SERVE YOUR COUNTRY: SUPPORT THE TROOPS
Supporting the troops does not have to be a political
statement. In fact, it’s a patriotic gesture that we can all
afford to put into practice.

There are a number of ways to support the troops, some
having a larger impact than others.  We all see the
magnets and bumper stickers on cars that say “Support
the Troops” or “Support our Marines” or other branches
of the service.  The magnets and bumper stickers cost
about 3.00 each and show your community you support
the troops. Before you purchase a magnet or bumper
sticker, make sure the profit made from the sale will
actually go to support the troops in some fashion.
Unfortunately there are people lining their pockets on
the sweat of our troops the and patriotism of our citizens.

There are other avenues to support the troops that can
cost very little, pay enormous returns to you and give
something to the troops who are the most in need.

Volunteering your time to write cards and letters to
injured troops has an amazing impact on the morale of
the injured and truly helps in their healing. It also helps
the families of these men and women to know that
people do care that LCpl. Mike lost an arm or SSgt. Anne
was severely burned while serving their country. Their
recoveries will take months if not years, and moral
support is essential to their mental well-being. More and
more service members are in need of these
organizations to help them and the need will probably
continue for years to come. Organizations such as the
USO , the American Red Cross, Operation Care Package,
Operation Hero Miles, Fisher House, Semper Fi Fund,
Wounded Warriors Organization and Camp.Doha.org all
serve to support our nations soldiers, sailors, airmen
and Marines. It’s important to note that people looking
for Pen-Pals should not expect return mail from any
soldier, sailor, airmen or Marine deployed to a war zone
or hospitalized for any reason. If they wish to reply that‘s
an added bonus, but it should never be a requirement.

After September 11, 2001; due to security concerns, the
Department of Defense suspended programs that mailed
care packages and or letters to “any soldier.”  Programs
that are not practicing secure methods should be
avoided. If the organization is posting names and
address of deployed soldiers, sailors and Marines, avoid
them. If packages do make their way to deployed troops
without a specific name, they are left unopened due to
security issues.  

“America Supports You” a Department of Defense
initiative lists numerous organizations that do a good job
of keeping our troops safe and getting them items they
need while deployed and at home. Some organizations
are better than others though so you might want to do
some research on your own before donating or
participating.

One thing to look for when deciding who to donate or
volunteer your time to is 501(c) (3) charitable
organization status and if you can find out what
percentage they spend on administration and what
actually goes to the troops, all the better. Some
organizations make this information public although you
may have to dig a little to find it. Avoid sending cash
donations to organizations that are not forthright with
this information or you may be paying for many things
that don’t directly benefit our troops. You should also
verify their tax identification number through the IRS at
the following toll free number 877-829-5500.  

Stay away from organizations that “sell” care packages
filled with frilly nonessential items such as Teddy Bears
or contain only one or two items. A USPS Flat Rate
Priority box can be sent to any FPO or APO for 8.95 and
weigh up to 70 pounds so an organization that is mindful
of costs will fill the box to capacity with items the
soldiers, sailors or Marines can really use.

One other very important thing you can do to support the
troops is raise money for any of these wonderful
charities. Many private clubs throughout the country
have charity events, such as golf tournaments, spaghetti
feeds, walk or run-a -thons, and even bake sales. The
ideas are limitless. Motor cycle clubs, bowling leagues,
church bazaars and high school community awareness
events are all likely candidates for organizing events to
help support the troops and serve their country in the
process. Veterans Associations are always willing to
pitch in and help raise money for causes that support
our troops.

We can’t all serve our country in uniform, but we can all
serve in other ways. School children can draw pictures
and write letters while learning that patriotism is not
politics. Seniors living in nursing facilities or retired at
home can write letters or help with charity events.  

Almost everyone can do something. Let’s see what you
can do.



Have a current APO or
FPO address and contact
sending to. You may NOT
send packages to “Any
Soldier” they will be
rejected.

Have a large, storage
facility where volunteers
will have room to organize
and box the supplies.

Make sure your fliers are
clear about what can and
cannot be sent to the
foreign country you’re
mailing to.

Remove inappropriate
items.  (USPS will be able
to help with this if you don’t
know) and give people
plenty of notice so you
have a better turn out.
Customs forms will need
to be filled out for EVERY
package.

USPS will deliver free to
your home or office, flat
rate priority boxes and
customs forms. One flat
rate package filled to
capacity will cost 8.95 to
send as of June 2007. Be
sure to have enough
money for postage.

It’s okay and highly
recommended to put a
note in each care
package. Ask your local
elementary, middle or high
school to write letters.
(Screen the letters for
appropriateness before
sending,) Do not expect
return letters.

Save the home-baked
goods for the families to
send. If you don’t know the
tricks, the service member
may end up with a zip lock
bag full of powder or a
moldy chocolate mess.
Care Package
Drive Tips
©  2007-2008 Katie Wigington