For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 25, 2003
USA Freedom Corps Launches "On the Homefront"
"On the Homefront"
USA Freedom Corps
Today, the USA Freedom Corps launched a new resource for people seeking
to support our troops, their families, and their communities called "On
the Homefront."
Background
While hundreds of thousands of men and women from all
over America are serving in the armed forces and away from their homes,
those on the homefront can be making a difference too. Many
individuals and organizations are looking for ways to support our
troops, their families, and our country.
Partnering with the Department of Defense, the USA Freedom Corps is
offering resources to Americans who want to express their support for
members of the military, and help their families in meaningful ways.
Here are some of the ways to support our troops, give time and care to
their families, and strengthen our communities.
These resources are available online at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
Support Our Troops
There is a long tradition of writing letters and
sending care packages to troops stationed away from home. To minimize
delays and complications in getting this kind of support to our troops,
the Department of Defense recommends the following:
Help for Families
Families of reservists, National Guard men and
women and active duty military may need extra help in meeting basic
home and family needs during deployment. There are many ways
individuals, organizations, and businesses can offer their time and
resources to help families of deployed troops. Here are some of the
opportunities now available through the USA Freedom Corps' new "On the
Homefront" web resource:
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The local chapters of the American Legion, American Red Cross,
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BPO Elks of the USA, Camp Fire USA,
National 4-H Council, National Fraternal Congress of America, The
Salvation Army, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
and YMCA of the USA are among leading community service organizations
providing ways for volunteers to help local military families.
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Working with the National Guard and Reserve, as well as with
military bases, these organizations will match volunteers with
families that need help in areas such as household repairs, spring
cleanings or tutoring and direct those families to businesses and
organizations that may be offering free or discounted services.
Volunteers can also help families, including those who own small
businesses, with specialized skills like major repairs, financial
planning or legal services.
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Some of these organizations are also helping to take care of
children, after school and on the weekends, whose families have a
parent or caregiver stationed away from home. Organizations such as
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire USA, National 4-H Council, and
YMCA of the USA are playing important roles in these efforts.
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Individuals can also make a difference at home by reaching out to
share their time and compassion with veterans to say "thank you" for
their service to our country and by volunteering with a Veterans
Administration hospital or other facility.
Service In Communities
Individuals who want to help strengthen
their community and America can do so through volunteer service. Some
communities may need particular help to replace valued volunteers who
have been deployed.
Local opportunities for volunteer service such as mentoring a
child, teaching someone to read, working in a local police department
or serving at a local food shelter can be found through the USA Freedom
Corps web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling
1-877-USA-CORPS. President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office
at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and
responsibility.
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