I am so thrilled with Together We Can Change the World Day! It is the 1st Saturday of every month and the launch date is March 7, 2009. I have chosen Thank A Veteran as my "kick-off" project and I would love you to join me in thanking veterans, active military, and military families for their willingness and efforts in protecting our way of life. Please feel free to go to: http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/Home/133768 and see all the projects that are going on around the world to launch this opportunity. If you want to do Thank A Veteran and another project from the list or you want to create your own then just add your project to the projects listed and do the followup afterward to let everyone know how you felt and the things that you accomplished. We love stories in this company. Here are just a few of the ways you can thank a Veteran, taken from 101 to Support Our Troops:
Military Families, Active Military, and Veterans
Project Homefront
While our troops take care of our homeland, we can help take care of their homes. This was originally created by the Home Depot to help over 1700 of their associates currently serving in the military, but they have extended the program, in coordination with Rebuilding Together and USA Freedom Corps, to help the families of all active duty military. This effort will help these families keep up their home lives and their homes while their loved ones are away.
You can volunteer, sponsor a house, start an affiliate, or help in other ways. To find out how you can help, go to: www.projecthomefront.org
Cell Phones for Soldiers
The Cell Phones for Soldiers program was started by thirteen year old Brittany Bergquist and her twelve year old brother Robbie of Norwell, MA. After hearing a news report about a local soldier who ran up a massive phone bill calling home from Iraq, they decided they wanted to do something to help. Donated cell phones will go to recyclers. The income generated goes to purchase calling cards for our troops.
Pets
Pets can be a great source of comfort to troops. Many American military adopted cats and dogs from overseas and want to return several opportunities to support our military in bringing their pet’s home:
· You can become a pet foster home, caring for a pet until a soldier is rotated home.
· Greet pets at the airport, helping them clear customs or making sure they catch connecting flights.
· Help to sponsor a mascot.
Go to www.militarymascots.org for more information.
Defenders of Freedom
Defenders of Freedom.us is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting our men and women in uniform. They support our troops who are at war, wounded troops in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, and venues with 100% of all monies going to the troops.
A great way to help is to purchase a wrist band to show your support for our troops. They cost just $2.00 and are an easy way to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers. Due to the nature of the tie-dye, no 2 bracelets will ever be the same.
Go to www.DefendersofFreedom.us for more information.
Military Families, Active Military, and Veterans
Project Homefront
While our troops take care of our homeland, we can help take care of their homes. This was originally created by the Home Depot to help over 1700 of their associates currently serving in the military, but they have extended the program, in coordination with Rebuilding Together and USA Freedom Corps, to help the families of all active duty military. This effort will help these families keep up their home lives and their homes while their loved ones are away.
You can volunteer, sponsor a house, start an affiliate, or help in other ways. To find out how you can help, go to: www.projecthomefront.org
Cell Phones for Soldiers
The Cell Phones for Soldiers program was started by thirteen year old Brittany Bergquist and her twelve year old brother Robbie of Norwell, MA. After hearing a news report about a local soldier who ran up a massive phone bill calling home from Iraq, they decided they wanted to do something to help. Donated cell phones will go to recyclers. The income generated goes to purchase calling cards for our troops.
Pets
Pets can be a great source of comfort to troops. Many American military adopted cats and dogs from overseas and want to return several opportunities to support our military in bringing their pet’s home:
· You can become a pet foster home, caring for a pet until a soldier is rotated home.
· Greet pets at the airport, helping them clear customs or making sure they catch connecting flights.
· Help to sponsor a mascot.
Go to www.militarymascots.org for more information.
Defenders of Freedom
Defenders of Freedom.us is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting our men and women in uniform. They support our troops who are at war, wounded troops in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, and venues with 100% of all monies going to the troops.
A great way to help is to purchase a wrist band to show your support for our troops. They cost just $2.00 and are an easy way to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers. Due to the nature of the tie-dye, no 2 bracelets will ever be the same.
Go to www.DefendersofFreedom.us for more information.
Active Military
Pictures
Send pictures of the newest businesses that have opened in their hometown. It may seem a little silly to you, but it keeps them informed and lets them not be so surprised when they return.
Send Cards
Put their name in the local newspaper or on the radio station asking for a “Thinking of You” or “Thank You” card shower. Have everyone send cards to the station by a certain date. You pick them up and put them all together, then send them. You can just put them in a big box or compile them into a journal they can keep forever.
Frisbees
Send them a Frisbee. They will have hours of fun with their friends. They can play Frisbee anywhere.
Different Ways to Make the Days Go Faster
Make a list of different ways to make the days go faster. Make them funny to keep them and their buddies laughing. Once your have compiled it, send it to as many of the troops as you can. All of them will appreciate it.
Charity Greeting Cards and Stickers
Collect all the free charity greeting cards and stickers that come in the mail, as well as the left over cards you have from the holidays. They can all be sent to the troops for them to turn around and send them home.
Adopt a Soldier
My Soldier is a program that puts politics aside and lets US troops know someone back home cares. Sgt. Juan Salas, who served for 15 months in Iraq, established the program with the help of his school, Manhattanville College, when he returned from the war. The goal of the program is to show support for troops by establishing pen-pal relationships with them. When you enroll in the “No Cost” My Soldier program, you agree to adopt a soldier. You will receive a “starter kit” containing a red My Soldier bracelet to publicly show your support for American troops and guidelines for writing letters to your soldier. Go to www.mville.edu/mysoldier/index.html.
Greet Veterans
When you see a person in a military uniform, shake their hand and say “Thank you for serving our country.”
Recognize Our Military
Ask your elected officials at all levels to recognize our military.
Show Respect, Gratitude, and Thanks
Show respect, gratitude, and thanks to the troops by studying and understanding the contributions made by the military to American history, as well as the contributions they are making today to create history.
Talk to your schools and ask them to invite veterans into the classrooms so students can meet “real people” who have given to their country. Putting a human face on history can make it so much more powerful.
Cards and Notes
Send cards and notes to hospitalized veterans and those living in Veteran’s homes. So many times they feel alone and forgotten. Your cards and notes can let them know their contribution was appreciated and it will ease their loneliness.
Radio Stations
Make requests to your favorite radio stations to play patriotic theme songs in honor of our troops.
Local Organizations
If you are a member of your local Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Shriners, and Elks clubs and Masons, Soroptimist International, etc., make recommendations to honor our military, invite them as guest speakers, etc.
American Flag
Fly the American flag on your house, car, or business every day our troops are deployed.
Urge your community to fly the American flag from May 1 through June 14 – Flag Day
Thank You Notes
Send a Thank You Note to our troops. A “Million Thanks” is a year-round campaign to show your US Military Men and Women, past and present, your appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to your country through your letters, emails, cards, prayers, and thoughts. Go to: www.AmillionThanks.org for more information.
Pictures
Send pictures of the newest businesses that have opened in their hometown. It may seem a little silly to you, but it keeps them informed and lets them not be so surprised when they return.
Send Cards
Put their name in the local newspaper or on the radio station asking for a “Thinking of You” or “Thank You” card shower. Have everyone send cards to the station by a certain date. You pick them up and put them all together, then send them. You can just put them in a big box or compile them into a journal they can keep forever.
Frisbees
Send them a Frisbee. They will have hours of fun with their friends. They can play Frisbee anywhere.
Different Ways to Make the Days Go Faster
Make a list of different ways to make the days go faster. Make them funny to keep them and their buddies laughing. Once your have compiled it, send it to as many of the troops as you can. All of them will appreciate it.
Charity Greeting Cards and Stickers
Collect all the free charity greeting cards and stickers that come in the mail, as well as the left over cards you have from the holidays. They can all be sent to the troops for them to turn around and send them home.
Adopt a Soldier
My Soldier is a program that puts politics aside and lets US troops know someone back home cares. Sgt. Juan Salas, who served for 15 months in Iraq, established the program with the help of his school, Manhattanville College, when he returned from the war. The goal of the program is to show support for troops by establishing pen-pal relationships with them. When you enroll in the “No Cost” My Soldier program, you agree to adopt a soldier. You will receive a “starter kit” containing a red My Soldier bracelet to publicly show your support for American troops and guidelines for writing letters to your soldier. Go to www.mville.edu/mysoldier/index.html.
Greet Veterans
When you see a person in a military uniform, shake their hand and say “Thank you for serving our country.”
Recognize Our Military
Ask your elected officials at all levels to recognize our military.
Show Respect, Gratitude, and Thanks
Show respect, gratitude, and thanks to the troops by studying and understanding the contributions made by the military to American history, as well as the contributions they are making today to create history.
Talk to your schools and ask them to invite veterans into the classrooms so students can meet “real people” who have given to their country. Putting a human face on history can make it so much more powerful.
Cards and Notes
Send cards and notes to hospitalized veterans and those living in Veteran’s homes. So many times they feel alone and forgotten. Your cards and notes can let them know their contribution was appreciated and it will ease their loneliness.
Radio Stations
Make requests to your favorite radio stations to play patriotic theme songs in honor of our troops.
Local Organizations
If you are a member of your local Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Shriners, and Elks clubs and Masons, Soroptimist International, etc., make recommendations to honor our military, invite them as guest speakers, etc.
American Flag
Fly the American flag on your house, car, or business every day our troops are deployed.
Urge your community to fly the American flag from May 1 through June 14 – Flag Day
Thank You Notes
Send a Thank You Note to our troops. A “Million Thanks” is a year-round campaign to show your US Military Men and Women, past and present, your appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to your country through your letters, emails, cards, prayers, and thoughts. Go to: www.AmillionThanks.org for more information.
VA Hospital
Take your family or friends to a VA Hospital and just walk around and thank each one you see for their service. The impact of everyone will be huge.
Please let me know what you do, how things go, and what you will do next month. Have a great Together We Can Change The World Day!!!
