RESOURCES - Friends For Life

SUPPORT A CAUSE THAT SUPPORTS OUR SOLDIERS

Operation Homefront provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for the wounded warriors when they return home. Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit 501 (c) (3), for more information contact Amy Palmer, Chief Operating Officer, 8930 Fourwinds Dr. Ste. 340, San Antonio, Texas 78239, tel. 800.722.6098 www.OperationHomefront.net.
www.HomeFrontOnline.com

New Online Tool for Military Families

A new online resource for military families with teens and tweens is now available online for FREE. The Partnership, together with the National Military Family Association (NMFA) and National Association of School Nurses (NASN), have created new online tools to assist military families and teens through difficult periods of transition, such as a deployment, major injury of a parent, and frequent moves to new neighborhoods and schools. The effort is the first collaboration among the three organizations to provide assistance with the complex, extraordinary circumstances often faced by military families.
Visit this Time to Talk Website for more details!

Operation Gratitude is a California- based non-profit, volunteer organization that sends care packages of snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and on military ships at sea. For more information, contact Carolyn Blashek, Founder, tel.818.909.0039, 16444 Refugio Rd., Encino, CA 91436, opgrat@gmail.com, www.operationgratitude.com.

Soldiers' Angels provides aid and comfort to members of the military and their families.
For more information, contact Ms. Patti Patton-Bader, President and Founder, tel. 626.529.5114, 1792 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104, click here to email , www.soldiersangels.org.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund has provided more than $65 million in support for the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans through projects like the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX specializing in amputee and severe burn patients and the new National Intrepid Center of Excellence for traumatic brain injury and psychological health at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. For more information, write One Intrepid Square, W 46th Street & 12th Avenue, New York , NY 10036, tel. 800.340.HERO, email info@FallenHeroesFund.org, www.FallenHeroesFund.org.
click here to access a FREE Handbook for injured service members and their families

Any Soldier Inc. helps you send your support to a Soldier in harm's way. Have no idea of what to send, who to send it to, or how to send it? Contact Marty Horn, SFC, USA MP, Retired and President of Any Soldier Inc., PO Box 29, Hoagland, IN 46745, www.AnySoldier.com (Also AnyMarine.com, AnySailor.com, AnyAirman.com and AnyCoastguardsman.com)

A Million Thanks Provides U.S. military men and women stationed at home and abroad with thank you letters to encourage their efforts. For more information, contact Shauna Fleming, tel. 714.925.1211, 17583 Santiago Blvd. 107-355 Villa Park, CA 92861, www.amillionthanks.org.

Give an Hour is a non organization that has created a national network of
mental health professionals who are providing free mental health services to
our returning troops and their families. For more information, contact Barbara V. Romberg, Ph.D. Founder & President, tel. 202.244.5944, PO Box 5918, Bethesda, MD 20824, www.giveanhour.org.

National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder promotes issues related to PTSD and maintains an extensive website www.NCPTSD.va.gov with many useful resources.

Packages from Home sends care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who are stationed in active duty theaters around the world, as well as to facilitate activities that elevate morale of all veterans. For more information, contact Ms. Jennifer Leavitt, PFH Adminstrator, tel. 602.253.0284, 1201 S. 7th Ave, Suite 50, Phoenix, AZ 85007, info@packagesfromhome.org, www.PackagesFromHome.org

Cell Phones for Soldiers, Inc.
Raises funds through the recycling of used cell phones collected at drop off sites throughout the USA, Cell Phones for Soldiers, Inc. to provide free prepaid calling cards to troops deployed around the world. For more information contact Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, click here to email, www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, Inc. provides financial assistance to surviving and severely disabled service members' children affected by OEF or OIF as well as college scholarships to the surviving spouses, children and disabled service members and their children affected by OEF or OIF. Contact Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 3968, Gaithersburg, MD 20885-3968, tel.301. 685.3421 or toll free 866. 96.CFSRF, www.cfsrf.org, www.ChildrenofFallenSoldiersReliefFund.org.

The Armed Forces Foundation provides a wide variety of assistance to our men and women in uniform, including financial, educational, and social services. Tel. 202.547.4713, write Armed Forces Foundation, 16 North Carolina Ave. SE Washington, DC 20003, www.ArmedForcesFoundation.org.

Email Our Military gives our troops the support they need and deserve. Join in to help keep the support, motivation, and encouragement going. Register now to being eMailing our Military. http://www.emailourmilitary.com

U.S. Department of Defense Blog for Military Famiies
"Family Matters"

USMC Wives Created by a Marine wife for the significant others of Marines, USMC Wives website provides a community for wives, fiancees and girlfriends of Marines can connect, share experiences, network and support one another.

IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America)Their website is designed as a resource to our nation’s newest Veterans. While addressing a range of topics, this site is ultimately a point of connection where Veterans are helping Veterans. IAVA was founded in 2004, and is the nation's first and largest group representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA is a non-profit and nonpartisan organization.

For more information write:
IAVA, 770 Broadway2nd floor, New York, NY 10003
visit www.CommunityofVeterans.org or http://iava.org/content/resource-oefoif-vets

The Emotional Phases of Deployment
A very comprehensive guide to the feelings you may experience while your loved one is deployed.
The Emotional Phases of Deployment

USA CARES - Provide military families with financial support and
other critical resources in their time of need.
www.USACares.org

The Eagle Cane Project provides 'presentation canes' to post-911 wounded Warriors who have leg disabilities from combat. The canes are works of art, personalized by woodcarvers in the same state as the recipients, and created with a majestic eagle head design.Eagle Cane Project founders Jack Nitz and Stan Townsend were inspired by ABC News coverage of post-911 disabled Veterans and decided their woodcarving hobby could show support to so many who have sacrificed so much.Visit the Eagle Cane Project online, http://www.eaglecane.com, or email (thehickoryhiker@gmail.com)

The Soldiers Project
The Soldiers Project provides free, unlimited, confidential mental health services to service members and their extended families who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information phone toll free, 877.576.5343, direct in California, 818.761.7438 info@TheSoldiersProject.org.

National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Promotes issues related to PTSD and maintains an extensive website www.NCPTSD.va.gov

USA National Suicide Hotlines
If you are in emotional distress, suicidal, or concerned about someone who might be, this lifeline is available to help. Operates toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. tel. 1.800.SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433), 1.800.273.TALK (1.800.273.8255), TTY: 1.800.799.4TTY (4889), www.SuicideHotlines.com

Angels of Mercy Program supports our wounded military and their families. For more information, contact Jay Edwards and Marian Chirichella, Founders, Angels of Mercy Program, tel. 703.938.8930, c/o American Legion Auxiliary Unit 270, PO Box 3310, McLean, VA 22101, email oifoefangels@aol.com www.SupportOurWounded.org

Comfort for America's Uniformed Services (C.A.U.S.E.) organizes recreation and entertainment programs for wounded warriors recuperating at military medical facilities from injuries received in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information, contact Barbara Lau, Executive Director tel. 703.750.6458, 6315 Bren Mar Drive, Suite 175, Alexandria, VA 22312, email info@CAUSE-USA.org, www.CAUSE-USA.org.

The American Soldier Foundation
The American Soldier Foundation assists soldiers on extended active duty and their dependents, and the dependents of those lost in the line of duty. The Foundation can provide grants or interest-free loans for food, rent, utilities, funeral expenses, counseling, medical expenses, and other basic needs. For more information, write American Soldier Foundation, 18 Wood Place, Manhasset, New York 11030 contact@SoldierFoundation.org, www.SoldierFoundation.org.

Fisher House Foundation, Inc.
Fisher Houses are located on the grounds of all of the major military medical centers and many VA medical centers, providing a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care. For more information, write 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, Maryland 20850, tel. 888.294.8560, www.FisherHouse.org.

Miltiary Housing Assistance Fund
MHAF works to help military families realize the American dream they are defending by providing a grant to help pay the closing costs associated with the purchase of their home and this grant is a free gift that they never have to repay. For more information, tel. 720.932.8049, 1400 16th Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202 www.MilitaryHousingAssistanceFund.com.

Hire America’s Heroes
Engages interested corporations in activities designed to educate, promote, and facilitate recognized best-practice processes and success strategies for sourcing, recruiting, hiring, on-boarding, supporting, and retaining America’s military service members and veterans. Individual service members may access information regarding job opportunities, a network to help service members find great civilian careers, and enhanced corporate understanding of the value veterans bring to the corporate workplace through their website, www.HireAmericasHeroes.org. For more information, tel. 425.301.5445, write PO Box 407, Redmond, WA 98073-0407, email info@HireAmericasHeroes.org

Clint Gertson Memorial/Scholarship Freedom Fund
Mail donations to Clint Gertson Memorial, C/O First National Bank of Eagle Lake, P. O. Box 247, Eagle Lake, TX. 77434.

American Military Family
Honors and supports all members of the United States Military and their families, who together serve and sacrifice so much for all of us as they protect and defend our freedom. Request aid, apply for a grant, or make a donation to AMF Programs (AMF Wounded Warriors, AMF Adopt a Soldier/Adopt a Unit; AMF Gold Star Program and AMF Aid). For more information, contact Debbie Quackenbush, Founder, tel. 303.746.8195, P. O. Box 625, Niwot, Colorado 80544, www.AMF100.org.

Association of the United States Army
AUSA is a private, non-profit educational organization that supports America's Army including Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves, Civilians, Retirees and family members. Through our more than 120 chapters worldwide, AUSA offers a variety of services and programs in support of soldiers and their families. For more information, write 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201, tel. 800.335.4570, or visit the website, www.AUSA.org. Select ‘chapter activities’ on the home page, then select your state for chapter locations and contacts.

Adopt-a-Platoon Soldier Support Effort
The Adopt-a-Platoon Soldier Support Effort is a nonprofit organization dedicated to United States deployed Service Members to provide a better deployment quality of life, lift morale, and assist military families. For more information, contact Ida Hägg, tel. 956.748.4145, P.O. Box 234, Lozano, Texas 78568, email info@AdoptAPlatoon.org, www.AdoptAPlatoon.org.

Operation Care Package, Inc.
Works to ensure no hero is forgotten through care packages, supplies, phone cards and letters of support to our deployed and wounded soldiers, and Veterans. For more information, contact Debbie Smothers, tel.815.693.3215, 611 Wilcox St. Joliet, IL. , email proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.netwww.operationcarepackages.org

Operation Military Support
Send packages overseas weekly to including personal hygiene items, snacks, and entertainment. For more information, contact by phone, tel. 209.763.2766, or write P.O. Box 901, San Andreas, CA 95249, email oms@operationmilitarysupport.com, www.OperationMilitarySupport.com.

Packages from Home
The mission of Packages from Home is to send care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who are stationed in active duty theaters around the world, as well as to facilitate activities that elevate morale of all veterans. For more information, contact Ms. Kathleen Lewis, Founder, tel. 602.254.2818, 1201 S. 7th Ave, Suite 50, Phoenix, AZ 85007, info@packagesfromhome.org, www.PackagesFromHome.org

The Kitchen Table Gang Trust
Veterans helping other veterans and our troops overseas. For more information contact Charles Taliaferro, Director, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93636-8866, www.kitchentablegang.org

Operation We Care
We send care packages to the troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Our monthly packages include personal items, snacks and letters. For more information, contact Brenda Ogden, President, tel. 985.892.9700, 67029 Locke St., Mandeville, LA 70471, www.operationwecare.com.

Give2TheTroops, Inc.®,
Supports America's armed forces in combat zones around the world through the letters and packages prepared and shipped by caring volunteers.™ A non-profit organization, donations to are tax deductible. Founded in December of 2002, by a U.S. Marine wife, the organization has grown to branches in several states. Since 2002, G2TT has sent more than 76,000 large boxes (averaging 65 lbs. each) to approximately one million American military troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and other combat zones. For more information, contact Andi Grant, President and Founder, tel. 888.876.6775, 196 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, click here to email, www.give2thetroops.org

Marine Parents, Inc.
MarineParents.com provides support, information and services for Marines and their families, and encourages troop support through community awareness programs. For more information tel. 573.303.5500, press 411 for a complete directory of services, support and outreach programs, write PO Box 1115, Columbia, MO 65205 www.marineparents.com.

Stars for Stripes, Inc.
A non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality celebrity entertainment to internationally deployed U.S. military forces. For more information, contact Judy Seale, Stars for Stripes, Inc., tel. 615.872.2122, 109 Rivers Edge Court, Nashville, TN 37214, click here to email www.starsforstripes.com

USA Together

At USA Together, our mission is to use the power of the Internet to help the men and women of the US military who have suffered life-altering injuries in service to their country. By publishing specific needs for goods, financial assistance and services, we hope to connect injured service members and their families with those who are willing and able to assist them. http://www.usatogether.org

Honor a fallen Warrior and their family. Visit They Have Names to see the honored Hero of the week and learn more about their special mission to remember the fallen.

The Freedom Fund

The Freedom Fund
P.O.Box 3337, Burlington, VT 05408
www.thefreedomfund.org.