• While hundreds of thousands of men and women from all over America are serving
  in the armed forces and away from their homes, those on the homefront can be
  making a difference too. Many individuals and organizations are looking for
  ways to support our troops, their families, and our country.
• Partnering with the Department of Defense, the USA Freedom Corps is offering
  resources to Americans who want to express their support for members of the
  military, and help their families in meaningful ways. Here are some of the ways
  to support our troops, give time and care to their families, and strengthen our
  communities.
• These resources are available online at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
  

• Through Operation Dear Abby, send e-mail messages to deployed troops of any
  Service from your home state http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/.
• Through Defend America, sign an online thank you card for troops
  http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html.
• Through Operation USA Care Package, contribute to the purchase of a care
  package of items requested by troops such as sunscreen, disposable cameras,
  prepaid calling cards, and toiletries. http://www.usocares.org.
  

Families of reservists, National Guard men and women and active duty military
may need extra help in meeting basic home and family needs during deployment.
There are many ways individuals, organizations, and businesses can offer their
time and resources to help families of deployed troops. Here are some of the
opportunities now available through the USA Freedom Corps' new "On the
Homefront" web resource:

• The local chapters of the American Legion, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls
  Clubs of America, BPO Elks of the USA, Camp Fire USA, National 4-H Council,
  National Fraternal Congress of America, The Salvation Army, U.S. Chamber of
  Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and YMCA of the USA are among leading
  community service organizations providing ways for volunteers to help local
  military families.
• Working with the National Guard and Reserve, as well as with military bases,
  these organizations will match volunteers with families that need help in areas
  such as household repairs, spring cleanings or tutoring and direct those
  families to businesses and organizations that may be offering free or discounted
  services. Volunteers can also help families, including those who own small
  businesses, with specialized skills like major repairs, financial planning or
  legal services.
• Some of these organizations are also helping to take care of children, after
  school and on the weekends, whose families have a parent or caregiver stationed
  away from home. Organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire
  USA, National 4-H Council, and YMCA of the USA are playing important roles in
  these efforts.
• Individuals can also make a difference at home by reaching out to share their
  time and compassion with veterans to say "thank you" for their service to our
  country and by volunteering with a Veterans Administration hospital or other
  facility.