What are some good Christmas programs I can participate in for US soldiers?
826068
www.adoptaplatoon.org  is a great one that provided great assistance since I have been here.
940998
There is a fabulous website you must visit.\n\nwww.anysoldier.com\n\nIt will give you addresses of soldiers and tips for sending packages. If you have an address already, then just make sure you purchase insurance.\n\nThanks for your support of our brave men and women.
638230
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/letters_messages.html\nthis place list all of them. There are just so many out there this page list them all and is a .mil so these are the ones the DOD knows about.\nI've got a few packages from the various groups and meets some great people.
858015
Walk dogs. Help people Christmas shop.  Wrap gifts. Help put up Christmas lights.  There are a lot of opportunities to make extra money around the holidays.\n\nHere is a suggestion: can you bake? Can you make fudge? For people who are not close relatives, giving baked goods like cookies and pies are always welcome.  if you can make fudge, offer to sell your fudge on EBay, with just a little investment in decorative boxes or tins to put them in.\n\nI make good money myself, but I still bake pecan pies around Christmas for a lot of friends, some of whom are wealthy but appreciate my delicious pecan pie every year.\n\nIf you have some sort of specialty such as baking or whatever, use that skill to your advantage! \n\nYou seem to have a good heart; God bless you and have a Merry Christmas!
967302
Good for you. \nThe Army's website has a lot of great ideas and good links, check out:\nhttp://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/\nhttp://www.lettersfromhomeprogram.org/\nhttp://www4.army.mil/outreach/support/\n\nThey have letter writing, e-mail writing, and gift giving programs.
703136
If you don't have any friends or family nearby then you can go to the local rescue mission, churches, homeless shelter etc. that will be serving Christmas dinner. Volunteer work is a wonderful thing because you are give yourself without expecting anything in return
751615
Christmas isn't always about giving pressies - how about thinking of something you could do together.  Concert, or any other hobby that you may have.
856467
Go to this website.  You can apply there for toys.  This is the link to the home page, click on "Request Toys" and they can help you out.  http://www.toysfortots.org.\nYou can also contact churches in your local area.  You'll have toys for your kids this Christmas.  People are good at heart, and want to help.  Good luck, Sweety.
809769
This used to make my day even when wounded it was the highlight!  Thanks for asking.  \n\nThe United States armed forces cannot recieve cards to "any serviceman" this year due to fears of terrorism.  Instead, the Pentagon has set up a secure email system that allows anyone to send a message to "any serviceman." Just pick the branch of the service, type your message and click send.\n\nThe story behind the "to any serviceman" cards:\nSince 1967, when Sgt. Billy Thompson wrote Abigail Van Buren and mentioned that a wonderful Christmas present to our armed forces would be "just a letter from home," American citizens have been sending holiday wishes to servicemen and women stationed overseas every holiday season. Dubbed "Operation Dear Abby," the program has brought holiday joy to hundreds of thousands of U.S. military personnel deployed away from home.\n\nTo access the site, visit http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/\nMilitary Exchange Prepaid Calling Cards\nThe Department of Defense Military Exchanges have been authorized to sell the following prepaid calling cards to individuals and organizations who wish to purchase these cards for our troops serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.\nhttps://thor.milexch.com/scs/default.aspx\n\n12 Ways to Support Our Troops\nBy Lance Helgeson\nhttp://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourlife/Articles/a2004-12-07-12support.html\n\nYou can adopt a specific or random service person for a prayer circle.\n\nhttp://www.presidentialprayerteam.net/troopsadopt.php  \n\nYou can write to a service person.\n\nhttp://anyservicemember.navy.mil\nThere are dozen of organizations, which allow you to purchase items and present it to a service person, but there are other options you might consider.  Visit the closest VA Hospital or for something really unique try: \nwww.snipersonline.org (They ask for contributions to buy items that the Government refuses or that is out of stock.\n\n\nGod Bless You and The Southern People.
896822
My son has been in Iraq twice now and i know how tough it can be on the home front. God bless you and your family, and Thank You for all that you are sacrificing for us. \nBeings it is after the 13th of Nov. {the date we are supposed to get things mailed for Christmas } it might take longer than the expected week and a half. You might be better off sending packaged goodies, the commercial preservatives are better than what we can use at home. Here are some things i have mailed and had good results with...Oatmeal, or chocolate chip cookies do really well in the mail if you put them inside of a pringles can. Those "disposable" tupperware bowls are inexpensive and work to keep things airtight and fresh too. Divinity, and homemade fudge keep very well if airtight, so will rice krispie treats. Put layers of waxed paper in between, or individually wrap each piece. Carmel corn is always a winner too, and can be sent in a ziplock baggie. Make sure that the box you send everything is packed tight so things don't end up breaking to pieces in the mail, i use dry popcorn, or new socks to fill the spaces. Hope that this is helpful for you.
619122
Go down to your local VFW. They will have addresses for care packages. Plus i am sure that they will have alot of school related things for you. The VFW offers alot of programs for the community to get involved with supporting the troops.\n\nIf you are having a hard time finding them shoot me an email and i can hook you up with a local post.
762361
Share some love with someone less fortunate. Visit an old people's home and help brighten their Christmas. \n\nParty.\n\nEat heaps of prawns.\n\nTo name a few things.
417298
If in Alabama, try Disabled Veterans of America/Alabama(?).\nThey give away small household items (ex. kitchen shears) for donations.
974566
go to volunteer match or look up local shelters and do community service together.\n\nswap names for christmas gifts.\n\nshare your favorite and funniest thanksgiving memory.\n\nstart and "Thankfulness Tree" where you write what you are thankful for on a small circle cut out of paper (and each family member can share) and hang them on a small tree or plant. THEN keep it up with your kids and either every night at dinner make another circle paper/ornament and write what you are thankful for. Each week at dinner review the week's thanks!\n\nThis is kind of like pictionary combined with communication... pair people up with a partner. Then elect one to be the "drawer" and one to be the "teller". Show the "teller" a piece of paper of what they are supposed to DESCRIBE to the "drawer". They cannot look at the paper of the drawer. They cannot tell the person what they are drawing. They must sit back-to-back. Samples of things you can have them draw: a smiley face, a snowman, a present with bow on the top. \n(so like for a smiley face the "teller" could say: "draw two dots next to each other. Then underneath the two dots draw a "U". Now make a big circle around all of that.). You can just make up any picture for them to draw that you want. Again, the teller cannot look at the paper and say "No, move this..." or anything. \nYou can time it if you want and then compare pictures amongst teams afterwards!!! See who was closest! See whose was just waaaaaaaaay off!
975021
Excellent Idea! I will participate for the spirit of CHRISTMAS!
737301
There is an organization that accepts laptops only or cash donations to give to units in Iraq.  For further details, check out the source link.  Hope this helps with what you're looking for.
850457
You could try the Salvation Army.  Also many churches have funds to help with Christmas food and such.  There should also be information through your local children's services or Catholic Charities.\n\nGood luck!