Today is National Hug a GI Day and I thought about what
could I do be serve as a hug? The GIs I know are too far away for a hug. Then I
remembered there are many organizations which help send cards, letters, care
packages and many other services to the U.S. service men and women and so much
more. I’ll feature each one with a brief description of the services they
provide and the websites for more information on how to get involved.
A Million Thanks www.amillionthanks.org: This
organization provides support and appreciation to active duty and veteran
service men and women through letters, granting betterment of life wishes and
helping fund college scholarships for their children.
Adopt a Platoon www.adoptaplatoon.org: This organization provides
ongoing mail support for service men and women and their families. Individuals
or groups can pledge to write letters or send care packages to one service
member or as many as entire platoon. Their mission is to ensure that all
service members are not forgotten.
Blue Star Mothers
www.bluestarmothers.org: This
organization is made up of mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers and legal
guardians of service men and women. Their goal is to support each other and
their children during their time of service. Their mission is to make sure that
no service member, veteran or fallen warrior is forsaken or forgotten.
Books for Soldiers
www.booksforsoldiers.com: This
volunteer organization sends care packages of books, DVDs, games and relief
supplies as requested by the soldiers. This network of volunteers is operated
by Red Grail Ministries, an interfaith relief church whose main goal is to
provide comfort, counseling and fellowship to individuals in crisis situations.
Cell phones for
Soldiers www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com:
This nonprofit organization recycles donated cell phones and turns them into
calling cards for active duty service members and veterans. They are dedicated
to providing cost-free communications.
Homefront Hugs www.homefronthugs.org: This
organization serves the troops and their families. Their mission is to ensures
that no hero is forgotten as long as freedom means sacrifice. They have many
programs for individuals, groups, as well as kids and teens to get involved in.
Operation Gratitude
www.operationgratitude.com:
This organization sends care packages to new recruits, veterans, first
responders, wounded warriors, care givers of wounded, and to individual service
members. Their mission is to lift the spirits and meets the needs of active
duty and veteran communities. They help allow all Americans to express their
appreciation.
United Service
Organizations www.uso.org: The USO has
been serving men and women of the military since 1941 and their mission is to
lift the spirits and support military men and women and their families until
everyone comes home. The USO offers many ways for individuals in get involved
in support of our troops.
The various mission statements of these organizations have
the same theme: to ensure that our service men and women as well as our
veterans are thanked, appreciated and never forgotten as they serve to protect
our nation and come home to heal from the wounds of war. I have pledged myself
to start writing letters to the as many service men and women as I can as well
as send care packages when I can. I remember writing to a soldier in Operation
Desert Storm when I was in fifth grade. It was an experience that has stuck
with me and I want to be send a piece of home to someone serving to protect me
and my family.
Many thanks and
virtual hugs
To all the service
men and women in the
United States Armed
Forces
No comments:
Post a Comment