Help support the men and women who respond with courage and selflessness to whatever our leaders ask of them. Here are five ways to make a difference in the lives of our military personnel, our veterans, and their families.
1. Send Care Packages with Yellow Ribbon Support Group
Show your support for our active military personnel serving overseas by sending a care package. This non-profit organization, headquartered in Palatine, Illinois, helps coordinate the shipments.You could help by sending packages, giving a financial contribution, donating items on their wish list, getting your corporation involved, or by submitting the name of military personnel who could use the extra support.
2. Write a Letter to our Troops via Operation Dear Abby
You're already online, why not click over to Dear Abby's site and send a quick message to our service men and women to let them know you're thinking of them.You can leave your message anonymously or not, share what state you're from, and choose a branch of military service to send your message to. Then, service men and women can go online and read the messages from their home state. Or, their commanding officers in the field can download the messages for their troops who may not have Internet access.
It's an easy and simple way to show you care to your fellow citizens who might be in harm's way right now.
3. Support the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum
© Jennifer Roche
There is no other museum in the country, and perhaps the world, like the Chicago-based National Vietnam Veteran's Art Museum. While other institutions fill their halls with the artifacts of war, this one fills their building with the human experiences of war captured, examined, and expressed through art.
Although the museum was initially founded to display work from Vietnam veterans, the NVVAM's mission has expanded to include art work created from experiences in all the nation's conflict.
The museum is an act of exploration and healing for artists and visitors alike. Help support its mission by volunteering your time and skills. Plan a visit. Make a financial contribution. Bring a friend.
Although the museum was initially founded to display work from Vietnam veterans, the NVVAM's mission has expanded to include art work created from experiences in all the nation's conflict.
The museum is an act of exploration and healing for artists and visitors alike. Help support its mission by volunteering your time and skills. Plan a visit. Make a financial contribution. Bring a friend.
4. Support Your Local USO
The USO (United Service Organizations)is a civilian non-profit organization dedicated to providing support from the public to our active military personnel. The USO does not receive any funding from the government or armed forces. It relies solely on support from individuals and foundations.The USO operates four branches in the Chicago area:
Navy Pier
O'Hare Airport
Midway Airport
Near the Great Lakes Naval Station
Volunteers are needed to help keep these services open and available for military personnel. More information can be found at the link above, including how to make a financial contribution.