Sometimes those of us who are non-military need to know how to help

[VegasGrace]

Wow, great post!

I teach citizenship classes from time to time and the thing I always drive home is service starts with the individual. Help yourself (education/cleanliness,etc), then your family, neighborhood, church, school, and it just branches out from there.

Have a vet or disabled vet on your street? Then that's where you can provide service.

[OneDayAttaTime]

Originally Posted by VegasGrace

Wow, great post!

I teach citizenship classes ....and the thing I always drive home is service starts with the individual.....Have a vet or disabled vet on your street? Then that's where you can provide service.

Beautiful!!!

[Redraven]

One of the greatest ways to help veterans and military retirees is to write your Senators and Representatives and tell them to make VERY SURE that the promised benefits are not eroded anymore than they have been, and possibily to even re-establish some of the benefits that have gone away.
Yes, some of these benefits are costly, but they are PROMISES that were made, to be given in return for service. The Government should NEVER renege on a promise!

[piperspal]

Great thread...great posts! All suggestions will come in very handy!

[sskkc]

When we were active duty, my problems were not finding organizations to help out financially (not after 2000 anyway), but finding someone to help with things when dh was deployed or doing work ups (which was WORSE than deployments).

For instance, when my ds was 2 1/2 he was VERY active. If I turned my back for a MINUTE that boy would be into something (I could write a book). My dh was in and out, doing work ups for a 6 month deployment for 9 months. During that time, I was also pregnant with #2. Not knowing anyone made it VERY difficult for me to find an occasional babysitter so I could go to doctor's appts and I could never find anyone to mow the lawn. I put up flyers EVERYWHERE, asked at the USO, FFSC and our joke of a Family Support Group. No one knew anyone who could help without putting my son in full time daycare. It took 5 months to find a babysitter for the dr appts. I never did find anyone for the lawn (Dh or I would end up mowing it in the dark about once every 3 weeks when he came home - we got LOTS of warning notices from base housing, but at the time -late 2001/early 2002- they weren't allowing outside landscaping). Luckily, a new neighbor moved in just weeks before dh left for the 6 month deployment who was on a different deployment schedule and they made a deal to switch off household chores and help each other's wives out.

So I guess what I'm saying is that instead of sending a check out, maybe stop by and offer your services, or those of a teenager... it was maddening... I had plenty of $$, but I couldn't HIRE someone to mow our lawn... and I was offering $40 for that and $20/hr to babysit!

[99°]

What an awesome thread! Great idea OP. Thank you.

[mainegirl]

I cannot tell you how many care packages, letters and cards I have sent to deployed troops. Some of them don't have anyone back home that is able to afford to send them things, so I am happy to do it. I know if it were me out there, I would certainly appreciate it.

[mommy2_3_boys]

Originally Posted by sskkc

When we were active duty, my problems were not finding organizations to help out financially (not after 2000 anyway), but finding someone to help with things when dh was deployed or doing work ups (which was WORSE than deployments).

For instance, when my ds was 2 1/2 he was VERY active. If I turned my back for a MINUTE that boy would be into something (I could write a book). My dh was in and out, doing work ups for a 6 month deployment for 9 months. During that time, I was also pregnant with #2. Not knowing anyone made it VERY difficult for me to find an occasional babysitter so I could go to doctor's appts and I could never find anyone to mow the lawn. I put up flyers EVERYWHERE, asked at the USO, FFSC and our joke of a Family Support Group. No one knew anyone who could help without putting my son in full time daycare. It took 5 months to find a babysitter for the dr appts. I never did find anyone for the lawn (Dh or I would end up mowing it in the dark about once every 3 weeks when he came home - we got LOTS of warning notices from base housing, but at the time -late 2001/early 2002- they weren't allowing outside landscaping). Luckily, a new neighbor moved in just weeks before dh left for the 6 month deployment who was on a different deployment schedule and they made a deal to switch off household chores and help each other's wives out.

So I guess what I'm saying is that instead of sending a check out, maybe stop by and offer your services, or those of a teenager... it was maddening... I had plenty of $$, but I couldn't HIRE someone to mow our lawn... and I was offering $40 for that and $20/hr to babysit!

I couldn't agree more!! My DH is gone for 2 1/2 months right now for school, then when he gets back he starts work-ups. We have a 3 1/2 yr old and a 1 1/2 yr old and my 3 yr DS is just like the one mentioned above... he gets into EVERYTHING!! I dont' know how I'm gonna mow the lawn while he's gone since I hate doing it while the kids are asleep, but if that's what I have to do, I have to do it!

Great thread!!

[KimHCreations]

I can understand how lonely and isolated families of troops must feel. I come from a family where almost everyone served in the military at some time. Even after discharge or retiring, they all stayed near a military base; particular Ft. Sill [Oklahoma] army base. I grew up [just minutes from Ft. Sill] and still have family there. We are fortunate thus far that no one has been to Iraq or Afghanistan, though we know it could happen at any time. Even then, we can not begin to imagine what they must going through. I think many times people assume the military provides everything, but as we can all see that’s not the case. Something else that no one thinks about is the impact of the city or community with a huge military presence, and it’s even worse in a smaller, rural town. There’s a certain emptiness or uneaseness that you can sense, and you do not know how to deal with it.

On the other hand, there are those of us who lack the financial means to help and look for ways to help within our means; which is where I, my husband and daughter find ourselves. Because we want to get involved or help but are struggling financially, and find ourselves in a situation that we can’t even provide a physical presence. So, my daughter suggested we should offer our help through our talents and/ or business endeavors. My husband is an artist and greeting card designer, and he’s created several pieces of art that pays tribute to our troops, and we really want to share them with our troops and their loved ones. We would love for anyone sending card packages and letters to our troops to use our cards to do that.

Written Art Creations

Our cards cost $1.00 a piece or in a pack of ten, and be mixed & match. You can’t find greeting cards at this price, unless you are getting them at the dollar store. But, that’s where our cards differ because these are not mass produced and no two are a like. So many of us are struggling financially right now and it’s understandable that fewer people can afford to send card packages or letters and card, which is why we are offering these cards at this price. Our troops deserve better, and we want to help make that happen. I should also mention that for anyone making a purchase, that we will donate a portion of the proceeds to some of the places mentioned here that are based in Oklahoma. We fully believe that no matter a person’s situation, they should always strive to help other people because that goodness will be returned, whether it is now or in heaven. So, if anyone would like to help us to help our troops and their loved ones, we would love to help you in return. Even if someone could point us in the right direction or give us any idea what to do/where to go, it would be very much appreciated. Thank you and God Bless You. Info@hdwrittenartcreations.com