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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
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03/01/2003 |
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Hundreds of thousands of men and women from all over America are serving in
our armed forces and away from their homes. While they serve our country, those
of us “on the homefront” can be making a difference too.
Many Americans are looking for ways to support members of the military and
their families. The following are some of the ways you can express your support
for our troops, give time and care to their families, and help strengthen their
communities.
Help for Troops
- Through
Operation Dear
Abby, send e-mail messages to deployed troops of any Service from
your home state.
- Through
Defend
America, sign an online thank you card to troops.
- Through
Operation USO Care
Package, contribute to the purchase of a care package of items
requested by troops such as sunscreen, disposable cameras, prepaid calling
cards, and toiletries.
- Through
Operation Uplink, contribute to the purchase of phone cards that
will be distributed to military personnel and hospitalized veterans.
- Through AMVETS
Voices From Home™
contribute to the purchase of instant voice email packages so military
families can send voice emails to the troops in remote locations.
Help for Families
- Offer your time and resources as an individual, organization, or business
to give families of deployed troops help with activities such as household
repairs, spring cleanings, and yard work or specialized skills such as
financial planning or legal advice. Volunteer by contacting a local chapter of
any of the following organizations: American
Legion, American Red Cross,
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BPO
Elks of the USA, Camp Fire USA,
National 4-H Headquarters,
National Fraternal Congress of America,
Rebuilding Together,
The Salvation Army,
U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
Volunteer Center National Network,
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and YMCA
of the USA. For additional information about these groups,
click here.
- Volunteer with one of the youth serving organizations helping to tutor or
take care of children while a parent or caregiver is stationed away from home.
Some of these organizations include the
Boys and Girls Clubs of America,
Camp Fire USA,
National 4-H Headquarters, and
YMCA of the USA.
- If you want to donate money, there are many organizations that help
military families. Each of the branches of the armed services has a military
relief society that offer low interest loans and other emergency financial
assistance to military families:
Army Emergency Relief,
Navy/Marine Relief
Society,
Air Force Aid Society and
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.
Help for Educators
- Teachers can find new resources on the
U.S.
Department of Education web site meant to help them work with
students with a parent or other relative deployed in the military. The web
site also offers information on effectively working with students generally
who may have questions or ideas about war.
Help for Others
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