• Support the troops.military image by T.Tulic from Fotolia.com
  
  The U.S. military protects our freedom with life and limb. Many of us want to show our appreciation by giving support to the soldiers serving at home and overseas and to their families. There are lots of organizations through which you can do just that. From snacks and letters, to medical care, counseling, job training and housing, the list of ways you can support the troops is long and varied.
  
  

USO

• The United Service Organizations (USO), formed in 1941 by President Roosevelt to support troops in World War II, is still going strong today. It's not part of the government, though the president serves as honorary chairman. The nonprofit organization was made famous by providing celebrity entertainment to troops overseas. The group continues this tradition, but has many other programs today. Operation Enduring Care provides services to help wounded veterans "move from the battlefield to a full and productive future." Operation Phone Home gives soldiers free phone cards, and Operation Mail Call likewise provides free greeting cards for soldiers to use and posts them free of charge. Several USO projects send or take USO centers and services to the most remote locations where soldiers are stationed.
  
  There are over 150 USO centers in the states and around the world, providing various services and amenities to soldiers and their families, such as Internet and telephone access, child care, libraries, snacks, overnight accommodations, language classes and more. Volunteer help is welcome. The website has an "Act Now" page detailing ways you can help support our troops through the USO's programs.
  
  United Service Organizations
  
  P.O. Box 96322
  
  Washington, D.C. 20090-6322
  
  USO.org
  
  

Military.com

• Military.com is a huge website dedicated to providing information, services, referrals and help to soldiers in every area of their lives. The Support Our Troops page has links to over 60 organizations that support military service members and their families in one way or another. The links are organized into categories: Cards, Letters, Gifts and Care Packages; Health Care, Hospitalization, Hospice and Recovery; Transition, Scholarships and Vocation Rehabilitation; Counseling, Community and Other Relief and Support; and America Supports You. Whatever you are able to do or donate, this list will guide you to the group to help you do it and to help you find whatever you might be in need of as a soldier or family member.
  
  Military.com
  
  

Support Our Troops

• The introductory information on Support Our Troops' website says it is meant to be "a nationwide platform for individuals, organizations, businesses and non-profits to bolster America's troops and their families in a multitude of ways." The group has a list of programs aimed at aiding and comforting military troops and their families. Their Care Goods program sends donated items, including those given by corporations, to deployed troops and has measures in place to assure good security and appropriateness of items for care packages. The Find-A-Group and Seal of Assurance programs help people find reliable organizations for donating money and volunteer time to support our military service members. The website features a widget that allows you to send a thank you note or video to soldiers, news stories about the troops and fundraising efforts, a community forum and lists of locally active groups around the country.
  
  Support Our Troops
  
  P.O. Box 70
  
  Daytona Beach, FL 32115-0070
  
  Supportourtroops.org
  
  

The Armed Services Blood Program

• This organization provides blood and blood products to military troops and their families around the world. They train military officers in becoming blood banking specialists. And they organize blood drives so that blood donors can donate blood needed to help injured soldiers, sick children and ailing family members. The website has a "Find a Blood Drive" search engine and an interactive calendar to help you schedule your next donation.
  
  The Armed Services Blood Program
  
  militaryblood.dod.mil