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Sites to Support U.S. Troops and Vets 1/29/2005 6:53:23 AM
Thanks to the Kim Komando electronic newsletter, I am able to post these sites for anyone who wants to send aid or support to our troops and our vets. You can also go to a list and find the name of a soldier who wishes to be "adopted." Thank you to all who read this and a big hug to all who support our men and women in uniform. Freedom Is NEVER free! Web Sites to Support U.S. Troops
You can show your support for the United States troops by wearing
a yellow ribbon or patriotic shirt. But now it's easier than ever to
do more. Web sites run by individuals or small charities let citizens
connect with military personnel to send letters and care packages.
There are dozens of excellent organizations. Here are just a few:
--Send a care package.
Previously you could send homemade cookies, books and toiletries
addressed to "Any Service Member." You can no longer do that because
of security concerns.
Organizations have stepped in to bridge the gap between people who
don't know a service member and the troops overseas. Contributions are
used to buy packages. You can't correspond with the service members who
receive them. But often the Web sites post thank-you letters from
grateful recipients.
Both groups also accept food and entertainment items. Beef jerky,
sunflower seeds, instant drink mixes, mini-board games, electronic
games, CDs and DVDs are the most popular and needed items.
Check each Web site for instructions and a more detailed list.
Although you may have the best intentions, never send baked goods.
All food must be store-bought and sealed.
--Help a soldier phone home.
Making a phone call from Iraq or Afghanistan is an expensive luxury.
So prepaid phone cards are a big hit.
Help Our Troops Call Home (https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx) is
a similar program operated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service
(AAFES). You can designate that the card be sent to a service member in
Iraq, a wounded or hospitalized service member, or to one of several
relief services that cater to specific branches of the military.
If you have an old cell phone lying around, donate it to Cell Phones
for Soldiers (http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com). It sells old cell phones to a recycling company and buys prepaid phone cards with
the money.
--Give of yourself.
If you have the time, nothing beats corresponding directly with
an individual.
Any Soldier (http://www.anysoldier.com) has a list of military personnel stationed overseas. Troops who want to be "adopted" list
their names, a brief description of where they are, and what they
need. You can sort individuals by name, service branch or the country
in which they are stationed. The site states that you are welcome to
send care packages, but that the service members are grateful just to
read letters.
Soldiers' Angels (http://www.soldiersangels.org) is another organization that connects you to a service member. You submit your
contact information to the site. The organizers will e-mail you with
a name and address.
Or, you can volunteer with Operation Stephen's Touch
(http://www.stephenstouch.org/). Offered by Stephen's Ministries,
this service gives people who have lost loved ones someone with whom
to talk. Mostly, volunteers, who receive training, are asked to listen.
Here is another great site given to me by Eileen Tiger Lily, where you can write to soldiers. Thanks, Eileen!
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/
If you are sending money or goods, be sure to check the site
thoroughly. And contact the site first to ensure that it is still
accepting donations.
