Hero Miles (Fisher House Foundation): Hero Miles provides free airline tickets to military men and women who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center incident to their service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and their families. Hero Miles had provided more than 25,000 tickets to Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom hospitalized service members and their families, worth over $42 million. You can donate your unused airline miles and learn more about Hero Miles at: www.fisherhouse.org/programs/
Operation Ward 57: Operation Ward 57 is a non-profit organization supporting our hero wounded soldiers, their loved ones & family members as well as those that aid in their recovery. By providing items that assist in recovery, maintenance and morale of the hospital environment and through advocacy, education and promotion of their circumstances. To learn how you can help Operation Ward 57 be sure to check their website at www.facebook.com/OperationWard57
Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP seeks to assist those men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations around the world. To learn more about WWP and how you can help our warriors check their website at: www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Veterans Airlift Command: The Veterans Airlift Command provides free air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. You can learn more about VAC at: www.veteransairlift.org/
iPads for Soldiers: iPads for Soldiers is a charitable fund-raising operation, collecting donations to purchase iPads for US soldiers serving in Afghanistan as well as Wounded Warriors. To find out how you can help please visit their website at: www.ipadsforsoldiers.org/
Aleethia Foundation: The Aleethia Foundation supports the newly injured service members with short-term therapeutic recreation, small financial grants, family emergency aid, home improvements to assist with an injured service member's mobility and other unmet needs. The Aleethia Foundation plans events such as dinners, movies and sightseeing for newly injured troops to get out of the hospital environment occasionally. You can learn more about The Aleethia Foundation and how you can help at: http://www.aleethia.org/
Yellow Ribbon Fund: Yellow Ribbon Fund provides free rental cars, hotel room nights; and housing for Wounded Warriors. Free tickets to sporting games, concerts and plays, and hundreds of lunches, dinners and other activities. To find out you can help please visit their website at: www.yellowribbonfund.org/
Help Our Military Heroes (HOMH): HOMH is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the military wounded with fully equipped handicapped vehicles. HOMH is donation-driven with 100% of funding going toward purchasing special-needs vehicles and awarding them to military heroes in need. HOMH recognizes that every case is different and works with each individual in need to modify a vehicle specific to his or her injuries. To learn more on how you can help HOMH please visit their website at: www.helpourmilitaryheroes.org/
Operation Second Chance: Operation Second Chance provides aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded service men and women.To assist in the modification of housing to accommodate disabled veterans.To assist the families of wounded service men and women.To facilitate the transition of wounded service men and women back into civilian society. To learn more about Operation Second Chance visit their website at: www.operationsecondchance.org/
Operation First Reponse: Operation First Response is a non profit helping support our wounded HEROES and their familie with personal, financial, and emotional needs. To find out more and find out how you can help please visit their website at: www.operationfirstresponse.org/
Operation Troop Aid: Operation Troop Aid is a non profit organization who sends Care Packages to our troops over seas. To find out how you can help with these packages go to: www.operationtroopaid.org/
Adopt a Solider: One great organization is headed by Alan Krutchkoff. This group adopts platoons who are deployed and sends care packages. They even recently made a visit to Kuwait and brought Christmas trees, packages, and Washington Red Skins cheerleaders. Alan and company has also been to visit Derek and arranged to have him sent some goodies from sports teams and his favorite people (i.e. Chuck Lidell). www.adoptasoldierplatoon.org/
Soldiers Angels: This group supports all branches of the military. They provide aid and comfort to deployed, stateside and wounded warriors. They have blankets, canes, baked goods, care packages, etc. SA even brought Derek a computer! It's a really nice one, too. www.soldiersangels.org/
Hugs for Heroes: This group sends care packages to our deployed military. Their packages contain enough items for everyone in the unit, and according to their website, they have shipped more than 8 tons of goods! www.hugsforheroes.org/
USO: The USO has been around for generations, providing support and encouragement to our men and women in uniform, deployed, stateside and wounded. www.uso.org/
Our Military Kids: This wonderful group concentrates on our children. Children of deployed reservists and wounded warriors are given grants (sports, fine arts, camps and tutoring), care packages, and support while they deal with either a parent who is away or a parent who has been wounded. www.ourmilitarykids.org/
Tunnel to Towers: This group is near and dear to my heart. This is based on the firefighter who ran through the tunnel to get to the World Trade Center on 9/11. Each year they sponsor a run that copies what Stephen Siller did on that fateful day. They are now building homes for quad and triple amputees. www.tunneltotowersrun.org/
Gary Sinise: His foundation helps vets and first responders. www.garysinisefoundation.org/
Operation Gratitude: Care packages for deployed! www.facebook.com/OperationGratitude
