5 Ways to Lighten Holidays for American ServicemenBy Barbara Pronin Until recently, it was possible to send care packages to U.S. service men and women by addressing the package “To Any Service Member” and sending it via the U.S, Postal Service. Increased mailing restrictions now make that impossible. But if the holiday spirit moves you to remember service members or their families at holiday time this year, there are many non-profit (501c3) organizations dedicated to helping you do just that – and the donations you make are tax-deductible. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started: Operation USO – A visit to the uso.org website will enable you to donate $25 or more, which the USO will use to send care packages of needed and requested items to currently deployed service men and women. Books for Soldiers – If you sign up at booksforsoldiers.com, you can send requested books, magazines DVDs and more directly to the soldiers who have asked for them. Operation Wounded Warrior – The organization, which has mailed over 600,000 care packages to deployed service members, now provides Wounded Warrior Care Packages to service members recovering in military hospitals and transition units located on bases throughout the United States. You can start by going to operationgratitude.com. Operation Shoebox – Donations to this organization pay for the supplies and postage of care packages sent to American troops worldwide. Learn more and get started at operationshoebox.com. Camp Desert Kids – Through the website at campdesertkids.org, you can make a donation that will be used to pay for a camp experience for the children of service men and women. The camps use games, crafts, and regional food and drink to help teach kids about the place their parents are serving, helping military children to better understand the deployments that shape their lives. |
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