Letting servicemembers know they're not forgotten this Valentine's Day couldn't be easier, thanks to a national troop-support group's online care package program.
Operation Homefront's "eCarePackage" program allows American citizens to send care packages to servicemembers and their families. The program also is available for military families to send and receive packages.
"(Servicemembers and their families) just have to register, but it's completely secure," said Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront. "We don't share any private information, not even first names."
When servicemembers or their family members register, they're assigned a number that becomes their eCarePackage identity. Registered users can pass that number to friends and family members, who then can use it to send care packages they create from the requestor's wish list.
Civilians can choose to send packages to servicemembers from specific states, branch of service, or even current duty station. The option to make it a birthday gift also is available.
The program, which began in time for Christmas 2006 and offers specific products for each major holiday, has a wide variety of products from which to choose, thanks to donors. Candy is available, as well as small pillows and "fun stuff," Leyva said.
"You're going to get some fun, higher-end stuff," she said. "It's a heck of a lot cheaper for a servicemember to send a care package this way, since all our care package products are donated."
The only cost to senders is shipping, and even that is discounted.
"We actually have got a deal with DHL, so we do tend to get cheaper rates in general, and we pass that on," Leyva said. "And, because we do have the direct partnership with DHL, we have been able to get valentine stuff out to Iraq as quickly as three days, but it's not guaranteed."
Though there's no cutoff date for sending eCarePackages to or from Iraq, Leyva emphasized that sooner always is better than later.
Another feature offered through the program is the opportunity for senders and recipients to connect via e-mail.
"We like to encourage 'thank You' notes," Leyva said. "They end up striking up a great conversation with the one who sent the care package."
Notes also can be included in the care packages, she said.
Operation Homefront is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Related Sites:
Operation Homefront
America Supports You
Showing posts with label operation homefront. Show all posts
Showing posts with label operation homefront. Show all posts
Friday, February 08, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Troops get DVD's and cards for Valentine's Day!
What a wonderful idea! I know they must appreciate the movies. There are so many Americans with huge hearts. - HH
Partnership Remembers Troops at Valentine's Day
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2008 - Troops serving in Iraq this February will see a little Valentine love from the states thanks to a partnership between a troop-support group and a regional video store.
On Jan. 15, 25 Family Video stores in the Central Illinois area began collecting DVDs and Valentines for the troops, said Eric Schuller, president of Operation Homefront's Illinois chapter. The effort is part of the "Send a Soldier a Movie and a Valentine" campaign, which will end January 29.
Operation Homefront is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"By sending this small gesture of a movie and a Valentine you are showing the men and women in the military that we care for them and what they are doing for us on a daily basis," Schuller said.
Family Video also is providing a card for the Valentine message as well as a $2 discount on any DVD patrons purchase in the store for the program.
Just after the program kicked off, the video chain announced it would match DVD donations one-for-one, Schuller said.
"If we collect 5,000, they'll donate another 5,000," he said. "That's huge."
Raelene Ohanesian, Family Video's director of sales and marketing, said the company is proud to team with Operation Homefront on this project. "Family Video has had a long-standing commitment in supporting the men and women who ensure our freedoms," she added.
For more information on participating in "Send a Soldier a Movie and a Valentine," please visit the Web site of Operation Homefront's Illinois chapter.
Operation Homefront Illinois
America Supports You
Partnership Remembers Troops at Valentine's Day
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2008 - Troops serving in Iraq this February will see a little Valentine love from the states thanks to a partnership between a troop-support group and a regional video store.
On Jan. 15, 25 Family Video stores in the Central Illinois area began collecting DVDs and Valentines for the troops, said Eric Schuller, president of Operation Homefront's Illinois chapter. The effort is part of the "Send a Soldier a Movie and a Valentine" campaign, which will end January 29.
Operation Homefront is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"By sending this small gesture of a movie and a Valentine you are showing the men and women in the military that we care for them and what they are doing for us on a daily basis," Schuller said.
Family Video also is providing a card for the Valentine message as well as a $2 discount on any DVD patrons purchase in the store for the program.
Just after the program kicked off, the video chain announced it would match DVD donations one-for-one, Schuller said.
"If we collect 5,000, they'll donate another 5,000," he said. "That's huge."
Raelene Ohanesian, Family Video's director of sales and marketing, said the company is proud to team with Operation Homefront on this project. "Family Video has had a long-standing commitment in supporting the men and women who ensure our freedoms," she added.
For more information on participating in "Send a Soldier a Movie and a Valentine," please visit the Web site of Operation Homefront's Illinois chapter.
Operation Homefront Illinois
America Supports You
Monday, December 17, 2007
Operation Homefront Seeks Help for Deployed Service Member
Operation Homefront is asking residents and business in the Hinesville, Georgia area for their assistance to help a service member in need.
On December 5, 2007, a 28 year old Army Specialist came home from Iraq on R&R (rest and recuperation) to find his wife had taken everything and left him with an empty house. This soldier has nothing left: no car, no money, no household furnishings, no clothing for himself or his four children, and no Christmas. The children, ranging in ages from 2 to 7, were left with a next door neighbor. To make matters worse for this soldier, two of his children have birthdays coming up this week.
Please consider making a monetary donation to assist this family in need. We are also accepting donations of new or gently used household furnishings, and gift cards from places like, Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys "R" Us".
Please visit our website at www.operationhomefront.net/georgia to donate online or get more information on how you can help. Please mark all donations with case number: GA0700131, so we can ensure funds are directed to this family.
Please help this service member put his life back together for himself and his children and help us get him back in his home in time for Christmas. If you have any questions or need further information, please call Operation Homefront of Georgia at 800-390-2115.
On December 5, 2007, a 28 year old Army Specialist came home from Iraq on R&R (rest and recuperation) to find his wife had taken everything and left him with an empty house. This soldier has nothing left: no car, no money, no household furnishings, no clothing for himself or his four children, and no Christmas. The children, ranging in ages from 2 to 7, were left with a next door neighbor. To make matters worse for this soldier, two of his children have birthdays coming up this week.
Please consider making a monetary donation to assist this family in need. We are also accepting donations of new or gently used household furnishings, and gift cards from places like, Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys "R" Us".
Please visit our website at www.operationhomefront.net/georgia to donate online or get more information on how you can help. Please mark all donations with case number: GA0700131, so we can ensure funds are directed to this family.
Please help this service member put his life back together for himself and his children and help us get him back in his home in time for Christmas. If you have any questions or need further information, please call Operation Homefront of Georgia at 800-390-2115.
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