Support our Troops
Simple (Yet Effective), Ways to Support the Troops
Everyone knows the troops need our support. Sometimes, however, we are left wondering, "But how? What can I do?" Below is a list of simple, yet effective, ways you can show you care and demonstrate your support. Click one of the following for more information, or scroll down to browse summaries.
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NEW! Cards for Soldiers
Cards for Soldiers
It is difficult for deployed military men and women to find special occasion cards while they were in foreign countries.
Cards for Soldiers takes the difficulty out of finding, buying and sending cards back home to loved ones for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and more. With our pre-boxed all occasion cards, it's as easy as choosing the appropriate card from the boxed assortment of cards and dropping it in the mail.
All of our special occasion cards are hand-made and unique, therefore, no two cards look alike. The inside of the cards are left blank so that military personnel have plenty of room to write letters to family and friends back home. Upon request, we can also add greeting card verses to the inside of the cards
Operation: Military Kids
Operation: Military Kids, a collaborative effort between the Army and America’s communities, launched April 2005 to help children and teens of military service members cope with the stresses and changes a parent’s deployment brings into their lives.
OMK is co-sponsored by the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center’s Child and Youth Services in partnership with the National 4-H Headquarters, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Participating partners include the Boys and Girls Clubs of America; the Military Child Education Coalition; the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies; local community groups and service organizations. The program is open to all military connected children but is geared toward those children of the 150,000 deployed National Guard and Reserve members.
OMK programs are currently established in 20 states highly affected by military deployments – Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
Concerned with the affect of deployments on families, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has been a strong supporter of OMK and was on hand to officially kick-off the program at an event in Washington, DC.
“The Global War on Terror and the activation of so many National Guard and Reserve service members has touched communities across our country. It is imperative that we, as Americans, show our support for military children and families. Connecting them with programs in their communities, such as Operation Military Kids, is an important way to help,” said Grassley.
In addition to support and social activities, children of military service members and others interested in OMK can participate in three specific outreach activities to raise awareness and support of the OMK program in their communities.
· Mobile Technology Labs: Mobile Technology Labs are portable computer labs that are set up locally to connect geographically dispersed military youth with their deployed parent(s) and other youth in similar situations. The portable labs contain laptops, digital photo and video cameras, printer, scanner, laminator, DVD media, and a variety of software.
· Hero Packs: children of deployed service members receive an official Hero Pack, a knapsack filled with various items to help them stay connected and to thank them for the sacrifices they make when their parents are deployed. The Hero Packs are assembled by participating OMK youth during local, county, state or national partner events.
· “Speak Out for Military Kids”: Through a speakers bureau, military kids and their supporters can speak at local schools and community groups to raise awareness about the unique needs of military youth.
Community agencies, parents or youth interested in the OMK initiative can get more information or identify their state 4-H military liaison at www.operationmilitarykids.org
Free DVD Photo Stories for Military Members
The creation of a DVD photo story is free of charge for all members of the Military, their spouses or parents. The only cost is for postage.
WHY DO THIS?
Because I know how valuable it is to have these memories to hold onto during a deployment, and because I know how much it meant to our soldiers and their families to have a recorded history of their lives at home and at war.
This free service is for members of the armed services, past or present and their spouses, or parents.
Videos of soldiers lost in War will be given priority.
To view a sample of Jemories work, please click here.
Homefront Hugs USA Saluted by DOD
Deployment Support for Troops and Families saluted by DOD - a safe and secure program....for our troops and/or their families who are our silent heroes !
Families receive emotional support and letters and 1 stress relief care package a month from their assigned volunteer .
Troops receive 2 care packages and 2-3 letters every month minimum.
We have received many thanks from soldiers and their families... including recognition in the form of a thank you letter from President George W. Bush, General Richard B.Myers - our Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Marine Corps Commandant, and recommended and listed by the Association of the United States Army, National Military Family Association, Marine Corps Website, USAF link, and the new DOD website- America Thanks You....even FOX news and their website. In our own panhandle in Florida, the Pensacola News Journal and WEAR TV and 94.1 FM have helped us get the word out and support those who serve ! We are working nationally and locally with our bases in our own community to include Hurlburt AFB , Pensacola NAS and Eglin AFB ....no one is forgotten.
Stars like country legend Toby Keith work with us and our super 9-11 families as well as help from Oprah, Dr.Laura and others who want to say thanks in every way.
We are all volunteers here for you and to say thanks the right way by adopting you and/or your family during your deployment and reminding you we are all in this together. You are not alone. Your sacrifices are appreciated. Contact us today and let us show you that Americans support you unconditionally. It is time for us to do our part too and never forget freedom is not free. Freedom Endures.
Homes for Our Troops
Homes for Our Troops is a Massachusetts based, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to their country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries. Homes for Our Troops assists injured veterans and their immediate families by building new or adapting existing homes for handicapped accessibility for these American heroes.
What we provide is not a loan to be paid back, we feel as though we owe this to our American heroes. When we build a new home for a severely disabled veteran they owe nothing on the home, they own it free and clear. If we coordinate the effort to adapt an existing home, the veteran pays nothing out of his own pocket. We do this by accepting donations of labor, materials and money.
The Ships Project
The Ships Project was founded in October, 2001, to provide handmade "hugs from home" to troops deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, both at sea and on the ground. We have since expanded to include troops involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We send handmade (knitted/crocheted/sewn) hats, slippers/socks, cool ties, and "cool heads" to American troops serving in the War on Terror. We'd love to have you join us!
We have free patterns available for those who need them. Requests may be sent to theshipsproject@yahoo.com They will also be available for download shortly. As of mid-September, 2004, we've sent more than 125,000 handmade "hugs from home" to deployed units. We also have several groups who meet in various parts of the country, and new members are always welcome.
Items should be sent to:
Ellen Harpin
351 Conch Shell Lane #107
Casselberry, FL 32707-7048
Whether you knit, crochet, sew, or just want to help with postage, we'd love to have you join us. Please check out our new website at http://www.coingo.net/theshipsproject It is a work-in-progress.
Our paypal account is under ellens12@yahoo.com and may be reached through www.paypal.com. Postage has exceeded $80,000, all of it covered by donations. If you'd like to donate, please contact us at theshipsproject@yahoo.com if you do not have a Paypal account.
The response from the troops has been almost overwhelming, and soon we'll have the letters and photos back up for all to see.
KIA Memorial Quilts
A volunteer group established to create memorial quilts to honor the US Service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Military personnel killed in action will have a quilt block inscribed with their name and other personal information. The memorial quilts will be assembled and will be made available to travel to the various United States military bases, state capitals, etc.
We need your help! Whether you would like to help make a quilt block (or a dozen!), purchase supplies, or make a cash donation to help with expenses, all assistance is greatly appreciated. You can reach us by e-mail at MemorialQuilt2004@yahoo.com or on the Yahoo Groups message board created to coordinate this endeavor -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kiamq/ . If you know of someone who was killed in action whose name is not listed in our database, please let us know so we can add the information and get started on a quilt block in their name.
Angels 'n Camouflage
Angels 'n Camouflage was founded on the belief that "No Veteran will be left standing at Mail Call with empty hands nor empty hearts". Whether it be a mere card or a 'forget-me-not' package, our Angels have committed their lives to making sure our Veterans will not have to spend another day alone and forgotten.
If you think you have what it takes to become an Angel 'n Camouflage, please fill out an application and we will soon have you on the road to earning YOUR wings! If you are a Veteran at Home or Overseas and would love to start receiving Mail Call and periodic Care Packages - what are you waiting for?!
Treats for Troops
Everyone likes to get mail, and often "mail call" is the highlight of the day for soldiers and sailors. Sadly though, not every service member has someone back home to send a care package, and with recent tight restrictions on mail, you can no longer send something addressed to "Any Soldier."
Treats for Troops offers a solution. Through this site you can safely and easily send care packages to the troops, register a soldier or sailor to receive a package, or foster a service member.
A virtual "shopping mall" of care packages, buyers have an amazing array of selections, from "Thinking of You" sets with sentimental gifts and treats, to "Gadgetland" filled with bungee chords, batteries, duct tape and ZipLock bags. Be sure to drop by the "Thank You" section and read moving letters from troops overseas!
US Magnets and More
US Magnets and More offers two ways to help: by displaying the various patriotic magnets available you show your support, but buyers can also purchase magnets in bulk for fundraising! It's a wonderful, easy and inexpensive idea for military spouse clubs and their yearly charitable events.
Operation Paperback
Troops far from family and friends often miss the comforts of home. Unfortunately, life on a ship or in a unit doesn't leave much opportunity for "play" and relaxation. Troops often say the best and easiest past-time while they are away is a good book. Enter Operation Paperback.
Operation Paperback is a non-profit, all-volunteer, grassroots organization of family, personal friends and Web friends who collect gently used books and send them to American troops deployed overseas.
Cakes Across America
Do you know a military family who needs a smile? Maybe there is a child celebrating his 3rd birthday while Dad is overseas. Or a woman celebrating her anniversary alone. One of the hardest things about being a military family is getting through the holidays and celebrations without the service member loved one.
With Cakes Across America you can deliver a smile to their door! (And a YUMMY smile at that!)
Homefront Hugs USA
HomefrontHugsUSA invites you to sign the guestbook to be published for the families of those heroes who paid the ultimate price defending our freedoms and our disabled veterans.
Buy a " Support Our Troops " Decal or Bumper Sticker, or one of their famous Welcome Home Banners. Every sale on the non-profit site helps get care packages to the troops! of pace. They don't have the option to go to Barnes and Noble for awhile to "get out" and see something new. So bring the fun and the new to them. My husband always likes getting DVDs, CDs, books, and sports magazines. He's also pointed out that it is hard to get a "real" American newspaper when he is deployed, so the local paper from home is always appreciated (especially the Sports section). Remember these Soldiers and Sailors are living without many of the comforts and conveniences of home. Therefore, mail call is a welcomed opportunity to receive something new and different to look at....things they can't get on the ship.