U.S. TROOPS: HOW TO SUPPORT

The following information is summarized from the United States Department of Defense Community Relations website: www.ourmilitary.mil/resources/community-support-for-our-military/

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Community Relations site currently lists more than 100 non-profit groups that are devoted to helping U.S. service men and women. The groups provide a multitude of services, including educational assistance, care packages and letters, and support for wounded soldiers.

For safety and security reasons, the military cannot send letters, packages or individually donated items to the troops. Also, for security and privacy reasons, the military will not provide the names or the addresses of servicemen. It is not going to be possible for individuals, towns, agencies, etc. to support specific servicemen. Anyone who wants to verify this, or get more information, can call their local Military Family Support Center.

HOW WE CAN HELP- The following ways to support the troops are listed, but not specifically endorsed by, the Department of Defense. A complete list of organizations providing support services to troops can be found at the Community Relations website: www.ourmilitary.mil/comprehensive-list-of-community-support-groups/

SENDING MESSAGES TO TROOPS ON DUTY

• ANY SOLDIER INC.
  www.anysoldier.com/
  helps individuals and organizations send e-mails, letters and packages to soldiers serving overseas who may not receive much or any mail.
• GIVE2THETROOPS www.give2thetroops.org/
  Connecticut based organization sends letters and care packages to soldiers in all military branches serving in combat zones around the world.
  

SENDING DONATIONS

• OPERATION UPLINK www.operationuplink.org/
  accepts donations of prepaid calling cards for members of the military and hospitalized veterans to keep in touch with their families.
• OPERATION USO CARE PACKAGE https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=565&
  INDIVIDUALS can donate $25 for the purchase of a care package which the USO will assemble and deliver to members of the military deployed overseas. Donations go toward requested items such ascalling cards, disposable cameras, and shaving kits. Donors are allowed to include a personal greeting.
  CORPORATIONS can donate items purchased in bulk and mailed directly from the manufacturer to the USO.
• MILITARY AID AND RELIEF SOCIETIES
  Make a donation to a military relief society. Links to the relief societies of all the Armed Forces branches can be found at the Army Emergency Relief website http://www.aerhq.org/dnn563/RelatedLinks.aspx
• FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION www.fisherhouse.org/Make a donation to support the work of the Fisher House Foundation which builds and supports "comfort homes" which are located on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.
• AMERICAN RED CROSS  http://www.redcross.org/what-we-do/support-military-families
  Make a donation to the American Red Cross, which offers support services to military and military families here and abroad.

Other suggested ways of showing support for members of the military include performing volunteer work at a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital or reaching out to military families in your local community, particularly those with a family member serving overseas.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service names:Military Donations/Relief Programs
Military Family Service/Support Centers

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SOURCES:U.S. Department of Defense website; 2-1-1 database
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: August2012