New Charities That Aid Service Members and Their Families: A Sampling

2002

Organizes events for service members and families, and donates clothing, toiletries, phone cards, and other items to wounded service members. Also plans to build a museum and education center about national tragedies, with an emphasis on the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

2003

Provides comfort and recreation items as well as entertainment for injured service members recuperating in government facilities.

2002

Sends letters and care packages to service members overseas.

2004

Builds and remodels homes for severely wounded service members.

2003

Sends a range of items to service members in Iraq, including air conditioners, heaters, combat boots, food, and clothing. Also matches soldiers overseas with stateside supporters who wish to send care packages and letters.

2003

Gives money to families of service members who have been killed or seriously disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also raises money for a memorial to service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and while fighting terrorism elsewhere since September 11, 2001.

2004

Gives clothing, toiletries, food, and other items to wounded service members in military hospitals and helps their families with financial assistance. Uses donated frequent-flier miles to help families visit injured relatives and arranges for transportation from Washington-area airports to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

2002

Through 32 chapters, provides emergency financial assistance to low-paid military service members and their families for household bills, car repairs, and other needs. Works with local businesses to get many services donated. Also sends care packages to troops overseas and helps military spouses find jobs when they move to a new area.

2002

Donates refurbished used computers to the family of a low-paid service member who is about to be deployed overseas to facilitate communication.

2003

Donates toiletries, clothing, blankets, and airplane tickets, among other items, to wounded soldiers in the U.S. and troops abroad. Works with local businesses to get services donated. Also matches service members overseas with stateside supporters who wish to send care packages and letters, and sends a tree to families of service members who were killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

2003

Provides emergency financial assistance to needy service members and their families. Works on a case-by- case basis to get donated services and ensure a family is aware of other available government and charity assistance.

2003

Donates toiletries, recreation items, and clothing to injured service members facing long recoveries and helps their families pay for food, lodging, and airfare for visits. Also offers sports and recreation activities, benefits counseling, and peer support for wounded soldiers.