The question most frequently asked by the general public is “What can I do to help the troops? Where do I go to find a place I can contribute?”

As I mention in the book, Mom’s Field Guide: What You Need to Know to Make it Through Your Loved One’s Military Deployment, it is no longer possible to address mail to “any servicemember.” It is still possible though to support the troops and their families. Ask your friends and acquaintances. Ask your local churches and community organizations. Ask at your local National Guard Armory. Search online for “support the troops.” Or hook up with one of the many organizations I mention in the book. Just a few of these are www.booksforsoldiers.com, www.sgtsmom.com, and more. Each one of these contains links that will lead you on to other support groups. It’s not hard to find a way to contribute once you start to look.

The latest one I’ve run across, and a really easy and simple thing to do is at www.letssaythanks.com. Check it out. You go there and sign a card to send to a soldier. You can do this every day. It costs nothing, but you know you touched a life that might be in need of a kind thought. You choose your card, choose your message or type in one of your own, and an actual postcard is mailed to a soldier–signed by you with your hometown and name on it. It’s easy, it’s free, and it’s supportive. You see how easy this can be?

Don’t forget to ask friends and acquaintances for the names of soldiers and a list of their needs. Get an address and send a package. You will brighten the day of someone who is doing a dangerous, hot, dirty, and often thankless job. And you’ll feel so good about yourself. I can’t even begin to tell you.

–Sandy Doell

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