"On the Homefront"
The USA Freedom Corps established a new resource for people seeking to
support our troops, their families, and their communities called "On the Homefront."
Background
While hundreds of thousands of men and women from all over America are
serving in the armed forces and away from their homes, those on the homefront can be making
a difference too. Many individuals and organizations are looking for ways to support our
troops, their families, and our country.
Partnering with the Department of Defense, the USA Freedom Corps is
offering resources to Americans who want to express their support for members of the
military, and help their families in meaningful ways. Here are some of the ways to support
our troops, give time and care to their families, and strengthen our communities.
These resources are available online at www.usafreedomcorps.gov
Support Our Troops
There is a long tradition of writing letters and sending care packages to
troops stationed away from home. To minimize delays and complications in getting this kind
of support to our troops; the Department of Defense recommends the following:
Through Operation Dear Abby, send e-mail messages to deployed troops of
any Service from your home state (http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/).
Through Operation USA Care Package, contribute to the purchase of a care
package of items requested by troops such as sunscreen, disposable cameras, prepaid calling
cards, and toiletries. (http://www.usocares.org/home.htm).
Help for Families
Families of reservists, National Guard men and women and active duty military
may need extra help in meeting basic home and family needs during deployment. There are many
ways individuals, organizations, and businesses can offer their time and resources to help
families of deployed troops. Here are some of the opportunities now available through the USA
Freedom Corps' new "On the Homefront" web resource:
The local chapters of the American Legion, American Red Cross, Boys &
Girls Clubs of America, BPO Elks of the USA, Camp Fire USA, National 4-H Headquarters, National
Fraternal Congress of America, The Salvation Army, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of
Foreign Wars, and YMCA of the USA are among leading community service organizations providing
ways for volunteers to help local military families.
Working with the National Guard and Reserve, as well as with military bases,
these organizations will match volunteers with families that need help in areas such as household
repairs, spring cleanings or tutoring and direct those families to businesses and organizations
that may be offering free or discounted services. Volunteers can also help families, including
those who own small businesses, with specialized skills like major repairs, financial planning
or legal services.
Some of these organizations are also helping to take care of children, after
school and on the weekends, whose families have a parent or caregiver stationed away from home.
Organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire USA, National 4-H Headquarters,
and YMCA of the USA are playing important roles in these efforts.
Individuals can also make a difference at home by reaching out to share
their time and compassion with veterans to say "thank you" for their service to our
country and by volunteering with a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital or other facility.
Service In Communities
Individuals who want to help strengthen their community and America can do
so through volunteer service. Some communities may need particular help to replace valued
volunteers who have been deployed. Local opportunities for volunteer service such as mentoring
a child, teaching someone to read, working in a local police department or serving at a local
food shelter can be found through the USA Freedom Corps web site at
www.usafreedomcorps.gov
or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS. President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White
House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility.
