Reach Out and Touch Our Troops

Reach out and touch our troops. Send a letter, a care package, or contribute to an organization that is directly supporting our troops.

Our troops remain in the field, although the worst of the fighting is over. As much as ever, they deserve our support.

Highlighted Resources

Recent Entries: Reach Out

 Volunteer for the DAV

The Disabled Americans Veterans (DAV) is the official organization of disabled U.S. service members, and the DAV relies on a network of volunteers who provide transportation to disabled veterans needing transporation to VA facilities. Those wishing to volunteer should complete an online form. (Select "Voluntary Services" from the list at top.) For more information about the DAV, see their web site.

 VA Voluntary Service

The VA Voluntary Service is your connection for volunteering at a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital near you. VA hospitals, centers and homes serve 98,000 veterans each day, and there are 163 VA hospitals nationwide — with at least one in each of the 48 contiguous states. I cannot think of a more noble way to serve those who have already served the United States.

See Volunteer Now to find a hospital near you and to send an email to a contact there. The VA Voluntary Service has an organized Student Volunteer Program designed to provide students with new skills, and the Service has a Corporate Volunteering program that allows companies to get involved.

 Gift Certificates for Our Soldiers

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) now has gift certificates available for purchase online. Recipients can use the gift certificates at any PX or BX (Post or Base Exchange) worldwide. Visit the link above for a description of options for sending a gift certificate:

• To an Individual
• To a Forward Deployed Soldier
• To Families of a Soldier
• To a Wounded Service Member
• To Air Force Members and their Families

If you know the address of someone who is deployed, select the first option, and the gift certificate will be sent to him or her. The other four options allow you to donate a gift certificate to a worthy recipient. For more information about the AAFES, visit their web site.

 Operation Interdependence

Operation Interdependence is an organization that provides a civilian to military delivery system. Unlike the U.S.O., Operation Interdependence (O.I.) does not put care packages together. Instead, O.I. coordinates fast delivery of packages put together by groups and individuals.

Judging from the testimonial on Marine Moms, I would guess that a few former non-commissioned officers are running the program at Operation Interdependence. According to the Marine Moms site, O.I. is able to deliver packages twice as fast as regular mail. Also notable is their concern for the routine of American service members, "...serving as civilian-to-military delivery system that will not disrupt training or mission of our fighting forces."

Operation Interdependence seeks volunteers, sponsors, and donations.

 AdoptaPlatoon.org

AdoptaPlatoon.org is a charitable grassroots organization that fosters "adoptions" of soldiers and platoons. AdoptaPlatooon relies on a network of volunteer "Platoon Moms" who coordinate adoption efforts.

You can join AdoptaPlatoon to become a pen pal of a service member. Schools, civic organizations, churches and companies can sign up to adopt a platoon. AdoptaPlatoon also accepts charitable donations, which are tax deductible.

 Tips for Sending Mail to U.S. Troops

About.com has published a good guide to sending mail to U.S. Troops. Regrettably, security concerns have caused the DoD to discontinue the mail to Any Service Member program that was popular during the Gulf War. In place of that program, USDef.org directs you to organizations (below) that provide names of service members who wish to receive mail.

The author of the article points out that mail sent to service members is subject to host country customs regulations, and he provides several tips for sending mail to service people:

• Wrap packages securely.
• Liquid-filled containers tend to break.
• Powdered items can open during transit causing concern over what kind of substance it is. Please pack the items in sealed plastic bags.
• Contraband items are confiscated. These include alcohol, tobacco and pornography.
• Label packages properly and list all contents.
• There is a space on the customs form to declare if it is a gift or - merchandise.
• When family members send items Space Available Mail, the packages might take longer.

Click on the link above for more information about sending mail to service members. The links below provide information about obtaining an address of a U.S. service member.

OperationMilitarySupport.com

Operation Military Pride

 Operation Military Pride

Operation Military Pride is another organization that provides addresses of service men and women to people who want to volunteer to send them letters and/or care packages.

You can sign up on the Operation Military Pride website.

 OperationMilitarySupport.com

Looking for a pen pal? OperationMilitarySupport.com connects volunteers with service men and women who do not regularly receive mail from home.

On the OperationMilitarySupport.com website, you submit an online request for a name of a service person who would like to receive mail.

 Contribute USA

Contribute USA has a listing of ways you can get involved to support our troops and/or the victims of the 9/11 attacks. The Varina Project: contains a wealth of addresses that you or your organization can use to send mail to our troops abroad.

 USO-Operation USO Care Package

The USO is accepting donations for care packages that the USO is sending to our troops in the field. By contributing $25, an individual or corporation can sponsor a care package that includes a personalized message from the sender. The USO welcomes corporate sponsorship, and it encourages corporations to designate an employee to server as a liason.

Note, if you send a $25 donation, you should include the message to be included in the care package.