More Charities for Troops

[GirlInTraining]

This was sent out by our family support office - other ways to help our vets this holiday season (and beyond):

Projects to assist deployed members:
Operation Shoe Box - Created by a Belleview FL woman who is mother of 5 on active duty - www.OperationShoeBox.com

Operation Care Package - co-sponsored by USO and Bass Pro Shops - www.usocares.org or www.basspro.com

Attn: Any Soldier - Seeks donations of hand warmers, inflatable pillows, all-weather or emergency blankets, anti-bacterial wipes, and Beanie Babies for soldiers to give to Iraqi children - www.anysoldier.us

Operation Military Pride - www.operationmilitarypride.org

Operation Hero Miles - 7 airlines signed up to a program launched so people can donate their frequent flier miles for troops coming home on emergencies or R&R. They can get to the port free, but must pay for the additional travel themselves. www.heromiles.org

Operation Phone Home - sponsored by USO, supplies free phone cards to troops overseas. www.uso.org

Operation Desert Smile - co-sponsored by USO & Reader's Digest to distribute $500,000 of snacks, toiletries, books, CDs, etc to troops - www.uso.org

Operation Military Care - Organized by U.S. War Dogs Association, it is devoted to supporting the American war canines and their handlers in Iraq. Looking for rope toys, tennis balls, dog combs & brushes, jerky, biscuits and large size dog booties, and funds to assist in shipping costs. www.uswardogs.org

Gifts from the Homefront - Organized by the Pentagon's PX and base exchanges, this project turns donations into gift certificates that troops can use at the BXs in the Gulf or elsewhere. www.aafes.com

Gift of Groceries - Similar program by Defense Commissary Agency, this provides gift certificates for troops or for family members back home to use in commissaries. www.commissaries.com/certificheck

Fisher House - Established 'comfort homes' on the grounds of centers where families of those wounded in Iraq & elsewhere can stay. Funds to pay for lodging costs, and a fund for the spouses & children of those who die in defense of their country. Also has an on-line guestbook where people can send messages of encouragement & thanks. www.fisherhouse.org