Happy Memorial Day

For those of you who celebrate this holiday...have a great holiday weekend.  Please take the time to remember those brave souls who have served and are serving to help keep us safe.  If you are looking for a way to reach out, there are always soldiers who are looking for a pen-pal or goodies from home so that they know they are being thought of.  Keep in mind the heroes who have returned home as well, the local veteran's organizations are always in need of volunteers.  There are many lovely groups that can use helpful hands and there are plenty of people who can give you some direction.

Author Caridad Pineiro is working with the Wounded Warriors, please visit her blog at this link.

Kim at the SOS Aloha blog did a nice post about Caridad's efforts at this link.  You can also contact Kim about adopting a soldier (or three).  (And join me in thanking Kim and her family for their service)

Anysoldier.com provides sometimes heart-tugging requests from our soldiers who are often in need of just basic toiletries.  Make sure you read the FAQs and then click on the Where to Send tab to choose your recipient.

I personally have not had the best of experiences with Operation Paperback but they are a worthy organization that tries to ensure that soldiers receive the reading material that they are requesting.

Soldier's Angels has a wonderful organization that also links those of us at home with the brave soldiers who are serving around the world.  There is a minimal fee and a 'vetting' process but they offer many ways to serve, including providing hand-worked blankets, hats and scarves to those in need.

Also...this was just sent:

Hi again Volunteers!

Our own Andrea has just heard from her husband's unit ... they are
deployed to Afghanistan and desperately need twin-sized sheets.  They
say:

"Our guys downrange are in dire need of twin sized sheets! We are
looking for new or gently-used sheet sets (any pattern is fine.) We
can also accept donations of twin sized mattress protectors, or
pillow protectors. Anything you can donate will be appreciated."

If you want to help, please email me for the address.

If anyone wants more information about any of the aforementioned, please leave a comment or send me an e-mail at elewkf1@yahoo.com.

Have a wonderful weekend!