1. Do you have DVDs taking up space in your closet or a pile of them stacked in the corner of a room? I do. I have in the past dropped them off at the Friends of the Library for their annual sale but wanted to share another option I just found out about: Dvds4vets.org sends films to more than 1000 veterans facilities to benefit our wounded soldiers. I love this way to help brighten the lives of others, recycle and bonus it's giving me much needed inspiration to clean my closet.
2. Operation Gratitude is a great organization that makes care packages for military personnel with letters, snacks and toiletry items. FYI they save us from ourselves too as they take Halloween candy!
3. Are you a member of an airline frequent flier program? The Hero Miles Program provides round-trip airline tickets to wounded, injured, and ill service members and/or their families who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center; or who are attending an authorized event. I know I have miles on a few different airline FF programs and I dare say I will never reach the amount for a free trip so why let the miles go unused. Some programs don't roll-over the miles each year so make a note on your calendar to check and donate if you can.
4. Still one of my favorites are Blessing Bags. My goal is to make a few a month of these and pass them out to those in need in my local community (Sadly, veterans are overrepresented in the homeless population in America.) Putting these bags together is a great project to do with kids (your own whippersnappers, Girl Scout Troops or Boy Scouts, Sunday School Class) to teach them about helping others. You'll need a few Gallon Size Ziploc Bags and the stuff (The $1 store is great place to find stuff for your bags and on your next trip save those hotel courtesy lotions, etc.) I got into a conversation with my Dr. the other day and was telling him about these bags and he gave me $20 to make a couple up on his behalf. Wasn't that cool?! So here's Dr. D.'s bags...
Some ideas for items to include...
Chapstick
Packages of tissues
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Comb
Soap (place in a separate bag in a bag so it doesn't go near foods)
Nuts or Trail Mix
Raisins, Applesauce, Fruit Cup
Protein or Granola Bars
Tuna or Chicken Salad Kit
Peanut Butter
RTD Protein Shakes
Band-Aids
First Aid Kit
Drink Mix
Coins (for laundromats) or a couple of bucks (for a meal)
Grocery Store or local Restaurant Gift Card (even remainders of cards w/ amount noted are welcomed)
Hand Wipes
Pen/Mini Notebook
Feminine Products
Cough Drops
Depending on the weather in your area you could also put in a Warm Pair of Socks, a Rain Poncho, Hot Hands (I love these)
5. If you are remembering our military this weekend by attending a Memorial Day parade here's oodles of healthy Red, White & Blue recipes and more to come home too.
Thank you to those who serve and have served and their families.
