tape everywhere on the outside of the box.

• Remember to cover all seams, top and bottom (very important)

• For additional reinforcement along the top and bottom seams, consider using brown duct tape (Wal-Mart a couple of dollars a roll) or tensile strength tape for up to 100 lb. boxes.

AVOID SENDING anything that will melt, weapons (including pocket knives), narcotics, batteries not in their original packaging, war and gambling oriented games, chewing gum, and perishable food  (includes yogurt covered candies, pudding packs, peanut butter).