Field Problem: Troops Support the Troops

Dear, Field Problems:

I am hoping that someone in your organization can help me. My son is part of a Boy Scout pack in San Jose, California. Our next pack meeting is going to be centered on learning about America, patriotism, and supporting the service members who fight for our freedoms. We wanted to do something to help out some of the active duty troops. I looked at some websites, but they are kind of confusing. I can’t find the information that I need. Basically, we want the boys to write letters to the troops and bring donations for care packages that we will send to active duty troops. I was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction.  Any guidance you can provide would be so very appreciated.

Arlen, Boy Scout pack parent, non-military

Dear, Arwen:

Thanks for writing. We’re so proud of you and grateful that you want to learn more about patriotism and support our troops as a pack effort. Below are a few choices that will get you going with exactly what you requested: item suggestions, instructions, and addresses to the organizations accepting and distributing donations.

• Soldiers’ Angels: You can work towards adopting one soldier, or you can collect items for care packages and send them to Soldiers’ Angels in Pasadena, CA, for distribution to bases overseas.
• Operation Homefront: You can contact a representative at Operation Homefront and they’ll give you insight into what they need in regards to “in-kind” donations like gift cards, books, and other non-monetary items.
• Blue Star Families: Many times a letter is helpful too. Operation Appreciation is a program started by Blue Star Families. They accept letters written to service members, military children, and military spouses. They have a downloadable information packet that you will find very helpful if you decide to do a letter campaign with your care package drive.

These are three great organizations that are used to dealing with groups and large donations. Thanks for trusting us as a resource. We bet other groups have similar issues with knowing how to organize such a project, and we’d love them to be able to read and relate to how your troop completed the mission of “Supporting our Troops.” Please share pictures and let us hear more about your results.