Showing Troops America Cares - Soldiers' Angels Send Holiday Care Packages

/PRNewswire/ -- American military personnel stationed in the war zones will soon receive Holiday care packages from nonprofit Soldiers' Angels. This holiday season, Soldiers' Angels aims to ship 140,000 Wrapped in Holiday Spirit gifts to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and is calling on all Americans to join the final push to that goal.

Each Wrapped in Holiday Spirit care package includes a handmade "Blanket of Belief," snacks, socks, holiday cards and other treats with a personal note of thanks and support. Troops in the most remote regions of Afghanistan will also receive beautiful stainless steel coffee mugs. The "Blankets of Belief" forming the heart of the care package tell America's service men and women, "We believe in you." When they receive a Blanket of Belief, service members know that somebody back home remembers them, that somebody labored over a handmade item with love and belief in them.

Founder Patti Patton-Bader describes how important it is for the troops to know America believes in them and supports them, especially during this time. "Holidays away from home are very tough on our deployed troops," she says. "Please help us show them America cares--be there for a hero this holiday season."

Soldiers' Angels is soliciting donations, as well as offering a 15% discount at www.AngelsStore.org on Wrapped in Holiday Spirit care packages that allow patriotic Americans to order a package for a specific soldier or have their gifts sent to "Any Soldier" with a personal note of gratitude and support.

Donations for the Wrapped in Holiday Spirit project can be made online at http://soldiersangels.org/holidays-for-heroes.html, or sent to Soldiers' Angels, 1792 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104.

Care packages at www.AngelsStore.org are offered as a convenience for those who support America's troops, giving them an easy way to send a personal message with a gift especially designed to meet the needs and interests of deployed service members. The cost includes shipping, and any payment above the base cost of the contents helps to fund the many military support projects of volunteer-led non-profit Soldiers' Angels.

SOLDIERS' ANGELS is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) non-profit providing aid and comfort to U.S. military personnel and families. Over 200,000 volunteers also provide assistance to the wounded, support for veterans, comfort for families of the fallen, and immediate response to unique difficulties. www.SoldiersAngels.org, TAX ID #20-0583415.

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How You Can Support Our Troops

(StatePoint) With hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops continuing to be stationed everywhere from Iraq and Afghanistan to Germany and Japan, American citizens at home are continuing to mobilize to show their support of our men and women overseas.

Individuals and businesses are doing everything from organizing donation drives and sending care packages to actually getting involved in developing medicines for soldiers on the front lines or working to find homes for disabled troops when they return.

Some of the more popular things you can do to help include donating computers, frequent flier miles, DVDs and phone cards, or sending care packages and letters to the front lines.

To help people learn how to get involved with donation drives and troop outreach programs, the U.S. Department of Defense has set up a Web site, listing such initiatives by type. Visit www.ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml to peruse the ways you can help.

Many are choosing to not only get involved themselves, but to organize their co-workers to help out. This can increase the effectiveness of a donation drive, as many employers are choosing to match donations or simply to donate resources like computer and phone time or stamps to help expand a donation drive.

Some small businesses are taking the patriotic call a step further by creating much-needed products for the troops. One such company, PolyMedix, Inc., a biotechnology company that develops drugs for infectious diseases and cardiovascular disorders, has turned its attention on helping the armed services by creating drugs and other treatments that soldiers can use against anthrax and other biowarfare pathogens.

And the company's work is being recognized by the U.S. Government, which has awarded it several grants and research contracts through the Defense Threat Reduction agency, the Office of Naval Research, and U.S. Army Research Office to help PolyMedix develop new drugs for the troops.

"We sincerely appreciate the support of the U. S. Army Research Office and its recognition of the significance of our work," said Nicholas Landekic, President and CEO of PolyMedix. "We are making good progress towards developing new types of antibiotic drugs which may be useful against infections caused by biowarfare pathogens and other serious infectious agents. We have received eleven grants and research contracts from different organizations, including DTRA, the Navy, and the Army, which all are going to support work that we would otherwise not be able to pursue."

So, when looking for ways to help out, consider things you can do at home and at your job with the participation of your employer.

Of course, most citizens don't have the resources to develop medicines or ship lots of goods overseas. But there are many ways individuals and families can help out.

If you are getting involved in any initiative to help the troops, consider asking friends and family for assistance and for participation from your employer, your child's school and even local community and religious organizations.


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SouthernLINC Wireless Gives a Little 'Home' this Holiday Season to Soldiers Stationed Overseas

/PRNewswire/ -- For the second consecutive year, SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE:SO) , is supporting our deployed American troops through Any Soldier Inc., a non-profit organization that helps boost morale among deployed men and women of the U.S. armed forces via letters and packages from "home."

Through Nov. 20, multiple SouthernLINC Wireless locations will serve as collection points for cards, letters and care package items, which will be sent directly to soldiers deployed from military bases in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.

Employees, customers and community members are encouraged to show support in a personal way that suits them and their budgets. Especially during the upcoming holiday season, cards and letters mean the most to our deployed military personnel, yet cost very little and require only a small time investment.

"We are proud to once again support our dedicated servicemen and women with the help of the Any Soldier organization," said Bob Dawson, president and CEO of SouthernLINC Wireless. "Our troops sacrifice so much to protect us and our country. I hope our Southeastern neighbors will take this opportunity to write a note or donate a few, inexpensive comforts from 'home' to show our soldiers how much they are appreciated."

Cards, letters and care package items should be dropped off during business hours at multiple SouthernLINC Wireless locations in Alabama and Georgia. For more information, including a complete list of collection locations, guidelines and suggested care package items, visit www.southernlinc.com/community.

Last year's holiday drive with Any Soldier® collected and mailed more than 1750 cards and letters and 210 care packages - weighing more than a ton - to more than 1350 U.S. servicemen and women.

Founded in 2003 by Marty and Sue Horn, Any Soldier grew through a strong network of family and friends.

"Our family started Any Soldier to give our son Brian and his unit from the 173rd Airborne Brigade a few comforts from home and boost spirits," said Marty Horn, a 20-year Army veteran and president of Any Soldier. "We are honored that SouthernLINC Wireless is holding a holiday collection drive again this year to support soldiers deployed overseas from bases in the Southeast."

As a nonprofit organization, Any Solider relies on donations to continue their efforts to improve the lives of U.S. military personnel who are stationed far away from family and friends. To support this organization and the work it does, please go to www.anysoldier.com/HelpDonate.cfm to learn how to make a tax-deductible donation.

Currently, Any Soldier is helping approximately 100,000 active duty and reservists in all U.S. military branches who are in harm's way. In its six year history, Any Soldier has served nearly 1.5 million members of the U.S. military.

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Jack Daniel’s/USO “Toast to the Troops” Event Honoring Troops and Their Families to Be Held at Bristol Race

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tennessee National Guard service members and their spouses, members of the NASCAR community, USO volunteers and Jack Daniel’s employees will assemble 10,000 USO care packages at Earhart Campground East adjacent to Bristol Motor Speedway as part of the Jack Daniel’s/USO “Toast to the Troops” program.

The event will be held prior to the Sharpie 500 race at Bristol on Aug. 22, and is the 11th stuffing party since Toast to the Troops was launched in 2005. Through Toast to the Troops, Jack Daniel’s collects personal messages of support, or “toasts,” to include in USO care packages.

Following the care package stuffing party, ten-year Army veteran and country music star Craig Morgan will perform a free concert for all volunteers and fans attending the race.

“Since this program began, we’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the great sacrifices that our friends serving in the military, as well as their spouses and families on the home front, make for our country,” said Tim Rutledge, Brand Director Americas for Jack Daniel’s.

Rutledge said this “Toast” event would be very special since a majority of the volunteers would be members and spouses of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard that is being redeployed to the Middle East later this year. “We’re humbled and honored that these heroes will be joining us in Bristol, and we look forward to spending a wonderful day with them and recognizing their many contributions to our country,” he added.

“It is a privilege to be a part of such a worthy event,” said Lt. Colonel James Blevins, Squadron Commander of the 278th. “Our soldiers and families are looking forward to participating in ‘Toast to the Troops,’ knowing the care packages are being sent to our military brothers and sisters serving in harm’s way.”

Citizens can go to www.jackdaniels.com to fill out the special “toasts” that will be included in USO care packages for troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas locations, as well as troops arriving and departing on rest and recuperation (R&R) flights. The care packages, sponsored for $25 each, include approximately $75 worth of items requested by service members, such as prepaid international calling cards, toiletries, sunscreen, playing cards, disposable cameras and snacks.

“We thank Jack Daniel’s for their continued support,” said Elaine Rogers, administrator of the Operation USO Care Package program. “Since 2005, these events have been an excellent opportunity for local communities to demonstrate their support for our men and women in uniform and their families.”

Craig Morgan has been a part of every Jack Daniel’s/USO Toast to the Troops event and fulfilled a lifelong dream last September when he was invited to join the Grand Old Opry at a Toast event at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was stationed from 1990-1992. Morgan has entertained troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and is a recipient of the USO Merit Award, an honor shared by the late Bob Hope.

“It has been an honor and privilege for me to perform for our military service members and their families, and the Toast to the Troops program is one way of letting them know how much we love, respect and appreciate everything they do for us,” said Morgan. “Their sacrifices, both abroad and on the home front, cannot be measured, and we all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.”

BNA Records recording artist Morgan has made a name for himself with massive radio airplay of his signature hits. Morgan’s current album That’s Why features the hit single “Love Remembers” and his current single, “Bonfire.” The new releases follow his Top 10 hit and fan-favorite, “International Harvester.” Other Top 10 hits include “Little Bit of Life,” “Tough,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday” – which spent five weeks at No. 1 and was Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of the Year in 2005.

Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, will be on hand to take part in the program. Childress owns and operates Richard Childress Racing and fields four Chevrolets in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, including the No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Impala SS driven by Casey Mears.

“It’s an honor for RCR to be involved in the ‘Toast to the Troops’ program with Jack Daniel’s and the USO,” said Childress. “I’ve seen first-hand the efforts of the National Guard and other branches of the military in Iraq and I couldn’t be more proud to be an American knowing that those brave men and women are protecting us. The folks at Jack Daniel’s show their patriotism in so many ways and teaming up with the USO for the ‘Toast to the Troops’ program is the continuation of that great tradition.”

Due to heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages addressed to “Any Service Member.” The Operation USO Care Package program is the best way to send a message of encouragement directly to a service member and provide a touch of home. The USO has distributed more than 1.5 million care packages since the program’s inception in 2003. More information on the Operation USO Care Package program and other USO programs can be found at www.uso.org.

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Soldiers' Angels and Spirit of America Cooperate to Support the Troops

/PRNewswire/ -- The need to encourage and support America's fighting men and women around the world remains strong, and nonprofits Spirit of America and Soldiers' Angels are sharing their contacts and working together to ensure every service member has support to complete the mission and return home safe.

Soldiers' Angels (SA) "adopts" deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, while Spirit of America (SoA) provides those same service members with directly-requested materials for locals in need. In a spirit of cooperation, SoA lets their deployed contacts know homefront support is available for soldiers and their families through SA, while SoA flyers in Angel care packages tell service members where to get assistance for their local outreach activities. The two organizations are also prominently linked on each others' websites.

Together, Soldiers' Angels and Spirit of America provide comfort items and necessities, love from home, and material assistance for America's military personnel in their role as ambassadors to the local population. Material support for people caught in a war zone helps "win hearts and minds," encouraging locals to provide intelligence and reduce conflict. Meeting locals' needs also helps them resist insurgents who bribe or threaten them into terrorist activities.

"Soldiers' Angels is an outstanding organization with a total commitment to supporting America's soldiers. We are proud to be working with them," said Jim Hake, founder and chairman of Spirit of America. "This cooperation and putting our troops first is exactly what's needed to make sure they are successful and safe."

Soldiers' Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader expresses similar sentiments. "Spirit of America is amazing. Their ability to provide exactly what units request to build relationships and improve communities in the warzones helps make our troops safer and more effective. They are a perfect complement to our efforts in bringing home healthy heroes."

As Internet-based entities, Soldiers' Angels and Spirit of America recognize the importance of social networking and word-of-mouth in meeting their missions. The cooperative spirit they demonstrate has been a significant factor in placing them among the largest and most effective of the newer military-related nonprofits that developed after 9-11.

By helping meet troops' emotional and physical needs and making their jobs easier, Spirit of America and Soldiers' Angels help bring home healthy and successful warfighters. From shipping 500 pairs of boot socks for tired Infantrymen's feet to sending 5,000 toothbrushes to a Marine unit teaching Afghani villagers dental hygiene, SA and SoA's complementary missions remind the troops that America has their back.

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