There are several areas where you could support the wounded veterans and their families. You could:

Work with your friends/family and neighbors to solicit gift cards or American express gift cards for families to be used at local stores such as:

a.       Target

b.      Wal-Mart

c.       Giant or Safe Way or other grocery stores

d.      Restaurants

That way the wounded veterans and or their families can purchase items that they need.

Volunteer at the Fisher House or a local VA medical facility. These organizations can use additional personnel to help manage and operate facilities.

Many of these wounded veterans have young families and you and your family and friends could collect baby disposables such as:

1.      Diapers - Pampers or Swaddlers sizes 1 - 4

2.      Baby Onesies

3.      New infant and baby clothes up to the toddler age

4.      Baby formula = Enfamil Lacto free Formula, Enfamil Lipil or Similac Advanced with Iron

Another item to consider is to collect funds for phone cards so that these young men and women veterans can keep in touch with their family and friends. The phone cards can be for any length of time.  A half hour is a good minimum though.  You maybe able to find phone cards for 2 ½ hours for approximately $10. 

Other items that could be used are:

New Sweatsuits: small through extra large to be used by veterans in physical therapy
New Athletic Shoes: men sizes 9-12, women's 6-9 again to be used by veterans in physical therapy
New Men's & women's fall & winter jackets medium through extra large 
New Ruck sacks, gym bags, and small suitcases for clothing storage 
New DVD's movies to put in hospital wards so they can watch movies

You could also work with you local publicity organizations such as radio, newspapers, veterans of foreign wars (VFW), American legions, or any other veteran organizations to raise awareness and funds for the Fisher House Foundation. Or you and family and friends could collect donations and prepare care packages on an ongoing basis for our veterans and send the care packages to Fisher Houses or VA centers such as the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) or the Bethesda Medical Center here in Maryland.

Lastly please send letters of support, get well cards, thinking of you etc. to our veterans who are in Fisher Houses, hospitals or overseas locations. A letter or card is always welcomed. I remember receiving letters from family and friends when I was in Viet Nam and it always allowed me to stay connected with others at home in the United States.

A Successful Example