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You can adopt a soldier at Soldier's Angel Organization. The organization was started in the summer of 2003 when Army Sgt. Brandon Varn, who was stationed in Iraq, wrote to his mother, Patti Patton Baden expressing his concern about the soldiers in his unit who never received any mail.
Baden, who lives in California, decided to write a few more letters herself, and then asked friends and family to take on a soldier or two. The response was tremendous, and suddenly, a few months later, what had been a few letters grew to 50,000 members worldwide joining the program.
With more and more merchants donating services, money and items for packages, the Soldiers' Angels Foundation formed a non-profit so all donations would be tax deductible.
While deployed service members receive letters and care packages, wounded service members aren't forgotten either. The Foundation also provides transitional backpacks, personal visits and phone calls to wounded service members returning home.
More than just the soldiers receiving mail noted how vital letters and support from home were for the troops. Major General Peter Chiarelli, the former commanding officer of the 1st Calvary Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, wrote to Soldiers' Angels to thank them for their support.
"The Division enjoyed numerous successes throughout our mission in Baghdad, culminating with the historic Iraqi elections on January 30th. I am convinced these accomplishments would not have been possible without fabulous contributions such as yours. Not only were these gestures sincerely appreciated, but they rallied the morale of the soldiers, often at the most necessary times, and were absolutely critical to our mission completion. In other words, we could not have done it without you."
Part of the responsibility of being a Soldiers' Angel is to commit writing at least once a week and sending a care package once a month until the soldier returns home.
Some soldiers receive no support because their families (mom's, dad's, sisters, brothers, etc) don't support the war. But remember, they are American Troops fighting for our Freedom. Whether or not you support the president, please support the man or woman who is taking care of American Freedom.
Soldiers' Angels is also more than just about the soldier. Often the service member will ask his Soldiers' Angel to stay in touch with his wife and children to make sure they are doing all right.
The web site provides a list of suggested items to pack in a care package, items like beef jerky, Chex Mix, nuts, trail mix, Gatorade powder, toilet paper, after shave, books, magazines, water guns, and sand scarves, to name just the most popular items requested from the front lines.
No chocolate should be sent between May and September since it wouldn't survive the 130 degree temperatures. Also, there is a ban on pork, pork products, alcohol, pornography and glass containers.
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