How to Send Gifts to the Army
Many U.S. Army personnel are currently deployed, or facing deployment for the first, second or third times. While these soldiers are a brave and strong lot, so many of them are young, and do not have to reach too far into their memories to recall days when they were surrounded by home and family. Worry, longing and loneliness often plague these men and women during down-time. There are many ways for civilians to support the Army, its soldiers and their families.
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Instructions
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Financial Support
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Research your options on gifts to the Army though its list of FAQs online. After you have decided what works best for you, contact that program's Army Gift Program Coordinator through the website for directions.
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Explore other websites, such as Troops Support. This site has links to many organizations that offer financial and other support.
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Investigate the organization through which you are donating for legitimacy. Take time to seek out what groups and individuals have to say about it. Interface with a representative of the organization to get a feel for what his group does. Make sure he gives you specific answers and references.
Care Packages
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Send a care package instead of money. Contact a local National Guard unit to see exactly how you can help. During an extended deployment, the need is often most grave on the home front, and can be as basic as diapers. Ask about delivery, as well.
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Purchase the requested items, keeping their final destination in mind. If the care packages will be traveling a long distance, make sure you send non-perishable food and other gifts that will not break if dropped. Also, if the need is specific, the response should be specific.
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Package and ship the items according to the guidelines given at the time of your inquiry. Double-check the address no matter where you are shipping the package. If your gift is for a local family with a deployed soldier, it is generally preferred that you drop it off at the armory so the military can deliver it.
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Tips & Warnings
By law, the Army must direct 100 percent of a contributor's gift to the intended recipient. These gifts are tax deductible as long as the gift is used for public purposes and not for a particular individual. The Army suggests directing your questions about tax deductible gifts to your tax advisor.
Do not send anything even illegal or questionable.
Do not send political propaganda.
