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Looking for assistance on charitable donations for military families.

Posted on 10/19/2009 7:25:15 AM PDT by HGSW0904

Hope this is the right spot for this. My husband and I would like to assist the families of fallen soldiers with our charity monies. However, there are several different charities, all claiming to provide money to widows/ers and children of fallen troops. I want to be sure that we send money to a viable charity who really does get as much of the money as possible where it needs to go. Do any of you have experience with any charity of this kind?

I've been looking at Fallen Soldiers Fund (http://www.fallensoldiersfund.com), Children of Fallen Soldiers Fund (http://www.cfsrf.org) and Fallen Patriots (www.fallenpatriotfund.org).

I'm leery of the Fallen Soldiers Fund as their site addy ends in '.com' instead of '.org'.

Any feedback is very much appreciated.


TOPICS: VetsCoR
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1 posted on 10/19/2009 7:25:16 AM PDT by HGSW0904
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To: HGSW0904

Very kind of you. Why not just send a family the money directly? (or families)


2 posted on 10/19/2009 7:33:44 AM PDT by lilycicero (Welcome to FR.)
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To: HGSW0904

PS. You could contact “The Pat Tillman” Foundation if you needed more direction. They run a very close checked scholarship fund.


3 posted on 10/19/2009 7:36:07 AM PDT by lilycicero (Welcome to FR.)
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To: lilycicero
Very kind of you. Why not just send a family the money directly? (or families) ...because I'm not sure to whom I should send it, to where, how much they'd need, what kind of help they'd need, etc. ...and I'm thinking that there has to be some sort of centralized place that military families can go for help? Seems like the best place to start to get help to them. I just don't know how to get to them/where to start.
4 posted on 10/19/2009 7:38:11 AM PDT by HGSW0904
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To: HGSW0904
Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT), a group I am well familiar with, has some great “how do I help” links on their web site. Check out their photo album while visiting. I have joined them on many of their events and rallies.

http://www.operation-support-our-troops.org/

5 posted on 10/19/2009 7:38:56 AM PDT by NavyCanDo
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To: lilycicero

Hadn’t thought of the Pat Tillman Foundation. Thanks for the tip.


6 posted on 10/19/2009 7:39:01 AM PDT by HGSW0904
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To: HGSW0904

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is an excellent option.

http://www.specialops.org/

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=7584

I’m also partial to the Air Force Aid Society:

http://www.afas.org/

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6492

and the USO:

http://www.uso.org/

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4615

Thank you for your support.


7 posted on 10/19/2009 7:42:36 AM PDT by AF_Blue ("Are you guys ready? Let's roll!" - Todd Beamer)
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To: HGSW0904

...and welcome to Free Republic!


8 posted on 10/19/2009 7:46:31 AM PDT by AF_Blue ("Are you guys ready? Let's roll!" - Todd Beamer)
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To: HGSW0904

Be very wary of most “charitable” organizations. I like AER, Army Emergency Relief. Chartered by congress, they provide zero interest loans for plane tickets, rental assistance and other similar needs. The funds are administered by retired officers. Fully tax deductable, too.

http://www.hqaer.org


9 posted on 10/19/2009 7:47:06 AM PDT by Freedom4US
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To: AF_Blue

Thanks for the welcome and the links!


10 posted on 10/19/2009 7:49:18 AM PDT by HGSW0904
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To: HGSW0904
....you started in the right direction...asking the right people. There's good and very good, and your right to beware of scams.
Choose a specific military branch or check back here later, after the FReeps fill ya in.

Oh BTW, Welcome to FReeperville.

11 posted on 10/19/2009 7:49:52 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
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To: HGSW0904

I second the Special Ops Warrior Foundation. They are a good group, and all the money goes where they say it does. They provide for college for the children of Specials Ops soldiers killed in action. My father actually works for them, so I can personally vouch.

http://www.specialops.org/


12 posted on 10/19/2009 8:03:26 AM PDT by djegators
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To: HGSW0904

Contact your local American Legion Auxiliary - ask about their Blue Star Family programs.


13 posted on 10/19/2009 8:12:03 AM PDT by noexcuses
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To: HGSW0904
I donate to two. As a memorial to my brother, I do a yearly gift to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (www.nmcrs.org). I have no personal connection to the society.

I also contribute to and support USACares (www.usacares.org) . They are geared towards assisting post-911 military families along three lines: Combat Injured, Housing Assistance, and Basic Needs. I know one of the founders and believe him to be doing a great job.
14 posted on 10/19/2009 8:57:56 AM PDT by philled (A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.-- GB Shaw)
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To: lilycicero; AF_Blue; djegators; philled; noexcuses; Doogle; Freedom4US

I appreciate all of your suggestions and tips. Looks like I’ll have some homework to do in researching all of these! Thanks for the kind welcomes as well.


15 posted on 10/19/2009 10:38:10 AM PDT by HGSW0904
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To: HGSW0904
Please review what Clark Howard has to say. He has a guide called "A guide to the best and worst military charities". He's a nationally syndicated talk show financial guru. Really knows his stuff.

here's the link to his guide:

http://clarkhoward.com/topics/charity_check.html

16 posted on 10/23/2009 11:02:00 PM PDT by Rabble
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