Charity Advice Needed--Military Support

Peaches

Peaches

Well-Known Member
Hello again, Void! It's me again, asking for advice...again.

This year my family is doing a Secret Santa for gifts. I drew my brother's name. I asked his wife what he'd like, and it would seem that he's being unhelpful with the ideas this year, so that didn't work out. But I was thinking that perhaps I'd make a donation to a charity in his name.

He's ex-military, and it's still a very large part of his identity. I was thinking I'd give money to an organization that supports troops. There are lots of them out there. Does anyone have experience with ones that are particlarly good that they'd recommend?

Thanks, Void. :)

See Also: Fundraising for dance studio ideas, Volunteering at Charity Events
 
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I don't have a particular named charity re veterans, but I am going to ask family who will know...but if I was going to give, it would be to those families who are suffering the ill-effects and injuries and unemployment since return...ie burn victims and those in re-hab with prosthetics or needing mental health care as I don't think those charities get as much support as things like care packages to those abroad
 
Thanks!

We're trying to get out of the traditional gift giving. Some of the more difficult family member are being, well, difficult. But the rest of us have come to the conclusion that it's ridiculous, since we're all adults. Secret Santa it is!

I'm always wary about donating money in someone else's name--mostly just the difficulty with knowing what they'd approve of and such like that. But it's just such a big part of him, it seems kind of obvious to go that route.

Now it's a matter of picking a charity. I'm looking hard at Soldiers' Angels. They cover a wide range of service member support, which I like. (And I appreciate the fact that the apostrophe in their name is used correctly.)
 
My company is looking to begin some fundraising activities for Fisher House, so I have looked into it a bit.

fisherhouse . org

Note that 96% of their proceeds go directly to their program, which is EXTREMELY high for any charity organization.

It's a great organization that raises funds for families of military and veterans to obtain housing close to a medical facility where a soldier or veteran is being treated for illness, disease or injury. This way, the wounded soldiers can have their family near them for support.
 
I can tell you, from experience as a person who interacts with the receipients of the Wounded Warrior Project...that your participation as a charity giver can never be measured in terms of the enormous value it gives the receipient and/or family of receipient.
 
Hm. The idea has now been shot down by two out of three family members asked. Considered too sad, and too much like what is done when someone dies. Hm. Dangit. I had thought it would be a good gift. Back to the drawing board.

Ah, well. It's still a good thing to keep charities, and charitable giving, in mind. Maybe I'll make a donation just in my own name, as a way of honoring my brother.
 
http://www.facebook.com/cupofjoeforajoe (Easiest way to find them.)

Our work-study is a Navy vet who ran checkpoints in Iraq and says caffeine is always welcome. And I've gotten thank-yous from a neat variety of bases in Afghanistan. You can do a Cup of Joe, and now they have Bags of Joe. REALLY easy to donate and appreciated.
 
mjnemeth said:
My wife sponsored one year.
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
you can donate or maybe buy something there.
Click to expand...

Wounded Warrior Project is currently the best known and best "military approved" charity among the troops. It is one that military members themselves often donate to in force because it is supporting their own in a very real, very substantial way, directly helping and supporting the military member and their families at a very critical time. Well worth your support and attention, and the kind of "gift" you can give a military member that does what they love most - supports their country and the sacrifices made to keep it safe and strong.

Each service has their own "internal" charities as well, which typically support current troops and veterans in financial need. They are usually geared towards providing aid to young troops or widows and children of deceased veterans. There is also the USO - found in airports everywhere - which does wonders for lifting the morale and providing a safe, supportive, restful environment for military members stuck in airports in endless deployments and other tours of duty. (The USO in airports, btw, also runs on volunteers, so if you're looking for a non-financial way to support the troops, it's worth a look.) The USO does plenty of other things as well, but let me say from personal experience, having a comfy chair, free food, and someone to watch your piles of luggage at 2AM is a pretty heartwarming thing after weeks in the field.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of charities that "support the troops" - so, as Larinda mentioned in another thread, look closely before you give so you know it's going to the right place and doing "what it says on the box."
 
I support these charities, and would really welcome input in terms of how much of my money is going where, so I can make sure my money is actually going to troops. .

My Dad was in the segregated US Army and was a part of the Negro-only units deployed to help clean up after the bombings in Japan. And he came back from WWII with a "Buy War Bonds!" placard on his car. That is my father.

In his name, I support the troops. That's what he wants.
 
Pyg--try looking at charitynavigator.org. They have reviews and evaluations of all kinds of charities. One of the things they look at is the percentage of revenue that is spent on programs (as opposed to administrative expenses). Very worthwhile.
 
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