We thank them for their service now let's bless them with the same blessings we all have this cold & joyful months of Thanksgiving & Christmas. Here are some programs available to military families in need and how people can be a great blessing to our military family this holiday season.
Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays
Numerous organizations offer adopt-a-family programs. Military families who can show proof of need submit their wish lists to the organization and donors adopt the families by purchasing items from their wish lists for Christmas. Because of the popularity of adopt-a-family programs, you must fill out an application months before Christmas in order to get on the list. Pay attention to deadlines and get your application in as soon as the window opens because spaces fill up fast. http://soldiersangels.org/Adopt-A-Family.html or http://www.operationwearehere.com/AdoptMilitaryFamily.html
Full Circle Home
Full Circle Home gives deployed servicemen a chance to send a gift box to their wives back home. Gift boxes contain pampering items, such as lotions, bubble baths and spa socks. They also feature a handwritten note from the serviceman. http://www.fullcirclehome.org/#!request-a-gift-box
Military Installation Support
The family centers at military installations offer assistance in many forms during the holidays including programs such as Santa’s Shop in which donations are taken for military families in need. Contact the local installation for how you can help. For assistance, reach out to the Family Readiness Group, Chaplain or MWR.
MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) Office Locator – http://www.militaryonesource.mil/mwr
Military Installation Locator http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/MOS/f?p=MI:ENTRY:0
Operation Christmas Spirit
Operation Christmas Spirit supports local military families in the form of holiday gratitude by: “Adopting” over 100 families and fulfilling their Christmas wish lists with gifts for all family members and gift cards to do their own shopping; Sponsor gifts and crafts at unit holiday parties; “Adopt” single Marines and Sailors, giving them gifts and gifts cards to celebrate whether near or far from their families. http://www.operationhelpahero.com/Operation-Christmas-Spirit.php
Operation Ensuring Christmas
Operation Ensuring Christmas specifically supports the children of fallen troops. Through donations they purchase and send gift cards to the children throughout Christmas. Children/families can also apply for this program. http://opchristmas.org/
Operation Holiday Joy
Donate to Operation Holiday Joy. 100% of your donation goes to food and toys this holiday season and you can designate your donation to a specific program. http://www.asymca.org/programs/operation-holiday-joy/
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront offers many programs for military families throughout the year and Christmas is no exception. The organization partners with Dollar Tree to provide toys for
Christmas Programs for Military Families
http://www.operationhomefront.net/HolidayToys.aspx?id=21699
Red Cross
The Red Cross provides many military family services including but not limited to financial assistance and deployment services. http://www.redcross.org/find-help/military-families
Spirit of Sharing
The Adopt-A-Military Family program provides commissary cards, gifts, toys and much more to military families in need. How to help. How to get help. http://www.spiritofsharing.org/?page_id=1369
Soldiers’ Angels
Soldiers’ Angels sponsors Operation Outreach Holiday Support. Lower enlisted families can sign up to receive a $50-$100 gift card to help pay for a holiday meal and gifts for children ages 15 and under. Families must sign up for the program by December 15 and are matched with donors from around the United States. http://soldiersangels.org/op-outreach-christmas-request.html
Toys for Tots
The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The program is for all children, including military kids. Donate or request a toy. http://www.toysfortots.org/donate/Default.aspx
Thank Military Families
Thank Military Families sponsors an annual adopt-a-family program. Preference is given to families of deployed troops. Families are adopted by sponsors who send gifts or gift cards directly to them. Those who are not adopted may receive gift cards from the organization’s gift card donation program. http://www.thankmilitaryfamilies.com/
Trees for Troops
Every family needs a Christmas tree and Tree for Troops, sponsored by the Christmas Spirit Foundation, offers free Christmas trees for military families. Trees are available at 62 bases throughout the United States. http://www.christmasspiritfoundation.org/dnn/default.aspx#&panel1-2
Veterans Service Organizations
Many Veterans’ Service Organizations (American Legion, VFW, etc.) provide a wide variety of holiday support to service members, veterans, and their families. Program benefits often include meals, food , gift cards, and adopt-a-family, or adopt-a-veteran programs.
USO
Local USO offices provide a variety of holiday assistance programs including holiday dinners, events with Santa, toy and food drives and much. Contact a local USO office. https://www.uso.org/centers/united-states
Wreaths Across America
Donate to Wreaths Across America which coordinates wreath laying ceremonies on a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. They organize a week of events including international veteran’s tributes, ceremonies at State Houses and a week-long “Veteran’s Parade” between Maine and Virginia.http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/***
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