One easy way to send a care package without adopting a particular Marine or soldier is Operation Care Packages, an organization which sends food packages and toiletry packages to our deployed servicemembers. They ask for volunteers to sponsor the pre-prepared packages for $25, including shipping. The package will be sent in your name and they are happy to include a personal note from you if desired.
Donations of any amount are also much appreciated, of course, and if less than $25 will be held until a package can be funded.
View the contents of the care packages and find out how to contribute at:
http://www.operationcarepackages.org/SponsorAPackage.html
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Soldiers' Angels
Soldiers' Angels is an organization that arranges letters, cards and care packages for deployed troops and our wounded heroes. There are two ways to participate:
-Sign up as a penpal for a servicemember stationed overseas. Soldiers' Angels requests that you commit to a letter or card each week and one or two care packages each month.
-Join a team - for a sense of companionship and to focus on a specific mission. It doesn't recquire you to mail something every single week, so it can be less intense option. There are teams that support Chaplains, that make blankets for wounded veterans, etc.
Of course, you can always donate directly to Soldier's Angels via PayPal or credit card if you don't have time to make your own care packages!
Check out the website at: http://soldiersangels.org
-Sign up as a penpal for a servicemember stationed overseas. Soldiers' Angels requests that you commit to a letter or card each week and one or two care packages each month.
-Join a team - for a sense of companionship and to focus on a specific mission. It doesn't recquire you to mail something every single week, so it can be less intense option. There are teams that support Chaplains, that make blankets for wounded veterans, etc.
Of course, you can always donate directly to Soldier's Angels via PayPal or credit card if you don't have time to make your own care packages!
Check out the website at: http://soldiersangels.org
Any Soldier/Any Marine/AnySailor/AnyAirman
AnySoldier is a great website you can use to send care packages and letters to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Check out the website, they have a LOT of information about what to send and how to send it:
http://www.AnySoldier.com
You can search for folks from your hometown, from your favorite service branch etc, on the "Where to Send" tab:
http://www.anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/
This is a great resource if you want to send a care package but don't have your own Marine, Soldier, Sailor or Airman that you are already supporting. They ask for the specific items that they and their unit need... Troops also love getting letters, which you can send to an APO (military) mailbox with just a regular envelope and stamp!
I suggest reading through this site, there's a lot of good information there.
P.S. They have a different site for each branch of the service, although you can search for any branch from the WhereToSend page -- my personal favorite is, surprise surprise, http://www.anymarine.com ;)
http://www.AnySoldier.com
You can search for folks from your hometown, from your favorite service branch etc, on the "Where to Send" tab:
http://www.anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/
This is a great resource if you want to send a care package but don't have your own Marine, Soldier, Sailor or Airman that you are already supporting. They ask for the specific items that they and their unit need... Troops also love getting letters, which you can send to an APO (military) mailbox with just a regular envelope and stamp!
I suggest reading through this site, there's a lot of good information there.
P.S. They have a different site for each branch of the service, although you can search for any branch from the WhereToSend page -- my personal favorite is, surprise surprise, http://www.anymarine.com ;)
Dunkin Donuts Coffee Lottery
You can enter your Marine or soldier in a lottery to receive a case of Dunkin Donuts coffee... a real taste of home (at least for those from the East Coast). 50 folks will be selected each month for the coffee, which is certainly enough to share!
You will need the name, rank and mailing address of someone stationed overseas in order to participate in this one. The web URL is:
https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/contact/Feedback.aspx?type=4
You will need the name, rank and mailing address of someone stationed overseas in order to participate in this one. The web URL is:
https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/contact/Feedback.aspx?type=4
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Cell Phones For Soldiers
Founded by two teenagers in 2004, Cell Phones For Soldiers collects old cell phones, sells them to a recycling company, and uses the money to purchase phone cards for deployed troops. Find their website at:
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
There are many ways you can help:
-Print out a pre-paid shipping label and send in your used cell phone for recycling, or contribute an old cell phone at a drop-off center (search for one near you on the website)
-Donate money directly to purchase cell phones for soldiers
-Establish your business, school or organization as a drop-off point for cell phones
If you know a Marine or Soldier, or a unit, you can also enter a request for them to receive phone cards at the following URL:
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/requestCards.html
This looks like a great program! If you decide to support the troops by donating an old cell phone or assisting financially, please comment on this post so we know we've helped. Thanks!
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
There are many ways you can help:
-Print out a pre-paid shipping label and send in your used cell phone for recycling, or contribute an old cell phone at a drop-off center (search for one near you on the website)
-Donate money directly to purchase cell phones for soldiers
-Establish your business, school or organization as a drop-off point for cell phones
If you know a Marine or Soldier, or a unit, you can also enter a request for them to receive phone cards at the following URL:
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/requestCards.html
This looks like a great program! If you decide to support the troops by donating an old cell phone or assisting financially, please comment on this post so we know we've helped. Thanks!
Why We're Blogging
As we get ready for my year-long deployment in January, my husband and I keep hearing from folks that they wish they could do something for me or for the troops in general. We thought that we could create a central repository for charities that support our Marines and soldiers overseas!
If you know of any great organizations that we're missing, please let us know! And if you contribute to any of the wonderful groups on these pages, please comment on the post about them so we know we've reached you. Thank you so much!
If you know of any great organizations that we're missing, please let us know! And if you contribute to any of the wonderful groups on these pages, please comment on the post about them so we know we've reached you. Thank you so much!
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