Helping Veterans and Deployed People

How Can Civilians Help Veterans and deployed Men and Women serving our Country?



Making smiles on the faces of the service men and women:

There are so many deployed men and women that lay down their lives for us every day. I see on Facebook every day support our veterans and service men and women, but how can we, as civilians, show our appreciation to these brave men and women?



Care packages:

These men and women are so far away from home and the things you and I take for granted. It would make their day to receive a surprise package and here are a few ideas:

• Sports fans: include chips, nuts, sports themed cups and plates, a sports magazine

• Good morning: include mini boxes of cereal, instant oatmeal packages, cereal bars, Pop Tarts and the comics section of the newspaper.

• Bit of pampering: (for women) fancy shampoos and conditioners, soaps, and lip balm (for men) manly shampoos and conditioners, soaps, and lip balm

• Just for military working dogs overseas: toys, treats, and raw-hides

• Movie night: popcorn boxes of candy and a DVD



In the care packages remember to send a personal note of thanks. If you are not sure what to send and would rather donate to the Military wish list go to the United Service Organization, https://www.USO.org , this is not a branch of the government. There is a whole list these men and women would like and you can choose from this list to make any size donation you can. The United Service Organization in your area will send your care packages for you (just be sure to mark on the outside if it is for a man, woman or Dog). You may want to send writing paper or blank cards so the service men and women can write home. https://www.OperationWriteHome.org



Help right here at home:

There are things we can do right here at home for our brave men and women overseas:

• Gardening: while there are professionals that work on the inside of the homes of service people, volunteers help by doing the gardening and landscaping

• Sponsored outing: walking, bike rides/races, or even a golf outing

• Love animals: help care for a deployed service person’s pet. https://www.DogOnDeployment.org



There are things we can do for our wounded veterans as well. Sign up to board a wounded veterans’ pet while he/she are recovering from battle wounds. This act of kindness gives our wounded warriors time to heal knowing their pet is being cared for. It also lets these special people know we have not forgotten them.