Associated Press
Give Thanks: Support Our Military Family
“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive … to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”
President Abraham Lincoln
Second Inaugural Address
March 4, 1865
When soldiers are deployed overseas, families are left behind and often face financial and emotional hardship. With thousands of charities devoted to supporting our military family, it’s not easy to know which ones are the most worthy of your support.
The Military Family Support Web Guide lists our top charities for supporting military families and troops. Use it to connect with the families and service members who have sacrificed so much for America by sending letters and supplies, volunteering, helping heal wounded soldiers or giving much-needed donations.
Make the United States the country you want it to be: a place where citizens support our military family and honor their principles through even the most challenging of times. Learn how to support the families whose loved ones are currently serving, how to support the troops overseas and those who have returned home, and find Web sites that military families can visit to seek help.
View a Spanish-language version of the Military Family Support Web Guide.
President Abraham Lincoln
Second Inaugural Address
March 4, 1865
When soldiers are deployed overseas, families are left behind and often face financial and emotional hardship. With thousands of charities devoted to supporting our military family, it’s not easy to know which ones are the most worthy of your support.
The Military Family Support Web Guide lists our top charities for supporting military families and troops. Use it to connect with the families and service members who have sacrificed so much for America by sending letters and supplies, volunteering, helping heal wounded soldiers or giving much-needed donations.
Make the United States the country you want it to be: a place where citizens support our military family and honor their principles through even the most challenging of times. Learn how to support the families whose loved ones are currently serving, how to support the troops overseas and those who have returned home, and find Web sites that military families can visit to seek help.
View a Spanish-language version of the Military Family Support Web Guide.
Expand All Guide SectionsProviding Military Family Support
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Sending a Military Care Package
Sending a military care package is a time-honored way to give our troops items they need and to let them know that someone at home is looking out for them. Use the sites below for suggestions on what to send and how to address your military care packages, whether you know a specific service member in need or are reaching out anonymously.
Insights for Sending a Military Care Package
- The U.S. Postal Service provides free boxes for sending military care packages to soldiers.
- Some of the organizations listed below offer several outreach possibilities in addition to sending military care packages. Browse each organization’s site to learn how you can help.
- Some items that may seem basic to you aren't allowed on the frontlines. Before you put together a care package, review these sites to find out which items will be most helpful to the troops and where you can send them.
- The U.S. Department of Defense recently no longer offers the “Any Service Member” program, which allowed people to send care packages to anonymous troops. Care packages now have to be addressed to specific recipients. To help you do that, some of the Web sites in this section provide soldiers’ names and addresses.
Top Sites for Sending a Military Care Package
To send a basic military care package …
USO
(United Service Organizations) offers a wealth of volunteering opportunities, one of which is sending a care package. If you want to send care packages or learn about donation programs, visit the “Send a Gift” section. If you’d like to volunteer visit the “Become a Volunteer” link.
Any Soldier
makes mailing a military care package easy through convenient links near the top of the page, such as “What to Send,” “Where to Send” and “How to Send.” Read the stories of soldiers who have received care packages, along with photos and personal thank-you’s from grateful troops.
To donate clothing …
Sew Much Comfort
helps service members that need special adaptive clothing or apparel because of injuries they have sustained. The organization accepts regular clothing contributions and customizes them to fit the needs of individual soldiers. Visit “Donations” to find out how to help.
To enable soldiers to phone home …
Freedom Calls Foundation
arranges for soldiers to connect with their families at home via telephone, video e-mail or video conference. Through this organization, soldiers have not only been able to place routine calls home without financial hardship, but have also been able to attend milestone family events, such as witnessing weddings and births of children.
Cell Phones for Soldiers
was established by 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother, Robbie. In exchange for each used cell phone received by the company ReCellular, the company donates the funds for one hour-long calling card. The cards are given to service members abroad to contact loved ones back home. Find out how to donate your used cell phone.
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Military Family Services
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