Hi.
I belong to a group called Soldiers' Angels. (www.soldiersangels.org) we have several military support groups.
- Operation Top Knot, (soldiersangels.org/top-knot.html)
I participate with this one. We provide virtual/mailbox baby showers to Military moms-to-be. We just hosted a physical shower for 170 moms-to-be at Ft. Hood on April 30! I just LOVE packing up a box of baby stuff and sending it off. Sometimes I get emotional thank-you cards, sometimes I don't. That's okay.
- Adopt a Soldier or group - you agree to send a letter every week and at least one package a month to a soldier from the time of 'adoption' through the end of their deployment. I currently have one adoptee that is coming home soon (yea!). There are several ladies that have 5+. I think the rule is you can only adopt one every 30 days...
- Any soldier - through the store site, you can send a care package to 'any soldier'. I've done this. Its pretty cool to have a package of coffee show up 'just because!'
- One Time Care Packages: this is an 'as needed' request group for those who want to help but not the commitment of Adopting a soldier or group.
- There are 18 others sub-groups: letter writing, Wounded Warriors, Blankets of Hope.
You can also just send donation items to the SA Warehouse in San Antonio. There is a list of items, ideas on the website under 'Donate'. These items ARE tax-deductible.
The thing to keep in mind is that you may or may not get a response to your packages, and your adoptee may or may not respond to your letters. They mention that up front and its okay! My adoptee won't tell me anything personal beyond that he's married with kids from Nebraska. That's okay. I don't know exactly where he's stationed, just the APO area, so I know he's in the Middle East, but that's it. He sometimes responds to email, and sometimes its 2 months. That's okay. He's a bit busy!!
I did send him an email on May 2 to thank him and his group, and if he knew any SEALS, for my birthday present, (bday is May 1) and he responded with 'You're welcome!'... that was only the 3rd or 4th time he's responded since August.
Another local group is Operation Home Front
(http://www.operationhomefront.net/)
M.