Past Newsletters     Comments     Referrals     News

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php

By Kim Komando:                   

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.

Among these programs is Operation Care Package (http://www.usocares.org), run by the USO (United Services Organization).  Donations can be made online or by printing a form and mailing in a check or money order.

USO care packages are distributed at USO airport assistance centers and to units that request them.

Give 2 the Troops (http://give2thetroops.org) is a smaller nonprofit organizations.  Give 2 the Troops accepts online donations using a credit card or PayPal, as well as mailed-in checks and money orders.  Operation Interdependence accepts checks and money orders.

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.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) runs Operation Uplink (http://www.operationuplink.org).  It distributes prepaid phone cards to military personnel and hospitalized veterans.

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.

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.  If you are sending money or goods, be sure to check the site thoroughly.  In addition, contact the site first to ensure that it is still
accepting donations.

Copyright 2005 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Reprinted with permission. No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of WestStar TalkRadio Network. Visit Kim Komando and sign up for her free e-mail newsletters at: www.komando.com

The entire column is located online at: http://www.komando.com/kolumns_show.asp?showID=8476