HEALING & SUPPORT

Support the Troops

Practical Ways to Support the Troops

Many Americans who have not been directly impacted by the war, want to do something to support veterans, the troops and their families, but often don’t know where to start. There are many things we can do, as individuals or as part of a group, to show our support. It might be posting a supportive note to the troops online, raising money to send a soldier’s children to camp, organizing a “job jar” of everyday tasks needed by the families of those serving, to simply saying, “Thank you,” to service men and women in uniform.

The following is a list of useful links and ideas about how to help and support our troops:

Joining Forces
A national initiative that mobilizes all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunity and support they have earned.

Community Blueprint Network
The Community Blueprint Network is a set of promising practices that address eight critical issues affecting veterans, active military and military families: behavioral health, education, employment, family strength, financial-legal services, housing and homelessness, reintegration, and volunteering leading to community change.

VA Voluntary Service
Founded 60 years ago, VAVS is one of the largest volunteer programs of the federal government. Volunteers assist in community-based programs, hospital wards, nursing homes and veterans outreach centers. VAVS also offers a special program for student volunteers and runs a volunteer transportation network.

Operation Gratitude
An organization seeking to lift morale and put smiles on faces by sending care packages addressed to individual soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deployed in harm's way.

Support Our Troops
Support Our Troops online is a nationwide platform for individuals, organizations, businesses and non-profits to bolster America’s troops and their families.

Military.com “Support Our Troops” Page
Site that includes links to programs that offer aid to our military -- everything from care packages to emergency services to military family support.

Give an Hour
If you are a mental health care practitioner, consider volunteering your time with this nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Adopt a Platoon
This website encourages support to deployed soldiers through letters, care packages, pen pal campaigns, and monetary donations.

Our Troops Online
An organization that sends care packages to support U. S. troops stationed overseas.

USO Care Package Program
The USO Care Package Program was created to provide a safe and secure way for the public to show support for our men and women in uniform.

For a $25 dollar donation, Americans can sponsor a care package for a service member who is either en-route to an overseas assignment or currently deployed. Each USO Care Package is assembled by volunteers and contains, at a minimum, a 100-minute international calling card, a disposable camera, toiletries, sunscreen and a message of support from a care package sponsor.

Soldiers’ Angels
Soldiers’ Angels provides aid and comfort to tens of thousands of service members stationed around the world. Supporters can “Adopt a Soldier” by sending regular letters and care packages to an individual service member, join a “Soldiers Angels Team” or simply make a donation.

AnySoldier, Inc.
What began in August 2003 as a family effort to help the soldiers in one Army unit, now includes any member of the Armed Forces serving abroad in harm’s way. Visitors to the website can select one or more soldiers’ names from the “Where to Send” page. Each soldier’s address contains the line “ATTN: Any Soldier.” When the recipients - who are all AnySoldier volunteers - see that line, they will put the letters and packages into the hands of those service members who don’t get much or any mail.

ThanksUSA.org
ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to “thank” the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. They provide college scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for the children and spouses of our troops. A national treasure hunt to raise awareness and funds for the scholarship program in an educational way debuted on May 29, 2006, offering great family-oriented prizes.

Cell Phones for Soldiers
Cell Phones for Soldiers was started in April 2004 by 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother Robbie of Norwell, Massachusetts, with money from their piggy banks. The program seeks to help soldiers serving overseas call home. Individuals and communities can donate cell phones and accessories or volunteer to set up drop-off centers for cell phone collections.