Organizations that support deployed military personnel
Links for additional support organizations (airport greeters & welcome home signs, Bibles, devotionals & Bible studies, cards & letters, care packages, chaplain resources, coloring pages, humanitarian aid, military working dog & handlers, pet adoption & foster care and prayer support) are all listed above.
Scroll down to learn more about the following opportunities:
Books, magazines, DVDs, games, gaming
Boots
Cigars
Coffee and snacks
Phone communication, phone cards
Pillows
Soldier care items
Additional support
Books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, games, gaming
Books and magazines (and dvds, games) - Books for Soldiers
Once your application is approved, you will be able to send troops books, DVDs, games and relief supplies. You will also have access to our Pen Pal area and Post Card Jamboree. On average our volunteers fill over 1000 requests a month. Get started today and get your company, civic group or place of worship involved with supporting our troops.
Books and magazines - Books for Troops (Books a Million)
This unique program lets you select and purchase books for members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving overseas. You simply buy the books of your choice from the Books for Troops page. Booksamillion.com will address and send your books to the soldiers - and you pay no shipping charges on the books you buy for the troops!
We work in conjunction with U.S. military bases and National Guard offices to send the books to unit commanders overseas. The commanders then distribute the books to the individuals in their units. Please note that for security reasons we are not allowed to publish the addresses of the units that receive the books.
If you have a family member serving overseas, you may send details including the unit number to [email protected]. We will attempt to add the unit to the list of recipients.
Books and magazines - E-Books for Troops
We are the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing e-books and e-book technology to military personnel who are deployed overseas defending our country. E-Books for Troops, Inc. is a 100% volunteer-based and are dedicated to raising money to provide sponsored units with e-book readers and e-books in order to improve the quality of life and morale for our deployed Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors.
Books and magazines - Magazines for Troops
Magazines for Troops was formed to fill a common request by deployed troops - a need for reading material. We distribute boxes of magazines to our deployed men and women who are serving America in any branch of service. Our intention is to remind these brave warriors that they are not forgotten, and to put a smile on their faces!
Each box contains an average of 40 magazines, including at least 30 different titles. The idea is to cover a broad range of subjects to satisfy a large variety of interests. Subjects include guns, cars, trucks, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, hunting, sports, celebrity, fitness, country stuff, boats, skiing, and many others.
Books and magazines - Operation Comix Relief
My name is Chris Tarbassian and back in March 2003, I started a small home-based "project" which I called Operation Comix Relief. My goal...to get some comic books to my friend Major (then Capt.) Tom Chafe (an Air Force Flight Nurse), so that he could pass them out to the ill and/or wounded soldiers, to provide them with some diversional activities (as well as for him to read) during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Well, it's still home-based, but my idea has evolved into a much larger operation, and as a result of which, I am now able and willing to send comics to any front line soldier.
If you would like to donate to us, or know of a soldier who you think might like to receive one of our package, please write us at the address provided.
Books and magazines - Operation Paperback
Operation Paperback is a national, non-profit organization, whose volunteers collect gently-used books and send them to American troops overseas, as well as veterans and military families here at home.
In addition to overseas locations, Operation Paperback provides books to wounded warrior programs and veterans hospitals located within the United States, as well as USO centers at US Airport transit points. In 2012, we also added a new program that offers a free shipment of books to any military family.
- Providing books from military Professional Reading Lists to support servicemember professional development goals.
- Supporting chaplains as they counsel troops, both before redeployment and after reunification, with a variety of specifically-requested titles.
- Supplying books for the annual book give away at NSA Souda Bay in Crete, Greece for service members and their families.
- Supplying children's books to deployed soldiers who read to their children via webcam or on DVDs.
DVDs and CDs - AdoptaPlatoon (Send a Blessing)
Send thanks to our Troops at Thanksgiving! So you can’t send a turkey – but you can send a DVD movie, popcorn, a bag of candy corn, and a letter filled with things you’re thankful for! Send a photo of you and your family too! Project created by the AdoptaPlatoon™.
DVDs and CDs - Books for Soldiers
Send troops books, DVDs, games and relief supplies.
Games, gaming - Super Game Day (AdoptaPlatoon)
Sending games and snacks to give the troops something to do in their down time! All kinds of games are needed: board games, cards, dominos, Scrabble, hand-held games, puzzles and anything you think they would enjoy doing! And don’t forget the snacks -- candy, chips, salsa, popcorn, beef jerky, just to name a few! Project created by the AdoptaPlatoon™.
Games, gaming - Mobile Entertainment Gaming System (MEGS) program provided by USO
MEGS is a portable, self-contained and highly durable multimedia platform created to give our troops endless hours of fun and relaxation. With the ability to be set up and broken down in minutes, MEGS can be delivered to forward operating bases, ships at sea or to stateside installations.
Built to accommodate four players simultaneously, each MEGS supports the Xbox® 360, Sony Playstation® 3 and the Nintendo® Wii™. MEGS systems come with all the necessary adapters, cables and routers, for easy set up for service men and women.
Games, gaming - Operation Supply Drop
Operation Supply Drop provides relevant and relatable ongoing support to troops and their families as well as creates the opportunity for the larger community to get involved with the active military population.
Programs include: On-Post Events, Video-Game Care Packages, Armed Forces Cup (ESports), Games to Grunts and 8-Bit Salute
Boots
Boots for Troops
This is our primary program at Boots For Troops. Once selected to receive a BFT care package, our team personally corresponds with the service members or family/friends of service members who request a package. We send over a form via e-mail that ask a series of questions such as what does the service member need where they are deployed? What is their favorite snacks? What is their favorite sports team, and more. Lastly, each package comes with a new pair of personal boots selected by the package recipient. This program is designed to generate the biggest morale boost possible.
Cigars
Cigars for Warriors
We are honored to have the privilege of sending in excess of 1.1 million donated cigars directly to our troops wherever they are serving in the world.
Coffee and snacks
Cakes, cookies, snacks - Edible Spirits Freedom Cake (Edible Spirits and TroopCarePack.com)
Show you support freedom by sending a cake to a member of the US Armed Forces stationed anywhere in the world. Edible Spirits has been sending cakes to the military overseas for over 6 years and doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. We value our freedom, and we are thankful to those who agree.
Cakes, cookies, snacks - Operation Birthday Cake (Bake Me a Wish and Soldiers' Angels)
Thanks to a cooperative project between Soldiers' Angels and Bake Me a Wish, deployed service members can receive birthday cakes from patriotic Americans. For every Freedom Cake purchased on Bake Me a Wish, a birthday cake will be sent to a service member in the customer's name. Bake Me a Wish will generously donate their delicious birthday cakes, and Soldiers' Angels will send each one on its way.
Cakes, cookies, snacks - Operation We Care & King Cakes
Cakes, cookies, snacks - Soldiers' Angels
The Angel Bakers are a group of highly dedicated Soldiers’ Angels who bake homemade treats for our deployed military heroes.
Each month the Angel Bakers send specially-made cookies, brownies, and other treats to units identified by Soldiers’ Angels as needing extra Angel love. Our aim is to show our heroes how much people back home appreciate and care about them.
Cakes, cookies, snacks - Treat the Troops
The purpose of Treat The Troops is to let deployed American military persons, on the front, living in tents or temporary quarters, know that people at home are remembering them. Home-baked cookies and other "comfort Items," along with a note of thanks, are sent. Site includes tips for baking and shipping your own cookies for the Troops.
Coffee - Alpha Coffee (Coffee for Troops)
We've made it a core part of our mission to give back to our military community and send even more amazing tasting coffee to deployed service members. Nothing like an awesome cup of coffee to make it a better day (or night) downrange.
Coffee - Boca Java (Coffee for the Troops)
Since 2005, Boca Java and our loyal customers have donated over 8.1 MILLION cups of gourmet coffee to our U.S. Troops serving honorably all around the world.
Boca Java has formally partnered with the USO to bring coffee to our Troops. Boca Java will match each bag donated by our customers.
Coffee - Green Beans Coffee Co (Cup O' Joe for a Joe)
In our travels to see the Troops, many share with us their sense of loneliness, isolation and feelings of being forgotten. Their commanders tell us that some Soldiers never receive mail from home. In response, Green Beans Coffee has launched Cup of Joe For A Joe to let anyone, anywhere in the world, say thanks to our troops through the simple act of buying a cup of coffee and having it delivered along with their own personal note of encouragement into the hands of a deployed Soldier.
Coffee - Holy Joe's Cafe
Holy Joe's Cafe is an all-volunteer non-profit that sends coffee to U.S. troops around the world via a network of cafes run by military chaplains. All are welcome to join us in this nationwide volunteer effort!
Holy Joe's Cafe is a Coffee House Ministry – United Church of Christ military chaplains have found an old way to invite U.S. soldiers into a safe and informal place where they can receive spiritual care and good coffee. Congregations and individuals can support the Coffee House Ministry and simultaneously participate in the UCC Coffee Project by sending Equal Exchange Coffee to the military chaplains in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.
Coffee - William III (Coffee for the Troops Program)
At WILLIAM III, a portion of every sale goes to support our Coffee For The Troops Program. WILLIAM III has been sending coffee care packages to the troops deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and to the personnel aboard the USNS Comfort and other detachments in harm's way for over 9 years. We have sent approximately 18150 care packages to date consisting of whole bean, ground, regular roast and various flavors.
Phone communication, phone cards
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Cell Phones for Soldiers is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services and emergency funding to active-duty military members and veterans. Since 2004, the charity has provided more than 400 million minutes of airtime to servicemen and women deployed around the world, by recycling more than 25 million cell phones reducing the impact on landfills.
Operation Phone Home (USO)
Even in today’s digitally advanced society, a simple phone call to a loved one can bring joy, peace and strength to families separated by service. But expensive international phone rates and service plans are often out of reach for young service members. That’s where the USO steps in.
Operation Phone Home®, one of the services forward-deployed service members most frequently request, is a two-part program. Launched in 2003 as a phone card program, Operation Phone Home® has changed with the times, adding a private telephone network and internet connectivity in 2009.
At our centers located in combat zones, the USO’s private telephone network allows service members to make free phone calls home, provides access to computers with free high-speed Internet bandwidth and offers free wireless internet access for those with their own wifi-enabled device. More and more expectant fathers take advantage of this free internet access to virtually accompany their wives into the delivery room for the birth of their children.
Pillows
Operation Pocket Field Pillow
A group of volunteers in my community began Operation Pocket Field Pillow in February 2009, when my son deployed to Afghanistan. To date, we've made and shipped over 10,000 ACU pocket field pillows to our combat troops and over 2,000 fleece travel pillows to our wounded. Our aim is simple; to keep working to let our troops know that we will not forget them. Our pillows are small enough to store in a ruck or pocket and are meant to be taken out in the field on missions.
All the ACU and fleece we use is donated, and the few donations we receive help pay to ship boxes of our field pillows to Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany. Visit our blog to learn how you can make an ACU pocket field pillow.
Soldier care items
Equipment - Support a Soldier
The mission of Support a Soldier is to provide U.S. military men and woman with non-lethal ancillary equipment and other necessities, thereby improving their safety, readiness, comfort and/or efficiency in areas of combat operations.
Eyewear, anti-ballistic - Armor 4 Troops Foundation
The primary mission of the Armor 4 Troops Foundation is to provide new and replacement "state-of-the-art" anti-ballistic eyewear, Under-Armour, personal gear, and other critical equipment and services directly to United States troops in the field that are currently engaged in war zones or other peacekeeping and humanitarian missions throughout the world where combat violence is a threat.
Snipers - AmericanSnipers.org
Adopt A Sniper is comprised of a confederation of military and law enforcement snipers from across the country who provide their brothers-in-arms with materials that make their lives...and their jobs...easier. Items range personal hygiene gear to tactical products such as holsters, high-speed rucksacks, new optics, and rifle accessories.
Socks - Covert Threads
Covert Threads developed a line of military boot socks, physical training socks, and dress socks along with other improved garments for the Marine, Soldier or anyone looking for comfortable yet rugged socks that stand up to the rigors of harsh climates and conditions. These socks have been worn by a former Marine in Fallujah, Iraq. You can read more about his story on the About Us page.
In honor of our men & women serving, we are continuing the “Buy 10 pair and get 3 additional pair free” promotion.
Socks - Operation Foot Care Patrol (AdoptaPlatoon)
Our Troops' summer mission in high desert temperatures is extremely tough, and in winter they face cold and wet environments. Troops must constantly take care of their feet, guarding against sores, blisters, fungus, bacteria and keeping their feet dry. To a U.S. deployed Soldier or Marine, a new pair of crew or boot or thermal socks is a blessing that goes beyond words. Socks are one of the greatest requests we receive from our Troops. Project created by the AdoptaPlatoon™
Additional support
Bulk supplies on demand - Troops Direct
TroopsDirect supports our front line troops exclusively at larger unit levels with the objective of making them the healthiest, most energized and highest spirited Marines, soldiers, aircrew and sailors that we can. We function as a non-profit ‘back line’ of supply for units based in Afghanistan, Africa, at sea and other in other ‘hot spots’. We communicate with the front lines daily and provide -in bulk- detailed hygiene, nutrition, gear and K9 support.
Contrary to most groups providing smaller and seasonal care packages for individual soldiers, TroopsDirect ships in bulk every week in battle proven cartons manufactured to our exacting specifications. Furthermore, TroopsDirect support is the most timely, accurate and adaptable amongst known support organizations.
Comedians, comedy clubs, entertainment - Armed Forces Entertainment
As the official Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel overseas, Armed Forces Entertainment and its performers have the honor of supporting soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors by bringing them the very best in American entertainment.
Entertainment has long been one of the biggest morale boosters for U.S. military personnel serving overseas. Today, Armed Forces Entertainment hosts more than 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching more than 500,000 personnel at 270 military installations. From muddy make-shift stages to show-stopping extravaganzas, the performances bring a piece of home to those stationed far away from home.
Gift certificate donations - AAFES
Purchase an AAFES Gift Card(s)/ Exchange Catalog Gift Certificate(s) to include in your care package or letter to a military family member, friend or loved one to be used at a local post exchange around the world. Please remember to send to only recipients that have Exchange privileges.
Sports equipment - Bowling (The Bowlers to Veterans Link)
Thanks to America’s bowling community, when active duty troops around the world have some down time, they can enjoy some fun and competition via a lightweight, portable carpet bowling lane kit, shipped complete with a rubberized bowling ball, ten pins and score sheets.
Sports equipment - Golf (Bunkers in Baghdad)
We are a not-for-profit charity that collects and sends new and used golf balls, clubs and equipment to our troops currently serving in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bunkers also supplies golf equipment to Wounded Warriors Programs around the country to aid in the rehabilitation of our injured veterans.
USO2GO kits - USO
USO2GO delivers the USO’s most popular services to troops in remote and restricted areas. Everything from beanbag chairs, snacks, coffee, and toiletries to phone cards, DVDs, XBox®360, PlayStation® 3, and Wii. Also available are laptops, musical instruments, art supplies, footballs, Frisbees, and horseshoes.
Developed with feedback from deployed troops, USO2GO kits change as their needs change. Units can select eight variations that can be customized to fit the needs of individual units stationed on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs).