There was a story on the news today that the armed forces are no longer accepting packages addressed to "any soldier." So whatever site you choose, make certain it will allow you to send to a specific soldier. Or you can check the USO web site, I know they accept donations, especially at this time of year.
TAX DEDUCTIBLE Cash donations can be sent to:
Jeffrey Burgess Recreational Fund
Plymouth Savings Bank
36 MAIN STREET
BOX 3506
Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02361
Phone: 508-746-3300
This is the charity that my friend set up in memorial for a fallen Marine.
His story is found here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/1171628/posts
The money collected is used to buy sporting goods and recreational equipment for the troops and Iraqi Kids.
I have had 2 dries so far, and am going to drop off the second load to Cherry Point soon.
Here's another great way to contribute:
http://www.fisherhouse.org/
PING!
Try this one: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1279368/posts
It's a nice gesture! thanks! My brother and nephew are serving in Iraq, so I doubly appreciate it!
Pay your taxes.
I think it's great you want to help the troops out, especially during the Holidays, when they are so far from their families! I found this site awhile back, looks like they are doing some things for Christmas!
http://www.angelsncamouflage.org/new.html
http://www.operationac.com/
This operation was started by a very dedicated woman in San Diego. I have heard her interviewed by Roger Hedgcock. She sends everything over there although she started with air conditioners.
International Calling Cards.......
Puts families in contact ...best gift for all of our military deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.......nothing quite like the gift of a child, wife ,husband, mother , father or sweethearts being able to hear from a loved one for 10 or 20 minutes.
That's what I gave this year......
Take em to the Armed Forces Recruiting Center or DOD installation near you. If you have trouble finding "who" to give em too ask for the Base or Post Public Affairs Officer or the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Major Command on that installitation phone numbers and trust them to get your "gift" to the right place for our troops in combat zones around the world.
Ya might want to get that done pretty quick.....USPS has a deadline if Uncle Sugar won't hand carry em to the troops.
Operation AC which will hook you up with the name and address of someone serving overseas. It allows you to "adopt" a soldier. The military is no longer allowing packages to be sent to "Any Soldier".
Another really worthwhile place to donate would be Soldier Ride/The Wounded Warrior Project, which helps our wounded vets, especially those who are recovering from the loss of limbs. You may have heard of this on Fox News, or the Tony Snow Show.
Mark
As a 20 year veteran of the military and recipient of these while in Vietnam, I would suggest that you organize something locally to send "Care Packages", homemade cookies, candy, magazines to the troops overseas. I'm currently assigned as a civilian in Korea and can assure you that there are SEVERAL single and unaccompanied soldiers assigned here that would absolutely cherish receiving one of those packages. I'd be willing to organize something at this end to get you some names and addresses, or maybe a General Delivery address for care packages to be delivered to soldiers up on the DMZ. I had thought about organizing something here myself when I saw your post.
Send me a private reply if you(or anybody here at FR) are interested in doing something like this. Christmas isn't so far away and most packages take 12-15 days to arrive.
In the unlikely case that they have needs which you can fill, you will know with certainty first hand.
The USO.
Ping - I have an idea that needs research.
He is asking for "Boots" - for the Iraqi kids because they have only sandals that are lousy in the mud of the Iraqi winter.
He has been sending regular reports on the situation in Iraq - they are upbeat and detail progress being made. I plan to get a package together with several pair of boots and socks. You may find it a good cause also.
KVI Boots for Suits
As many of you heard, Lt. Bryan Suits wants to collect boots and warm socks to hand out to the Iraqi kids. Most of them are still wearing sandals although the weather has grown colder and it rains a lot.
If you would like to help out Bryan, you can by sending him children's -sized rubber rain boots and wool socks. Packages can be mailed directly to Bryan at:
Lieutenant Bryan Suits C CO, TF161INF
3BCT, 1CavDiv
APO AE 09348
Thanks for supporting Boots for Suits!
Currently we are sending things to 5 units in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
The latest threads of our The Merry Band of Patriots are
Christmas cards and letters for our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
Care packages and Thank-you Notes for our Troops in Afghanistan
Christmas for our Troops in Kirkuk
WRITE A THANK YOU NOTE TO A SOLDIER IN IRAQ THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Here are some old threads we have been involved with in no particular order.
Holiday FReepmail Messages for our Troops needed
News from Kosovo about Care Packages received
Donations for Christmas Presents for our Troops in the Field
Fasting and Prayers for our Military and the suffering People of Iraq
Project Kosovo, Remembering our Forgotten Troops in the FRY