Simple (yet meaningful!) 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 that you can show you care and demonstrate your support. Click one of the following for more information, or scroll down to browse summaries.
Patriotic Magnets - USA Magnets
http://www.operationmilitarykids.org
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, Virgin ia, 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
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 Presiden t 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.
http://www.homesforourtroops.org
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.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kiamq/
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.
http://www.usamagnetsandmore.com/
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.
http://www.cakesacrossamerica.com/
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!)
