With the current war effort, it seems that war is becoming part of our everyday lives. There are constantly pictures of the war on television, articles in the newspapers and radio updates on the hour. When seeing the courageous men and women fighting for our country, it is easy to feel the need to be involved or help out. Listed below are some options and suggestions of things that you can do to show your support of our troops. • Kimball Chamber of Commerce is selling “Support our troops” signs at local businesses. The signs will sell for $1.50 each and all money raised will be used for the troops. The Chamber discussed using this money to purchase phone cards that would be sent to the troops. • Minnesota’s First Lady, Mary Pawlenty recently launched a campaign entitled “Family Care.” The program asks Minnesotans to help serve military families. Some suggestions provided were helping out with yard work, washing cars, sitting for homes, children and/or pets, hosting wedding or baby showers, helping out with farm chores, cleaning gutters or washing windows. • Post offices are currently reporting that many people are sending support letters generically addressed “to a soldier,” or “military personnel.” Since so many of these letters are being sent, the post office is not accepting any more. As an alternative, you can send email greetings to soldiers through the Operation Dear Abby Web site at anyservicemember.navy.mil. Simply click on the send an email button and type your message. • Gift certificates can be sent to troops by calling toll-free (877) 770-4438. These certificates can be purchased for $10 or $20. These certificates are preferred to care packages as soldiers can buy what they need at military posts. • To remind you of the work that is being done by the troops, and in recognition of POWs, “MN Won’t Forget” bracelets can be purchased for $7. To order a bracelet, send a check to P.O.Box 11782; St. Paul, MN 55111-1782 or call (651) 653-3360. • On the Web site, www. uso.org, you can sign up to email troops, or donate a long distance phone card. These are greatly needed by the troops and their loved ones back home. • Veterans of the Vietnam war invite Americans to donate items for care packages. Needed items include writing tablets, pens, letters of support, paperback books, magazines, crossword books, candy that won’t melt, gum, soap, shampoo and personal care items. These donations can be sent to Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc.; 805 South Township Blvd; Pittston, PA 18640. The Vets will organize the material and send it to soldiers in need. • Monetary donations are being accepted by the Army Emergency Relief Organization. For more information, check out their Web site at www.aerhq.org. Hopefully, these options will give you a few ideas on how to give back to the brave men and women serving our country. These services help show the troops that we are behind them. Together, we can put the United in United States.
