04-03-2003Local organizations, youth clubs and families of servicemen and -women have been collecting, packing and sending care packages to friends and relatives stationed in Iraq. But are the troops getting the packages?
According to the mother of a local soldier, they are not. She said she was told the packages are being held in Kuwait for distribution after the war.
So how can people show their support for the troops? In several ways, says the Department of Defense.
In late March, the DOD joined with USA Freedom Corps to launch “On The Home Front,” a new resource for people seeking to support our troops, their families and their communities in meaningful ways. Volunteer resources are available by calling 877-USA-CORPS, or online at www.usafreedomcorps.gov
To minimize delays and complications in sending support, DOD recommends:
• Operation Dear Abby. Send e-mail messages to deployed troops of any service from your home state via: http://anyservicemember.navy.mil
• Defend America. Sign an online thank-you card for troops at: http://defendamerica.mil/nmam.html
• Operation USA Care Package. Contribute to the purchase of a care package of items forwarded to troops such as sunscreen, disposable cameras, prepaid calling cards and toiletries via: www.usocares.org/home
Soldiers aren’t the only ones who need assistance in times of war. Military families may need extra help in meeting basic home and family needs during the deployment of a loved one. There are many ways individuals, organizations and businesses can offer their time and resources to help. Following are some opportunities now available through the USA Freedom Corps’ new “On the Home Front” Web resource.
Local chapters of the American Legion, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Benevolent and Protective Order of 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 the YMCA are among leading community service organizations providing ways for volunteers to help local military families. These national organizations are working with the National Guard and Reserve units, as well as with military bases, to match volunteers with families that need help in areas such as household repairs, spring cleaning or tutoring, and to direct those families to businesses and organizations that may be offering free or discounted services.
Volunteers also can help families, including those who own small businesses, with specialized skills like major repairs, financial planning or legal services. Some of these organizations also are helping to take care of children, after school and on the weekends, whose families have a parent or caregiver stationed away from home.
According to the DOD, “Community volunteer service helps 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 also be found through the USA Freedom Corps’ new On The Home Front Web site.”