Tithing Tuesday, 121112: Supporting Our Troops

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Welcome Back to Tithing Tuesday!! =)

 "Live for something rather than die for nothing."   

~George S. Patton

It's Tuesday, so you know what that means: it's Tithing Tuesday here at Beholden To None. =)

This week, I wanted to do a spotlight in support of our troops~ those who are serving overseas this holiday season~ away from their families~ and those spending this holiday season in a hospital, after being injured in the service of their country.

I don't know about you, but during the holidays my heart really goes out to those who can't spend the holiday season with the ones they love. =|  So I wanted to do a piece on how to help our troops and their families, to have a better holiday, and beyond.  Unfortunately, the main programs I was going to highlight mostly have cut-off dates~ for holiday cards and care package delivery for the troops overseas~ that have already come and gone (HOW is it even December already, anyway?!? ;oP), but the information will be good to have for the coming year, and for next year's holiday season~ So be sure to bookmark it, to add to your gift-giving fun next year! =)  And don't worry, there ar still a couple ways to actively support our troops yet this holiday season, and I will line those up towards the end of the post.

Now on to some of the many wonderful resources out there to help you support, volunteer, donate to, or thank your military service men and service women and their families...

First on the docket is the USO...  The USO (United Service Organizations), is a nonprofit organizations based out of Washington D.C. that has provided "a home away from home" for service members all over the world for over 70 years now, and continues to do so.  It also sponsors numerous programs to "lift the spirits of America's troops and their families", and will continue to do so, as there mission statement says: "Until Every One Comes Home."  Among the many ways the USO is helping troops and their families is through the "USO Holiday Boxes" program.  The packages are sent out four times throughout the year, so this is a good one if you find yourself inclined to "do a good deed"~ and pay it forward to the people who serve so we may enjoy our freedoms~ long after this holiday season is over. =)  For each $25.00 donation, the USO provides one care package, sent to bring cheer to troops in remote overseas locations, by providing a little bit of home through holiday decorations and treats, DVD's, games, greeting cards, and ways to help send messages home to their families.  It's a wonderful organization, and this - the newest of their programs- is already a big hit with deployed troops around the world.

"The Soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the Soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war."  ~Douglas MacArthur

A wonderful organization, Adopt A Platoon, has an amazing website with lots of information on how to help service members serving overseas.  AdoptAPlatoon, a 501 c(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Ida Haag in 1998 when her son was deployed to a remote location and he requested help getting mail to some of his buddies who weren't getting any.  It has since grown into a national organization whose mission "strives to provide a better deployment quality of life by sending cards, letters and car packages to lift morale for deployed Troops as they serve far from home, and assisting military families" through various programs and campaigns throughout the year.    

Another wonderful labor-of-love turned national nonprofit organization to benefit troops serving on deployments throughout the world is Give2theTroops.  This organization also has year round campaigns, a calendar of which you can find here and here.  Their "Cater to Our Canines" Program collects needed items for our Military Working K9 Unit Dogs deployed with their handlers in various locations throughout the world.  How amazing is that?! =)

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."  ~Elmer Davis

Another organization near-and-dear is "Books For Soldiers," which is set up to help volunteers send books, DVDs, CDs and magazines to troops deployed overseas.  Deployed service members can often experience a great deal of down time on deployments and sending 'brain food' helps pass the time in more meaningful and entertaining ways.

Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization based in Van Nuys, CA, "annually sends 100,000 care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions, to their children left behind and to Wounded Warriors, Veterans and First Responders."  Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 815,000 packages to American Military members all over the world.  Your tax-deductable donation helps defer the organization's costs of $15.00 per care package for shipping and assembly.

The Red Cross is one of the largest contributors and organizers of holiday cards for the troops during the holidays.  Their drive begins early in the fall, and the deadline to get your cards into them to participate in the season's "Holiday Mail for Heroes" is December 1st.  Unfortunately, this year's drive is done, but I wanted to be sure to add them here because they are a great supporters of our military members, veterans, and their families, and it is worth hanging on to this information for the future.  =)
One final bullet list of three ways you can help, thank, and/or support our military today:

• Operational Homefront:  whose mission it is to "provide emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors," has a running list of service members, veterans, and their families who find themselves in dire straights after injuries, deployments, and other varying situations~ as well as ways for you to help, right now. =)

• A Million Thanks "

is a year-round campaign to show our appreciation for our U.S. Military Men and Women, past and present, for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to our country through our letters, emails, cards, and prayers."

The Base Exchange isn't just for military members any more... Now, ANYONE can purchase prepaid calling cards, Exchange Gift Cards, or Gift Certificates for troops deployed downrange! =)  SUCH a fabulous resource, and gift, to help families stay close over the holidays, and beyond, while service members are deployed! 

O~KAY! =oD ...If that doesn't give you some way to help support your military troops~ or if you have another way that I didn't get to mention here~ please contact me, and we'll talk! =o)

I only have one more thing to say on the matter tonight:

=o)

Whatever you decide to do, however you "give back" and "pay forward,""

THANK YOU! =oD

May your imagination light your way,

~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]