How YOU can Support U.S. Troops

"Help Our Troops Call Home"
The Red Cross has partnered with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to offer Americans a way to support our troops serving overseas. The Help Our Troops Call Home Program allows people to purchase a Military Exchange Prepaid Phone Card for U.S. troops stationed overseas. The program makes it easy for deployed military members to call home and stay in touch with family and friends. Hearing a familiar voice is one of the best ways to boost morale and feeling of well being for our troops.

This initiative offers phone cards that do not expire and do not add any additional charges or connection fees. Each card costs $39 and provides more than two hours of call time from call center locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Cards can be sent to "any service member" who is deployed or hospitalized. Charitable partners, including the Red Cross, USO, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House, distribute the cards earmarked for "any service member."

Though the cards are widely sold by other retailers, AAFES offers the best value with lower rates and connection charges. To order the 550-Unit Military Exchange Prepaid Phone Card, visit the AAFES Web site  https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx or call 800-527-2345.

"Gifts from the Homefront"
Last year the Red Cross partnered with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) for another program, "Gifts from the Homefront." The program allows service members to purchase convenience items as well as necessities at PX and BX facilities around the world.

"Gifts from the Homefront" is a safe alternative to traditional care packages that place unnecessary strain on the military mail system or jeopardize security. The certificates can be used for merchandise already stocked at any AAFES facility around the world, including more than 50 stores throughout central and southwest Asia.

"Gifts from the Homefront" certificates can be purchased from AAFES by friends and families or groups and addressed to "any service member." Charitable partners including the Red Cross, USO, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House then distribute the certificates. To order the certificates,  call 877-770-4438.

Nextel DONATE A PHONE^®
Nextel sponsors a unique program in support of the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services entitled DONATE A PHONE^®. This program is a simple way for Americans to support military members and their families by donating their old wireless phones. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) Wireless Foundation, the philanthropic organization for the nation's wireless industry and the creator of the DONATE A PHONE^® program, estimates that approximately 30 million old wireless phones lay idle in American homes and businesses.

Americans can participate in the program by taking their old wireless phones from any manufacturer to any one of Nextel's 700 retail stores. After recycling and refurbishing the phones, Nextel will donate the net proceeds of the resale value, which averages $1.90 for each phone collected, to American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services, the arm of the organization that supports members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

Financial Donations
Your community members may make a financial donation to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services or to your local Red Cross chapter to support outreach to active duty military service members, Reservists, National Guardsmen and their families.

Support Families at Home
Support military families at home by providing gift cards, movie passes and other items to help ease the strain of long separation.

Operation Dear Abby
Dear Abby, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of the Navy's LifeLines2000 Services Network in association with SPAWAR SCC (National Capital Region) provides a private and secure online resource that will allow people to send a sailor, marine, soldier, airman, or coast guardsman a holiday greeting or message of support.

Let’s Say Thanks – sponsored by Xerox

You can pick out a thank you postcard on this website: www.letssaythanks.com, add your own personalized message and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a serviceman or servicewoman who is serving overseas. The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.

This is a free service. All you have to do is click on your favorite design and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note. The postcards are then printed by Xerox and mailed in care packages by military support organization Give2TheTroops^®.

Donate Blood
All eligible donors are encouraged to give blood as often as possible since blood is a perishable resource and must be replenished through regular donation. It has to be available, on the shelves, when and where it's needed in anticipation of patient need. To be eligible to donate blood you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and able to pass a general health questionnaire.

The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula does NOT offer blood services in its jurisdiction of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Please contact the Blood Bank of Delmarva at www.delmarvablood.org or call (302) 737-8405 (Toll free: 1-888-825-6638)

Become a Community Volunteer
Visit Veterans Administration Hospitals and nursing homes or coach children's sports teams, feed the homeless or volunteer for other community outreach programs. Many military service members who normally perform these activities are on deployment and there is no one to take their place.