How to Support the U.S. Troops 5/15/2010
For safety and security reasons, the military cannot send letters, packages, or individually donated items to the troops. The Department of Defense suspended the familiar “Any Service Member” program after the anthrax threats following 9/11. There are some "Support Our Troops" collection drives taking place in Idaho, but unfortunately the military will not be able to send these items to the troops. The military appreciates people’s generosity and concern, but the policy is in place for the safety of the soldiers.
For security reasons, the military will not provide the names or the addresses of servicemen. It is not going to be possible for individuals, towns, agencies, etc. to support specific servicemen. Anyone who wants to verify this, or get more information, can call their local Military Family Support Center or go to the US Dept. of Defense web page about this: http://www.dod.mil/news/Dec2002/b12122002_bt632-02.html
The Department of Defense writes: "Please do not flood the military mail system with letters, cards, and gifts. Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the Department cannot accept items to be mailed to 'Any Service Member.’ Some people have tried to avoid this prohibition by sending large numbers of packages to an individual serviceman's address, which however well intentioned, clogs the mail and causes unnecessary delays."
Families of individual servicemen can send items and letters to their loved one's individual military post office address, but the Department of Defense asks that they not "clog" the mail system with large numbers of packages. A better way to send things to their loved ones may be to take advantage of the Gift of Groceries program described below. This program enables families to designate gift certificates for a particular soldier.
How You Can Help - The following ways to support the troops are listed, but not specifically endorsed by, the Department of Defense on its web page concerning this topic: http://www.ourmilitary.mil/index.aspx
Sending Donations
www.commissaries.com/certificheck/index.cfm or by calling 1-877-770-GIFT
A new partnership between CertifiChecks, America's hometown gift certificate resource center, the United Service Organizations (USO), the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Fisher House Foundation, Inc., and the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) lets every American make a significant material contribution to the morale and well being of military personnel at home and across the globe.
Operation Uplink
http://www.operationuplink.org/
accepts donations of prepaid calling cards for members of the military and hospitalized veterans to keep in touch with their families.
Operation USO Care Package
Individuals can donate $25 for the purchase of a care package which the USO will assemble and deliver to members of the military deployed overseas. Donations go toward requested items such as calling cards, disposable cameras, and shaving kits. Donors are allowed to include a personal greeting. Corporations can donate items purchased in bulk and mailed directly from the manufacturer to the USO.
Military Aid and Relief Societies
http://www.aerhq.org/links.asp
Make a donation to a military relief society. Links to the relief societies of all the Armed Forces branches can be found at the Army Emergency Relief web site.
Fisher House Foundation
http://www.fisherhouse.org/theHouses/helpUsBuild.shtml
Make a donation to support the work of the Fisher House Foundation which builds and supports "comfort homes" which are located on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.
American Red Cross
Make a donation to the American Red Cross, which offers support services to military and military families here and abroad.
How to Support the Idaho Troops
Army OneSource Online: www.armyonesource.com or call 1-800-464-8107
Military Family Resource Center - includes link to Teen and Youth Programs: http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/
Other suggested ways of showing support for members of the military include performing volunteer work at a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital or reaching out to military families in your local community, particularly those with a family member serving overseas.