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

Technorati Tags: LetsSayThanks.com, Support Our Troops, Support the Troops

Hi Sandy,
I visited your website and truly enjoyed everything you’ve posted. It is evident that with you having the experience of a child being deployed, you have a heart for helping others through those hard times. That is wonderful! Unfortunately, the military doesn’t do a very good job of educating us family members and we are forced to learn the hard way — through experiencing it.

I am the wife of an Army SSG, who is currently deployed to Iraq for 15 months (only 10 more to go! *sigh*). Sometimes you start to wonder if you’ll even survive to see that day come. With that being the highlight of my biggest dreams, it is the only hope I have, so yes, I try to keep my head up and know that the day will be here before I know it. We have 3 children (16, 12 and 5), so I never find myself bored, with nothing to do! It’s go, go, go all of the time, which can be a real blessing!

Part of the reason for my e-mail is to ask you to consider adding a link on your website, that leads readers to a free, downloadable E-book entitled “101 Ways to Support Our Troops“. I have downloaded it myself and feel that it is on the mark with creative ideas for people to take on. I also feel that it would benefit those out there who want to do something, but just don’t know WHAT they can do to make a difference. I too, thought that it had lots of great ideas that many people probably have never thought of. It certainly clears up any misconceptions on what it takes for people to show their support. It doesn’t take much….sometimes, it’s just showing that you care and as you said, acknowledging the sacrifices that are being made for the freedoms we all enjoy. With it containing 101 ways, they are sure to find something they can do!

Sometimes it’s hard for people to put themselves in your place, especially when they’ve never had a loved one go to war, so I believe the more they know from those who have actually been there, it’s all the better. Your book is also a wonderful example of that. I am going to share your website and book with everyone in my FRG, as well as other parents/family members of soldiers I am in contact with. We have a MyFamily website for our members and share lots of helpful information with eachother, which really helps. Some of these parents are so very worried and grab on to any piece of news or information they can get their hands on. Us wives, seem to “be in the loop” a little more than the parents of single soldiers.

Thanks for listening and God bless you for all you’re doing! You are truly making a difference!

Sincerely,

Dana M. Wonsowski

Technorati Tags: 101 ways to support our troops