Worthy Causes: Soldier's Angels 
by Greta Perry
U.S. soldiers—they’re on the news every day, touching hearts and saving lives with their unselfish commitment to freedom. Seeing them stirs our compassion and inspires our support and gratitude. As Community Team Leader for Soldiers’ Angels in Louisiana, I constantly meet caring citizens who ask me how they can help our troops. My immediate response? Soldiers’ Angels.
A 501(c)3 non-profit and all-volunteer organization, Soldiers’ Angels is the brainchild of Patti Patton-Bader, who founded the group in response to requests for more mail and packages from her son, a deployed soldier.
To date, Soldiers’ Angels has about 30,000 members and uses almost all donations to directly help soldiers and their families. Speaking as an actively involved military spouse for many years, I have been exposed to a multitude of military charities, but until I became a part of Soldiers’ Angels, I have never felt so strongly about a mission.
Last year, Soldiers’ Angels Project Valour-IT raised money through a blogging competition that divided blog teams among the armed forces. This year, Project Valour-IT is providing voice-over activated laptops to wounded soldiers, helping them regain part of their independence. The cost of each computer is $800, with 100 percent of donations dedicated to the cost of the computer. (I was fortunate enough to be at Walter Reed Army Medical Center this year as soldiers received their requested laptops. Amazing!)
With the ongoing deployment of soldiers who sacrifice their family time and put their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans need to continue to support our military and their families. For Louisiana residents, especially those who benefited from the generosity of others following Hurricane Katrina, Soldiers’ Angels provides an excellent opportunity to show the world we are ready to give back and become “the pay-it-forward” state. I encourage individuals, families, schools, Sunday Schools, places of worship, clubs, local charities and Scout troops to start doing something today!
OUR soldiers. Now—more than ever—we need to show them how much we care.
Soldiers’ Angels encourages people to choose a program that best suits them. A team leader is provided for guidance and support.
Examples of projects for individuals or groups are:
• Adopting a soldier. Requires one letter a week and 1-2 packages—they don’t have to be expensive—a month for the length of the soldier’s deployment (6-12 months).
• Knitting, crocheting, baking, sewing.
• Attending any type of military- or veteran-sponsored event.
• Organizing events to foster awareness of Soldiers’ Angels.
• Sending Christmas cards and other holiday cards throughout the year.
Support the troops!
Where there’s a will there’s a way. If you have the will to help our soldiers, here are other sources that offer you opportunities to show your support for our troops.
sewmuchcomfort.org
Special clothing for wounded soldiers.
bluestarmoms.net
Louisiana moms of service men/women.
anysoldier.com
Packages and letters.
fisherhouse.org
Enables family members to be near their loved ones when they’re injured or sick. Also supported at soldeirsangels.org.
louisianavfw.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
operationiraqichildren.org
School supplies for Iraqi children.
aleethia.org
Grants for families of wounded soldiers.
runforthewarriors.org
Projects to help the wounded.
adoptaplatoon.org
Care packages.
americanwarheroes.org
Helps injured heroes.
americasupportsyou.mil
DOD-run help for soldiers.
serviceflags.com
Different types of merchandise.
honorthefallen.org/store-black2.shtml
Silicone bracelets.
keystonesoldiers.com
Support those on the frontline.
amillionthanks.org
Send thank you notes to the troops.
avdlm.com
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.
operationgive.org
Sends toys to Iraqi children.
freedomcalls.org
Help the troops call home.
saveourvets.com
Supports veterans trying to access help through VA system.
For more information, go to http://soldiersangels.org. Those interested in becoming part of Soldiers’ Angels may contact gretaperry@gmail.com or (985) 807-4805.
