Support American Troops & Help Military Families

Help the Organizations that Support Members of the U.S. Armed Forces

Aug 14, 2009 Genna Cockerham

Support the U.S. Armed Forces by joining organizations that work to help military families, aid those with spouses on deployment and encourage American troops.

There are many different non-profit organizations that support U.S. service members and help military families. Whether it is with money, resources, time or talent, there are opportunities for citizens and community groups to help those who serve in America’s armed forces.

Operation Homefront Helps Military Families

Operation Homefront has several programs that help military families, and each local chapter has projects to help those in need. One of Operation Homefront’s projects is the Backpack Brigade that collects new school supplies for military school children. Other projects involve meeting specific needs for military families and veterans. For example, the Hampton Roads Chapter has a list of needs that may include temporary housing for a service member, assistance with home repairs for a family with a spouse on deployment or the use of a car.

There are different ways community members can support Operation Homefront. The organization accepts cash donations, volunteers and specific items for its projects. Hampton Roads residents can select Operation Homefront Hampton Roads as their charity of choice to benefit from Food Lion MVP cards or register with iGive.com before shopping online. Community members can also check online to learn how they can help a specific military family or service member.

Acknowledge Military Service with Free Stickers

As the number of troops who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan increases, one organization is working to make others aware of their service. The “I Served” project of Journey’s Crossing is offering free stickers to service members who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The stickers are a way to say “thank you” to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and encourage others to support American troops. Those who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan can go to Iservedsticker.org to get their free stickers and community members can make 100% tax-deductible contributions to produce more stickers to support the troops.

Operation Shower Supports Military Families

Operation Shower is one organization that focuses on the military family. The mission of Operation Shower is to support the families of service members by throwing baby showers for expectant moms whose spouses are on deployment. The organization sends a Shower in a Box to the military wives or hosts showers for an entire unit. Operation Shower recently hosted a green shower that included eco-friendly products for new moms and new babies.

There are many ways to help Operation Shower support military families. individuals and groups can make financial donations to be used for the organization’s greatest need or can select a purchase that will go to a new mom. The organization accepts new items to be added to the Shower in a Box from individuals and businesses. Businesses can donate products and become a preferred vendor. Another way to support the military wives is to sponsor a Shower in a Box or host a shower to collect items for Operation Shower.

Send Books to Troops in the U.S. Armed Forces

Operation Paperback is one organization that sends packages of gently used paperback books to service members deployed overseas. According to Operation Paperback, the group and its volunteers have shipped more than 950,000 books since 1999. To become a volunteer with Operation Paperback, individuals or groups register to join the volunteer network. Information about requested genres and details is available online and volunteers ship the reading preferences they have directly to the troops.

In addition to its volunteer groups, Operation Paperback works to ship books in bulk to deployed troops. The non-profit group works to fulfill requests for specific titles and to meet the need for “high-demand genres.” Monetary donations are accepted to help fulfill the specific requests of those serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Operation Uplink Helps Troops Call Home

There are two ways the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Operation Uplink helps troops call home. The organization purchases phone time for active-duty troops and hospitalized veterans. Operation Uplink was created in 1996 as part of the VFW’s National Military Services and initially operated solely by distributing phone cards.

Operation Uplink has since expanded its program. Not only does the organization provide free phone time through the distribution of phone cards, but it also hosts Free Call Days for troops with access to Internet cafes in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. The Free Call Days are sponsored by companies or organizations and enable deployed military personnel to call home at no charge. Monetary donations are accepted to help fund the phone cards and Free Call Days.

The non-profit organizations that support the troops provide books for deployed members of the United States Armed Forces, support military families, offer resources for military wives and encourage community respect for service members. Operation Homefront, Operation Shower, Operation Uplink, Operation Paperback and the “I Served” Project all accept monetary donations to support American troops. Operation Homefront, Operation Shower and Operation Paperback have volunteer opportunities available for those with the time or talent to support members of the United States Armed Forces.

The copyright of the article Support American Troops & Help Military Families in American Affairs is owned by Genna Cockerham. Permission to republish Support American Troops & Help Military Families in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Find Ways to Support American Troops	Support Members of the U.S. Armed Forces	Operation Paperback Sends Books to Deployed Troops
VFW Offers Free Call Days in Iraq & Afghanistan	Operation Homefront Supports Military Families