Christmas is a perfect time to tell someone they are appreciated and loved,..It's a time to do good deed's for other's. This Christmas,..Let's give back to the Troop's. They have given us the ultimate gift of Freedom,..through blood, sweat and tear's,.. sacrificing beyond measure's.

It's time to give back,....

I will be sharing many Great project's the good people from here back at home are working on, to ensure not one Service Member gets left out this Christmas Season. It is a very, very tall order to fill I know,..almost sounds impossible but I'm here to say,..It is possible.

All you need is a start in the right direction, some determination, creativity mixed with a little networking and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish for the Troop's.

In order to fill such a big order, we all have to think outside of the box. Here is some of my idea's that I have had success in when finding added Support for the Troop's.

*Needed Home-Made Item's for the wounded - Call community retirements homes and ask if any residents would like to make a little something. Most love to, they want to feel needed. Also contacting local VA's has proven well, most of the wives's does some kind of knitting or crocheting and they are happy to pitch in.

*Needed gently used magazine's and book's - Call your local doctor's and dentist's offices in your community and ask them if they would like to donate. Also local libraries often will partake as well as local High Schools.

*Needed Get Well card's & letter's for the wounded - My first go to's for these are straight to the local elementary schools. The kid's are so creative and they draw and say some of the funniest of things. I have also reached out to my community church's - they are always glad to collect the card's and letter's.

Golden Rule #1,..Network,..Network and Network. Whether it's in your hometown community or your online social communities. It's amazing how you can put a "Shout-Out" to your friends and families and get somthing great going. I have networked with a few other firiends here at home and in different states, among all of us we collected more than what we thought was possiable. (And that's a hell of a good feeling).

Golden Rule #2,..Teamwork,..Teamwork and Teamwork !!!!

S.O.S - Stockings for Soldiers

They are seeking Troop Supporters to fill Christmas Stocking's for the Troop's. They have over 300 requested so far who are wanting to have some Christmas cheer this year.and the list is growing. If you are interested in sending a stuffed Christmas stocking to our deployed and wounded soldiers please contact /operationamericanhero and they will be able to fill in any details you need to know.

Stocking Stuffer Suggestions,...

Socks, small snack meals, gum, hand knit hats, MP3 players, DVDs, CDs, cameras, hand-held game players, pens and paper, Sudoku books, playing cards, hand warmers and personal hygiene products especially chap-stick, sunblock and sun glasses. 

North Pole Express - Supporting Our Heroe's

The North Pole Expressis a site that was created for the children of deployed Service Members. They are basically the "go between", the go between a deployed Service Member and a adoptive party who would like to send a package to a child of a deployed Service Member.

Many families are having a hard time making end's meet and by giving to the children of deployed Service Members, you are putting not only their hearts at ease, but their mind as well. This is a great way to support a Service Member,..the less they need to worry about their families back home, the better focused they can stay, making it safer and bettering their chance of making it back home.

If you feel your children would benefit from our program please contact the North Pole Express so they can add them to their annual list. Sign ups from Sept 1. until Nov 25th. 2009.

"OPERATION S.E.N.D. CHRISTMAS 2009"  Presented by, Military Missions Inc.

Military Missions is accepting donations in the form of care package items, cards and letters, and monetary donations to cover postage which will be about $25,000 for boxes mailed out this December. The deadline for donations is November 30. Boxes will be mailed the first week in December in order to reach our troops by Christmas Day.

If you know of someone who will be deployed during the Christmas holiday this year they can be added to the Care Package mailing list.

To find out more about you can get involved, visit the organization’s website,..

Need Cards & Letters Sent to the Wounded Service Members,...

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), the largest American hospital outside the United States, is where the majority of our wounded soldiers are directly transferred to from the field while serving in the Middle East, Persian Gulf areas and Europe. Wounded Soldiers arrive daily...

They also mentioned that their is a Burger King across the street and they happen to accept U.S. Burger King gift certificate's. (Hint,...Hint). They also have a need for other items, which you can read more at forthewoundedsoldiers ,..you will also find the address and easy mailing instructions.

Keep in mind,.."They may no longer be in the war,..But their still fighting the battle".

Thank you Crazdwriter,..Your enthusiasm is Awesome !!!

Let's Hear Christmas Cheer for the Wounded Soldier
http://hubpages.com/_dmmz4koqz8cx/hub/Lets-Hear-Christmas-Cheer-for-the-Wounded-Soldier
Can we bring a smile to those who are a long way from home who may not make it home for Christmas to be with family? they are in pain, in a bed, far from home, and most likely sad because of the fact that they can’t make it home for Christmas. They will be receiving cards and gifts from family but what about from strangers, strangers who will show them that they care about those soldiers who were wounded fighting for our freedom?

Thank you resspenser,... You have a very big heart and you speak so well through your words.

Holiday Mail for Heroes, Christmas for our Guys in the Armed Services
http://hubpages.com/_dmmz4koqz8cx/hub/Holiday-Mail-for-Heroes-Christmas-for-our-Guys-in-the-Armed-Services
American Red Cross. The "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program is a program that allows us to send Christmas cards to service men and women, veterans, and their families