Posted on 12/25/2012 3:35:16 PM PST by rlmorel
Over the years, my wife and I have taken this time of year to make donations to various organizations. My wife has generally chosen different avenues to help than I have (in the civilian sector locally) since I tend to choose organizations dedicated to helping the military (the exception being the Salvation Army) such as the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, The Wounded Warrior Project, etc. (I was a brat and served myself, so I prefer giving to those types of organizations)
One of the organizations I have given money to over the years is the USO, and for personal reasons, I have decided to contribute elsewhere.
Can any Freepers suggest any other organizations they have given to that do a good job of getting assistance to those who need it in our military community? I am particularly interested in those that have low overhead and pass a higher portion of donations on to those in need.
Not sure of their percent going to overhead but the USO lounges at the airports are a welcome oasis for troops and family. Our kids tell us they are always warmly welcomed and well treated.
As a brat, you may appreciate a faith based group
http://www.younglife.org/Military/
It gets ultra high reviews from the charity oversight community
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4791
I personally donate to them.
Yes, I’ve heard good things about the Fisher House as well.
I give to the USO.
I second that one. Team Rubicon, veteran first responders on the scene during natural disasters. Their most recent one was on the East Coast during Hurricane Sandy. Great choice.
Most military bases will have an office for assisting enlisted. Donate directly to the base. I went down the road of trying to find a private organization. Some are good but many are scams. Our group hired a bus and took them to a county fair’ then out for about more fun on the way back.
Many are away from home for the first time and pretty much stuck on base. The officer in charge came up with the idea. It was a good time by all
DAV is my choice several times during the year. Got a lot of calendars from them.
Yes, the Semper Fi fund is good. We also received help from Fisher House, Marine Corps assistance league, and Homes for our Troops, based in Taunton, CT but builds homes all over the country for injured vets.
Yes, the Semper Fi fund is good. We also received help from Fisher House, Marine Corps assistance league, and Homes for our Troops, based in Taunton, MA but builds homes all over the country for injured vets.
Fisher Houseis my charity .....They do a lot of good for the wounded warriors and their families.
Fisher Houseis my charity .....They do a lot of good for the wounded warriors and their families.
Don’t forget the Salvation Army.
secular - Fisher House- http://www.fisherhouse.org/
They help provide free to low cost lodging to the families of the wounded .
secular - Soldier’s Angels -http://www.soldiersangels.org/
They do all kinds of things from care packages to providing voice activated laptop computers to wounded warriors
Christian - Samaritan’s Purse Operation Heal our Patriots
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/Project_Donations/
This ministry of Samaritans Purse works with injured U.S. service members and their spouses to try to build strong marriages (lots of hardships come with combat injuries and the sad truth is many of these marriages don’t last without help )
Thanks to everyone. This has helped me a lot. I will continue to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, as my gut tells me the issue with guns was somewhat distorted, and I know from personal experience (having met some folks associate with it) that they do good things. I think I am going to give to the Semper Fi fund and the Fisher House instead of the USO.
Just a note, I didn’t really want to talk about the USO, because it is likely that my reasons would seem petty to some, and would would likely derail the advice I was looking for. If you are someone who gives the USO, I don’t view that in a negative way...you are giving, and I think they do some good things as a few of you pointed out. I just have personal reasons, and I know there are alternatives.
So, thank you to all of you for your advice. This is a great community on here, and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...:)
I think the world of the Salvation Army, and I cannot pass a ringer without contributing. I also have some personal experience with them through a relative who was in need, and the contrast between the approach the Red Cross took versus the approach the Salvation Army took was significant in every way, materially, emotionally, you name it.
I give to them every year as well. Not a dime for the Red Cross.
Them too, South40. The only times in my life I have wished I had a motorcycle was through my interactions with the Patriot Guard Riders (which I have had a few of during my visits to DC and even up here in the PRM.)
I love what they do, and how they do it.
Neither my wife or I will never donate money to the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society. All they do is encourage bad behavior by taking the money from responsible Marines and then they hand it over to the most irresponsible Marines.
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