U.S. Military Advocacy Organizations

There are many organizations that support our troops, while others have a more specific advocacy focus. Find one that matches your outlook, and get involved.

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 Are You Ready?

Ready.gov is the official government site dedicated to terrorist attack preparedness. The Department of Homeland Security has put together an easy to use site that contains information you can use to prepare for an attack.

At Ready.gov you will find check lists for items that should be contained in your emergency kit. The site also has an excellent downloadable communications plan (PDF version) that your family can use to stay in touch during any type of emergency.

The Department of Homeland Security recommends that all citizens prepare an emergency kit. Emergency kits not only protect Americans, but also these kits make attacks more difficult for terrorists. Thus, by creating your own kit you help defend America.

 SOAR

Founded after the 9/11 attacks, SOAR (Support Our American Recruits) has the unique mission supporting our troops by educating our children about the values of patriotism. SOAR accomplishes its mission by conducting letter and care package collections at schools and scout organizations, and by conducting an annual essay contest. SOAR chapters are located in Georgia and Kentucky, and those interested can sign up for email alerts on their site.

 Operation: MOM

Operation: MOM is the military support group that includes all family members of all military branches. Operation: Mom sends care packages and letters to our service members, sells T-shirts to fund support operations, and runs message boards that provide mutual support for families. (Warning: the message board may take a long time to load.) The group also has an excellent calendar of events that provides a good overview of Operation: Mom activities. Chapters are located in California and Georgia; however, the organization is trying to start new chapters in other states.

 Fisher House

Fisher House provides a "home away from home" for families of hospitalized service members and veterans. Our service members and veterans often must seek medical treatment far from home and family. "Comfort homes" — provided by Fisher House — allow families to be close to loved ones who are receiving treatment at a military or veterans hospital.

Fisher House has donated 26 comfort homes. Once donated, the homes are maintained by the respective service branch. There are now Fisher Homes at every major military medical center and at several veterans hospitals. Last year, Fisher Houses served over 7,000 families while providing over 1,500,000 lodging days.

Fisher House accepts donations online. The organization also provides a service called Caring Bridge, which allows a family to create a web page that they can use to update family and friends about the condition of a loved one — a wonderful use of technology!

 Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is the non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to the Coast Guard community. CGMA assistance is funded entirely from contributions and return on CGMA investments. Last year, CGMA provided $6.6 million in assistance to over 7,000 individuals. Most of this assistance was delivered in the form of loans.

 Air Force Aid Society

The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the United States Air Force, and its goals are to relieve distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them with financing for education. The Society accepts contributions. Contributors are assured that one hundred percent of their contributions are directed to emergency assistance programs. The Society receives no funding from the government.

Last year, the Air Force Aid Society provided over $21 million in direct assistance. Read some of their stories to get a better idea of how the U.S. military takes care of its own, or see respite care for an example of how the society provides assistance.

 Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a private non-profit organization that provides financial, educational and other assistance to members of the Navy and Marine Corps community. The Society is sponsored by the Department of the Navy; however, the Society receives no funding from the government.

See About the Society for a description of the services provided. The Layette Program (Junior Seabag) provides a touching reminder of how family oriented our service organizations are. The Society accepts donations (by check and online) and is seeking volunteers who can work at society locations.

 The Ships Project

The Ships Project, formerly known as the Bataan Project, is made up of members who are knitting and sewing for freedom. Ellen Harpin founded the Ships project in 2001 in response to a request made by the crew of the U.S.S. Bataan. Since then, the project has grown to encompass more than 900 volunteers who have sent over 40,000 hand made items to our troops. The Ships Project is currently sending hand made items to 28 ships in addition to Marines, Special Forces and Air Force members.

Visit the link above to learn more about how you can get involved, or you can go straight to Project Information or see Specifications for Ship Project Items.

 Military Pets Foster Project

NetPets.org has a Military Pets Foster Project that touches my heart-strings. The Military Pets Foster Project is a network of foster homes for pets of our service members, and they need foster homes. Visit the site above or email them at the address below if you could foster a pet for a service member (include your state abbreviation in the subject line). The project also accepts donations.

 Armed Services Blood Program

The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is the official U.S. military program that supplies blood to U.S. service members, their families and Department of Defense employees. According to the ASBP web site, an adequate supply of blood products in forward areas can mean the difference between life and death for those injured in the line of duty. When adequate supplies are unavailable, ASBP must purchase blood supplies.

The ASBP site has listings of the more than 20 ASBP Donation Centers where you can donate blood to the Armed Services Blood Program. The site also provides information about how to Coordinate a Blood Drive for ASBP.