How to Help
How to Support Our Troops
Looking for ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom? In years past, you could wrap up a care package and mail it to “Any Service Member” for the holidays, but with increased mail restrictions, the Pentagon is asking people to help through financial contributions, letter-writing and e-mail, purchasing authorized pre-made care packages, or volunteering time through non-profits.
Below are links to programs that offer aid to our military — everything from care packages to emergency services to military family support. Show your pride in our armed forces today, either by purchasing a gift or card for a servicemember, or donating to programs that support our military.
Instructions on Sending Mail to Servicemembers - Straight from the U.S. Postal Service, instructions and recommendations on sending individual mail to servicemembers.
Gifts, Cards, and Care Packages
Christmas for Troops - Paying Tribute to our Military Troops During the Holidays.
Adopt a Platoon - Support the troops through gifts and sponsored mail.
Any Soldier - Sponsor care packages to servicemembers in Iraq.
Army and Air Force Exchange Services - Purchase gift certificates for active and hospitalized servicemembers.
Books for Soldiers - Donate books, movies, and more.
Cell Phones for Soldiers - Donate your old cell phones, which pay for calling cards for our troops.
Commissary Gift Certificates - Give the gift of groceries — buy or donate gift certificates.
DefendAmerica - Send a virtual thank-you card.
GI-Bracelet.org - Buy a bracelet to support the troops, and contribute to a fund of your choice.
Military.com E-cards - Send a card by e-mail, for every occasion.
A Million Thanks - Collects emails and letters of appreciation for our armed forces.
Operation Air Conditioner - Help pay for air conditioners and heaters for the troops.
Operaton Dear Abbey - Send greetings and messages of support.
Operation Give - Donate toys to be given to the children of Iraq.
Operation Gratitude - Contribute to care packages sent to our servicemembers.
Operation Hero Miles - Donate your unused frequent flyer files to servicemembers.
Operation Homefront Hugs - Contribute to care packages, or adopt a servicemember.
Operation Millitary Pride - Sends letters, care packages, and gifts overseas.
Operation Uplink - Donate a calling card to help keep servicemembers in touch with their families.
Operation USO Care Package - Sponsor a care package for $25.
SupportUSTroops.com - Contribute to care packages to be sent overseas.
Treats for Troops - Purchase care packages for Soldiers.
USPS Packaging Tips - Follow the USPS guidelines so your packages reach them intact.
Voices from Home - Send voice messages over email to servicemembers.
Medical Help
American Red Cross Armed Forces - Offers medical services to active duty, veterans, reservists and families nationwide.
Armed Services Blood Program - Donate blood that will be sent to areas of need around the world.
Blinded Veterans Association - Volunteer and scholarship organization provides care and support for blind veterans and their families.
VA Voluntary Service - Volunteer to help care for wounded veterans.
The Walter Reed Society - Walter Reed Medical Center cares for many returning injured servicemembers.
Relief and Support
4theTroops - Coordinates the shipments of supplies, goods and gifts to our servicemembers abroad.
Air Force Aid Society - Official support and relief organization for Air Force servicemembers, veterans, and families.
America Supports You - Send messages to the troops, and help get the word out.
American Legion - Organizes blood donation, volunteer networks, purchase flags of support, and more.
Angels of Mercy / No Soldier Left in Need - Donate clothes to wounded soldiers returning stateside, or donate to long-term rehabilitation programs.
The Armed Forces Foundation - Provides support and education help to our troops.
Armed Forces Relief Trust - Combination of the major military relief societies takes donations to help servicemembers.
Armed Services YMCA - Provides educational, recreational, social and religious support to the military.
Army Emergency Relief - Official support and relief organization for Army servicemembers, veterans, and families.
Blue Star Mothers - Organizes postcards to troops and care packages, and is currently petitioning Congress for reduced air fares for servicemembers.
Citizens for Heroes - Raises funds to support the official military relief societies of each branch of the Armed Services.
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes - Accepts donations to help in rehabilitating severely wounded and disabled veterans.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance - Major support and relief organization for Coast Guard servicemembers, veterans, and families.
CAUSE: Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services Elite - Provides comfort items for troops recuperating in military hospitals and rehabilitation centers from wounds and injuries.
Enduring Freedom K.I.A. Fund - Gives financial aid to families of servicemembers killed in action.
Fallen Patriot Fund - Accepts donations to send to families of those who fell in combat.
Fisher House - Support families whose loved ones are being treated at military and VA hospitals.
The Freedom Alliance - Organizes donations and contributions for our servicemembers, and also awards scholarships.
Freedom Calls Foundation - Contribute to videoconferencing facilities that put servicemembers in touch with their families.
Freedom Fund - Send letters of thanks to the troops, or donate to funds that support deploying servicemembers.
Global War on Terrorism Veterans In Need - Provides support programs for returning disabled servicemembers.
Help Hospitalized Veterans - Sends therapeutic crafts kits to hospitalized veterans.
The Home Front Cares - Provides support for the Pikes Peak Region’s military families of all services by distributing funds, goods and services to needy families.
Homes for Our Troops - Assists injured veterans and their families by building new or adapting existing homes for handicapped accessibility.
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund - Fund provides unrestricted grants to the families of military personnel who have given their lives in the current operations in defense of our country.
Military Pets Foster Project - Nationwide network of foster homes cares for the pets of deployed personnel.
Navy/Marine Relief Society - Official support and relief organization for Navy servicemembers, veterans, and families.
Operation Child Care - Provides child care services for the families of Reserve and National Guard members.
Operation Purple - National Military Family Association (NMFA) volunteer program provides educational camps for military children.
Shadow Warrior Foundation -
Soldiers’ Angels - Support group aids wounded Soldiers with transitional backpacks, personal visits, and phone calls, etc., and also sends thanks via letters and email to the U.S. military and its allies.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation - Provides college scholarship grants, financial aid and educational counseling to the children of Special Operations personnel killed in an operational mission or training accident.
The Survivors of Servicemembers SOS Fund - Provides funds to families who have lost a loved one in Iraq.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Provides services and support for survivors of late servicemembers.
Unmet Needs - Veterans of Foreign Wars program donates money to help with military families’ financial necessities.
USO - Donations to the USO pay for hospital support for recuperating soldiers, USO entertainment tours and other important services.
Veterans and Families - Sacramento, California-based organization is building support services for returning veterans.
Veterans of Foreign Wars - Features a full range of veteran services and advocacy programs.
Wounded Warriors Fund - Donates everything from phone cards to TVs to wounded soldiers.
Yellow Ribbon America - Show your support with a yellow ribbon.
