Support The Troops
One of the most noble endeavours an American citizen can engage themselves in is supporting our troops deployed overseas. Below is a list of some of the top military charities in the United States, which can facilitate just about any way you can think of to support our men and women in uniform. These charities are making a difference, and so can you.
If you run a military charity and would like to be added to the list, please let Charlie or John know by clicking the "Contact Us" link.
Adopt A Platoon Perfect for church groups and community organizations, Adopt A Platoon matches willing sponsors with platoon sized units deployed to foward areas. Sponsors send letters, care packages, and personal items to platoons in need. AAP is one of the most popular military charities.
Adopt A Sniper Adopt A Sniper is comprised of a confederation of military and law enforcement snipers from across the country who provide their brothers-in-arms with materials that make their lives -and their jobs- easier. Items range personal hygiene gear to tactical products such as holsters, high-speed rucksacks, new optics, and rifle accessories.
America Supports You ASY is a DoD sponsored outreach program which provides centrality to the plethora of troop support non-profits, and solicits corporate assistance towards the support the troops mission.
A Million Thanks A Million Thanks is a campaign to show support for American troops through letter writing, emails, cards, prayers, and thoughts.
Any Soldier Any Soldier started as a Maryland couple's effort to help out their son's Army unit in Northern Iraq. Today it is one of the premier support the troops organizations, sending thousands of letters and care packages to deployed Soldiers, Airman, Sailors, and Marines throughout the globe. Any Soldier is John's favorite military charity.
Books For Soldiers As the name implies, Books For Soldiers sends reading materials to troops overseas. BFS operated as a ministry of a non-denominational church in North Carolina, and boasts a robust volunteer base in support of their efforts.
Cell Phones For Soldiers Cell Phones For Soldiers was the initiative of two 13 year olds. The program trades in used cell phones for calling cards, which are sent to deployed troops around the world.
Helmets To Hardhats Helmets To Hardhats is an organization dedicated to matching employers seeking qualified military candidates with troops whose service committment has ended. Useful for both businesses and servicemen and women, HTH has helped employ scores of American troops from across the country.
Hero Bracelets A remarkably original military charity, Hero Bracelets sells bracelets honoring fallen soldiers and directs those funds into training facilities for disabled veterans.
Operation Hero Miles Operation Hero Miles was created by Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger in cooperation with close to a dozen United States Airlines in October, 2003. The program allows troops stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan to fly home on leave for free. Travelers donate their unused frequent flyer miles to the Pentagon and troops and families use them to get free tickets. In the first six months of the program, 540 million miles were donated - enough for 22,000 free tickets.
Operation Give Operation Give is run by a soldier affectionately known as Chief Wiggles and his crew of volunteers. The program coordinates the collection and distribution of toys and other items for Iraqi children.
Operation Iraqi Children Founded by actor Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, Apollo 11) and author Laura Hildenbrand (Seabiscuit), OIC enables Americans to send Iraqi children, who are plagued by poor learning conditions, school supply kits and other items that enhance their learning experience.
Operation Quiet Comfort Operation Quiet Comfort creates "Go Bags," also known as transition kits, to injured troops who are healing at overseas medical facilities. Go Bags include quilts, personal effects, and entertainment items to keep troops occupied while they recover.
Operation Uplink Operation Uplink a unique program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Using contributions from supporters, OU purchases phone cards and distributes them to servicemen and women who are separated from their families.
Operation Troop Appreciation OTA strives to provide troops with "wish list" items from specific military units: CDs, Under Armour t-shirts, sports equipment, musical instruments, and personal care items are just a few of OTA's target gifts. OTA's mission is to make the wishes of deployed troops a reality.
Project Valour-IT A project of Soldiers' Angels and favorite of the blogosphere, Project Valour-IT provides voice-controlled software and laptop computers to troops recovering from hand and arm injuries.
Sew Much Comfort Sew Much Comfort provides free adaptive clothing to support the needs of injured soldiers. Employing a small army of seamstresses, SMC tailors clothing items to personally fit each injured soldier's special needs.
Soldiers' Angels A favorite of milbloggers, Soldiers' Angels is one of America's most influential military charities. SA provides a series of creative troop support projects that are making a difference, to include Project Valour-IT, Hero Packs, Blankets of Hope, Soldiers' Kids, Booties & Mittens, and Guardian Angels for Soldiers' Pets.
Wounded Warrior Project The WWP boasts over 55 years combined experience in providing direct service to active duty service members and disabled veterans, including benefits counseling, representation before the department of veterans affairs, bringing public attention to the needs of wounded service members, and advocating for regulatory and statutory changes beneficial to veterans and active duty service members.
USO For over 65 years the USO has served the morale and recreational needs of deployed troops. The USO currently operates more than 120 centers worldwide, including seven mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas, and is most famous for bringing celebrity entertainment to foward areas. The USO is a non-profit, and runs exclusively off of donations provided by its supporters.
