Even children are taking time out of their day to support our troops. Parents and teachers alike are encouraging young kids to write heartfelt — and often accidentally hilarious — letters to active military members and veterans. “Thanks for protecting our country. [You] must be very brave joining the military. They say a man looks handsome in uniform. My favorite food is chicken wings, and I like to hang out with my friends,” one letter, written by a young girl, begins.
Believe it or not, parents — and other adults — can learn from kids’ letters. The letters teach adults an invaluable lesson: giving back to our troops and helping military families does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. Here are some simple ways you can help:
Don’t Wait For People To Ask
Self-sufficiency is, up to a point, ingrained in our culture. Asking for help can be humiliating or awkward. Take the pressure off! Proactively offer to help military husbands and wives. Draw up creative coupons offering, “two hours of lawn mowing,” “a night of babysitting,” or “two hours help with household chores,” one military mom suggests. Arrange the coupons in gift baskets, and give them as birthday presents or Christmas presents.
Donate Clothes Without Leaving Home
Time is not an excuse. In fact, it is more than possible to support our troops on an extremely busy schedule. How? Plenty of charities pick up clothing donations and other military donations directly from Americans’ homes. Look online to find one in your local area. Also consider donating to charities that pick up items from convenient communal locations, such as office buildings, schools, and churches.
Get Everyone In On It
Invite friends and family to help you! Bring people together to organize a group event, such as a pancake breakfast, potluck dinner, or barbecue. Making it a group effort should help prevent the brunt of the burden or responsibility from falling onto any one person’s shoulders.
You can support our troops — even on a tight schedule and with a modest budget. Contribute military donations straight from home, organize an inexpensive group event benefiting U.S. soldiers, or offer to help military husbands and wives around the house.
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