The stronger our military families, the stronger our forces, and ultimately each and every one of us. We depend on our community to keep moving forward in our mission to be there for those who serve our nation so selflessly, and we can use your help. We appreciate whatever you offer: time, talent or funds. If you want to help, we have a place for you with the Operation Homefront family.
Your Help is Priceless to Our Military Families.
Times are tough. Contrary to popular belief, the military is not recession-proof, and the stress of 10 years of war on our military families and the families of our wounded warriors continues to present great challenges. In 2011, we met 155,984 needs for military families, including active duty, Guard and Reserve members from all branches of service. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has provided more than $92 million dollars of funding to programs to benefit military families.
Your money and talents will be put to good use. We’ve received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for 6 years running, which places Operation Homefront in a category that only 4% of non-profits rated by the watch dog group ever achieve. We’ve also earned high ratings from the American Institute of Philanthropy, Better Business Bureau, Wise Giving Alliance and Combined Federal Campaign. Nationally, $.94 of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes to our programs that meet the needs of our military families and wounded warriors. Throughout the year, we host special morale events for our military and wounded warrior families, such as Homefront Celebrations, Back to School Brigade, Holiday Toy Drives, and special retreats for wounded warrior spouses. Learn more about our programs and volunteer opportunities.
I would love to help by becoming a volunteer. We are currently stationed in San Antonio, TX at Fort Sam Houston.
The local chapter has needs click on the word volunteers near the end of the text and it should take you to Operation Homefront volunteer site.
God bless all of our heros!!!
Is there a use for knitted items, like hats, scarves, mittens ? I belong to a group that would like to donate to a US assistance organization in need of such things. Please contact me.
My name is Salvatore, and I am a 73 year old, Italian, from the streets of New York City. Growing up in the streets, where Orgainzed crime was our biggest “Goal”! I was 10 years old and saw two men shot in the head, and told myself that they somehow deserved it? It took me almost 60 years before I came down with Post traumatic Stress Disorder! “SCARS’–Through-out our Life, but especially during our youth, many scars are inflicted upon us. Some of them are the results of Violence, abuse, rape, or “WARFARE”. Afew come from ‘Humiliation and Failure”. Others are caused by our own mis-adventures..
I believe that the Greatest “Sorrow is to be a Veteran, who witnessed the Artrocties of Humanity”, which are shown in a War Zone. It is impossible for a man or woman to come back from seeing these Artrocities, and be “Normal”, as to what the majority of people call normal. I was in a federal prison (White Collar crime)and handled the 3 years, without feeling any guilt or anger, as growing up, you sort of learn how to control your own mind! There was a young boy in Prison, who I had asked to go to church with me on several occasions, and he never showed up? Finally, I approached him, and asked WHY he didn’t show up? He told me that he would go to the chapel, but, just couldn’t walk up the stairs, for the service.. He felt this Fear, that I couldn’t understand at the time! There are many people with this same Fear, that never reveal their true feelings or inner emotions..He just couldn’t walk up the steps”??
I understand a little about thinking of suicide myself, as it is when WE feel like Life is not Great anymore, and WE are hurting the people WE truly Love by being around them, with our so-called “Inner Problems”..There has to be a way, that WE as a person, start learning how WE could reach out to these people, without, just giving them a phone number? If a little Lady nemed Ms.Mimi Silbert could start a foundation named “Delancey Street Foundation” and today have at least 5 locations that they will take in anyone (except Petifiles or Arsonists)! I went to her Foundation in San Fransico, and saw a miracle, whereas, there was 800 people living there, Loving each other as ONE, and there was NO STAFF—”People just Helping People”. I saw gang Bangers, Skin Heads, etc etc, all helping each other, and showing respect and love for each other..This Lady NEVER took a penny from the state or Government to run her Foundations!!!
Doctors and Priests are Great, but, they are NOT enough. There is a Chinese verse “WISDOM” is avoiding all thoughts that “WEAKEN US”..
I am NOT trying to be a therapist, but, when a person loses their Value in Life, they become Lost, and the easiest way to Lose it, is to be a Veteran or going to become a Veteran! “Patroitism” is Only a word, unless you are protecting your “OWN”–NOT protecting the whole WORLD! I am truly against the TWO Wars going on now, as they are all about Corruption, Monies, and Power, in MY opinion.. I would Love to be a Volunteer in anyway, if someone smarter than me ( I only went up to the 9th grade)could find the right direction to Help these Men and Woman..I am not an Educated person, but, I do have some Wisdom, Compassion, and Love for people. We live in a violent and Angry World, so WE all need to help each other in anyway WE can..
I thank you for Listening..
Respectfully
Salvatore P.
I am a social media manager and am preparing to doing some much needed work creating a FanPage for the Order of St. John’s of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaliers. Their mission is to help our wounded warriors of any of our wars with medical help, counseling, transition needs and virtually any help with their injuries, seen and unseen from their dedication to serving our country. I loved the photo you used from Katy Zimarowski Bossart. That image captures so many sentiments and pride for our military personnel. How can I get in touch with her? I’d like to use her image to help our California wounded warriors. Thank you for any help you can give me! Kathleen Keith
Hi Kathleen — So nice to hear from you. I think we can work something out. Could you contact me at susan.miller@operationhomefront.net? Also, would love to see your fan page! Looking forward to hearing from you.
I am an active-duty Soldier of 18 years and multiple-tour vet. I am preparing to leave the military due to a PTSD diagnoses. I have been writing and recording music throughout my 6 tours (5 OIF, 1, OEF). Recently, I received funding through Kickstarter to formally produce a professional album. due to the nature of Kickstarter, I could not advertise my project as a fund raiser.
This is a lengthy post but I would encourage everyone to read. I am looking for some serious supporters. I have an idea and I have passion. I need like-minded professionals that can offer advice, resources, and leadership in this mission.
There are two issues that go largely unaddressed regarding multiple-tour military service members. PTSD and Debt. Although PTSD has made a great deal of progress in recent years, the debt crisis has had virtually no media attention.
As a Senior Noncomissioned Officer working at an Intelligence Agency in Washington, I was shocked to have my access suspended immediately after returning from a deployment to Afghanistan. After all, I was working in extremely sensitive areas with news-making results. Why would I be deemed a security risk after a successful deployment?
Let me step back and tell you why. When a service-member deploys or is due to be away from home for an extended period, they are required (or strongly encouraged) to leave a power of attorney behind so a trusted person can perform financial transactions (i.e. pay bills, make purchases, file taxes.). Most likely, the service-member will leave a general power of attorney to their spouse.
In my case, deployments took me away from home in 2001, 2003-04, 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10-11. My now ex-wife did not act in my best interests during my time away. I did not fully understand the severity of my financial issues until, while attending the Noncomissioned Officers Academy 600 miles from my post, my car was repossessed. I had just returned from Iraq to attend this school and here I was in southern Arizona with no money, no car, and no clue.
After hitching a ride all the way to Colorado Springs, I was greeted by another financial tsunami. My house, newly built, was being foreclosed. Although my spouse denied culpability, I was certain financial obligations were being ignored. I had little time to address these issues because I was due back to Iraq.
Fast forward to April 2011. Following a divorce in 2010 and a move to Washington D.C. I was finally on the road to happiness. After a remarkably successful tour with Special Operations, I was greeted by an email, followed by a phone call, followed by removal from my office in a matter of minutes.
I had my periodic review interview (5 year update to a security clearance), only a few hours before I boarded a flight to the middle-east (Sept. 11, 2010). After being raked over the coals by an investigator about my finances, I knew I was in some hot water. I didn’t, however, know that my issues would result in suspension.
After nearly a year of lawyers and rebuttals, I was finally granted access just before Christmas of 2011. Marked as a troubled Solider by coworkers and supervisors, I was reluctantly taken back into the fold and given a new start in a new division.
During my time of limbo, I sought counsel for PTSD. After nearly a year of treatment, I was confident I would win this battle. That confidence was shattered in March 2012 when I was informed I would be reassigned (2 years from retirement eligibility), and deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months; giving me a total of 8 combat tours (6 months = 1 tour). After addressing my concern with the Army managers along with support from behavior health, I was informed I would have to go unless I was medically unable.
I am now going through a medical evaluation board to determine my fitness for continued active duty service. Most likely, I will be found unfit based on PTSD. Hopefully, I will be allowed to retire at my 20 year mark. Luckily, I am in a good position based on the number of years I have already served and my excellent evaluations as a leader.
Most Soldiers are not in the fortunate position I am in (years in service). There are scores of Soldiers that are teetering on the brink of financial hopelessness due to irresponsible power of attorney holders, predatory lenders, and fraud.
I have written Senator Carl Levin and Congressman Jeff Miller asking for substantial revision to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. I asked that qualified service-members be granted a no-interest loan for the amount of debt accrued during deployments, no questions asked. I asked that a law be passed that would automatically boost credit scores of qualified service-members by 150 points (not to exceed 700 points total). These requests were ignored.
My story is hardly unique. In fact, I am among the more fortunate based on rank and assignment.
All profits from album sales will go to support legislation for financial relief and to support PTSD advocacy. I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring awareness to these issues. I need advice and support. I am open to suggestions!
I will most likely being running another Kickstarter campaign. I have realized just how much money it takes to create a professional album. However, I am not asking for financial support with this article. I am just soliciting actionable ideas. Thanks! Please visit my Kickstarter video to meet me. The project is closed but you can get an idea of who I am.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/410520382/music-from-two-wars-a-soldiers-musical-journey
Our best to you. Do you have a Facebook page? If so, we’d love to follow your journey.