What's New
Mar 18, 2008 - Economic Stimulus Payments for veterans and their families information
March 29/31, 2008 - Operation Welcome Home: Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch is honored to host a retreat for returning OIF/OEF veterans.
Aug 1, 2007 - LinkVet goes live: your link to experts!
Various national organizations providing support to military families.
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)
The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the United States Air Force incorporated in 1942 as a non-profit organization whose mission is to help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them in financing their higher education goals.
Active duty and retired Air Force members and their dependents are eligible for AFAS assistance, as are the dependents of deceased Air Force personnel who died on active duty or in retired status. Air National Guard and Air Force Reservists are eligible when serving on extended active duty 15 days or more under Title 10, U.S. Code. Title 32 AGR are now eligible for emergency travel due to the serious illness or death of an immediate family member and AFAS will consider other unique requests on a case by case basis.
Any Soldier
AnySoldier.com features emails from different military personnel regarding the type of support needed in the field. The support could be in the form of a simple letter or package, or it could toiletries, food or even newspapers and magazines. Donors address their letters and packages to the writer’s name, but also add the words “ATTN: Any Soldier” on the second line. The writer shares the mail with fellow servicemen and women. If there is “Any Soldier” who is not receiving a lot of mail from home, that soldier will be the first person to receive the letter.
www.AnySoldier.com
www.AnyMarine.com
www.AnySailor.com
www.AnyAirman.com
www.AnyCoastGuard.com
American Red Cross - Armed Forces Emergency Services
The Red Cross keeps military personnel in touch with their family following the death or serious illness of a family member or the birth of a child, or in response to other family emergencies. Red Cross emergency messages provide military personnel and their commanders with fast, reliable information to help them make decisions regarding emergency leave, deferment, compassionate reassignment, and dependency discharge.
www.carvercountyredcross.org/ArmedForces.htm - Carver County
www.cenmnredcross.org/index.php?pr=Armed_Forces_-_AFES - Central Minnesota (St. Cloud)
www.douglasarc-mn.org - Douglas County
www.redcrossnorthland.org/armedForces.htm - Duluth
www.grandforksredcross.org/index.php?pr=Military_Services - East Grand Forks
www.goodhueredcross.org - Goodhue County
www.lyoncountyredcross.org - Lyon and Lincoln County
www.mcleodredcross.org/serv03.htm - McLeod County
mowercounty.redcross.org/AFES/Homepage1-afes.htm - Mower County
www.northstar-redcross.org/afes/ - North Star Chapter (Bemidji)
www.rlsredcross.org/milfamilies.html - Rice and LeSueur County
www.southcentralmn.redcross.org/index.php?pr=Armed_Forces_-_AFES - South Central Minnesota (Mankato)
www.redcross-semn.org - Southeast Minnesota (Rochester)
www.scvarc.org/AFES/AFES.htm - St. Croix Valley (Bayport)
www.steeleredcross.org/SteeleCountyRedCross/AFES.html - Steele County
www.redcrosstc.org/help_military.cfm - Twin Cities
wccarc.4mg.com/page4.html - Waseca County
www.winonacountyredcross.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5button=8348&categoryID=3136 - Winona County
www.redcross.org/services/afes/0,1082,0_321_,00.html - National website
Armed Forces Relief Trust
The mission of the Armed Forces Relief Trust is to assist the military aid societies by providing a single vehicle to accept donations that will benefit the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families. Examples of such assistance may include payment for a soldier's airfare to fly home for his father's funeral, a special reading program for a sailor's daughter, special medical attention for a pilot's expectant spouse, or college tuition for a soldier's child.
With the generous support of the National Association of Broadcasters, the four Military Aid Societies — Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society — have come together to address these escalating needs by creating The Armed Forces Relief Trust — a single, non-profit fund to better collect and disburse donations in support of the troops and their families in need.
Armed Forces Services Corporation (AFSC)
Access to a team of qualified professionals, dedicated to providing you and your family personalized assistance. Additionally, we make sure that if something happens to you, your family receives their survivor benefits as soon as possible. We assist the surviving spouse in completing and submitting the paperwork for their government benefits and life insurance. As knowledgeable authorities on the latest developments in all your government benefits, we stand by your dependents for life, to ensure no benefits are overlooked.
Note: A membership fee exists for this organization
Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association
There is more to protecting your family against loss of life than just life insurance. AAFMAA is a member-owned, non-profit association, providing life insurance and Survivor Assistance Services to Army and Air Force service members and their families. We exist to serve our members with very low-cost life insurance, and assist their survivors in receiving the benefits they are entitled to from insurance claims and government benefits.
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
AER is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to "Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own". AER provides commanders a valuable asset in accomplishing their basic command responsibility for the morale and welfare of soldiers.
AER funds are made available to commanders having AER Sections to provide emergency financial assistance to soldiers - active & retired - and their dependents when there is a valid need.
Blinded Veterans Association
Promote the welfare of blinded veterans so that, notwithstanding their disabilities, they may take their rightful place in the community and work with their fellow citizens toward the creation of a peaceful world. If you are a blind or visually impaired veteran, if you are a relative or a friend or if you just want to get involved, write, email or give us a call. We are the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), an organization specifically established to promote the welfare of blinded veterans. We are here to help veterans and their families meet the challenges of blindness.
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
We are the mothers, fathers, spouses, grandparents, siblings, family and friends who have or have had someone serving in the military. We are a non-profit service organization supporting each other and our loved ones. We are a group who promotes patriotism. We are recognized under the Congressional Charter. We are the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. whose members hang blue stars in their windows whenever their children or spouses join the armed forces, especially during war time.
Minnesota websites - www.mnbluestarmothers.org and www.bluestarmothers.org/mn.php
National website - www.bluestarmothers.org
Cell Phones for Soldiers
They hope to provide as many soldiers as possible with prepaid calling cards for now with an ultimate goal of providing banks of satellite phones, video phones and VOIP communications. Through generous donations and the recycling of used cell phones from drop-off sites across the country, they have already distributed thousands of calling cards to soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Child Care Assistance for families of severely injured military families
NACCCRA and the Department of Defense (DOD) have partnered to provide families of severely injured military members with assistance to find and pay for safe, licensed child care services for a period of six months during their period of recuperation. (Extensions beyond the 6-month period will be considered based upon physician reassessment.) The program is available nationwide wherever the injured member is receiving either in-patient or out-patient medical care.
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
Founded in 2004 the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is partnering with corporate sponsors, individual contributors, and volunteers to provide an easy and meaningful way for individuals and corporations to help these veterans and their families rebuild their lives. You can help by means of direct tax-deductible donations, participating in programs that raise money, giving your time, as well as corporate sponsorships. Ninety-one percent of all money contributed goes directly to service-members and their families. And because we verify our eligibility requirements with the Department of Defense, incidences of fraud are rare to non-existent.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is a non-profit organization providing financial assistance to the Coast Guard community. The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance offers aid to the entire Coast Guard family; active duty and retired military personnel, civilian employees, commissioned officers of the Public Health Service serving with the Coast Guard, Reservists, Auxiliarists, and their families.
Field Problems
Providing real answers to issues of today's Army families. Making its debut in June 2006, Field Problems™ is a question and answer column geared toward empowering Army, National Guard, and Reserve spouses and families by providing real answers to common issues. Solving the problems of Army families where it matters most...in the field.
Fisher House™
The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. Based on a comparison of fees at a Fisher House™ (the average charge is less than $10 per family per day, with many locations offering rooms at no cost) with commercial lodging facilities in the same area, it is estimated that families have saved more than $60 million by staying at a Fisher House™ since the program began.
www.fisherhouse.org/theHouses/minnesota.shtml - Minneapolis VA Medical Center house
Gold Star Wives of America
An organization of military widows/widowers whose spouse died while on active duty or from service connected disabilities. This military survivors organization has been serving war widows from all conflicts and service connected disabilities since it was founded in 1945.
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
The Fund previously provided unrestricted grants to the families of those who were lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2000 they have given out over $14 million to military families. New legislation enacted in May 2005 has significantly increased the death gratuity and the Service Members Group Life Insurance support to these families. At that time the Fund redirected its efforts to support the catastrophically disabled military personnel and their families.
Enduring Freedom KIA Fund
Upon application to our organization, and on verification of a death certificate, emergency financial assistance will be provided to widows and widowers of United States military personnel killed in an action performed under the umbrella of Operation Enduring Freedom in a foreign country. The monetary assistance will not be a loan. The assistance will be in the form of a cash grant to those who qualify to the criteria in our policy. There will be first time cash awards to K.I.A. widows and widowers, and in the future, as our available funds grow, there will be additional cash added to the original awards. The board will also consider emergency appeals and hardship cases such as, but not limited to, a K.I.A. widow with a significant number of dependent children.
LIFELines Services Network (LSN)
A focus on the delivery of Quality of Life information and services to Active and Reserve Marines, Sailors, and family members.
Marine Corps Community Services - Family Life
Being married to a Marine is said to be the toughest job in the Corps. To help meet the demands of the challenging lifestyle that our families experience everyday, MCCS offers a variety of programs that help build strong families.
MilitaryHOMEFRONT
An official Department of Defense web site for reliable Quality of Life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need!
Military Money
An authoritative financial resource for military families and help ensure the fighting readiness of America’s armed forces by enhancing their financial readiness to make informed decisions in their everyday lives.
Military OneSource
Whether its help with child care, personal finances, emotional support during deployments, relocation information, or resources needed for special circumstances, Military OneSource is there for military personnel and their families...24/7/365! The service is available by phone, online and face-to-face through private counseling sessions in the local community. Highly qualified, master’s prepared consultants provide the service. The interactive Web site includes locators for education, child care, and elder care, online articles, referrals to military and community resources, financial calculators, live online workshops called Webinars, and "Email a consultant." Additional resources include brief videos of consultants addressing common issues such as communicating as a couple, budgeting and managing anger.
No questions too small or issue to large!
Military Sentinel
A project of the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Defense to identify and target consumer protection issues that affect members of the United States Armed Forces and their families.
Military Sentinel allows members of the United States Armed Forces to enter consumer complaints directly into a database that is immediately accessible by over 500 law enforcement organizations throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. These law enforcement agencies use this complaint data to target cases for prosecution and other enforcement measures. The information from Military Sentinel can also be used by members of the JAG staff and others in the Department of Defense to help protect armed services members and their families from consumer protection-related problems.
Military Severely Injured Center
Prepare severely injured Service members to return to duty or to reintegrate successfully into their home towns. Ensure that all severely injured Service members and their families receive the necessary support. A grateful nation will honor our heroes' service and stand with them.
To provide personalized assistance, tailored to meet an individual's unique needs during recovery and rehabilitation, to include:
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/itc/MHF/MHF_HOME_1?section_id=20.40.500.393.0.0.0.0.0
- Medical care & rehabilitation
- Education, training and job placement
- Personal mobility and functioning
- Home, transportation and workplace accommodations
- Personal, couple and family issues counseling
- Financial resources
Military Spouse Magazine
Military Spouse magazine addresses the unique needs and interests of over 1.1 million spouses of active duty and reserve troops. These spouses, 92% of whom are women, serve as the anchors for their families. As a military spouse, family separation becomes an unwelcome fact of life. As a result, military spouses become independent and strong. They tend to bond tightly with fellow military spouses who share their unique lifestyle. They are truly The Force Behind the Force.
Military Wives and Moms
This is a challenging time for us all. Our desire is to help "carry each other's burdens" (Galatians 6:2) and to be a source of comfort, support, encouragement and inspiration as we walk united through the days ahead. This site was originated and is hosted by a current military wife and a former military wife who is now a military mom.
Military, Veteran and Family Assistance Foundation (MVFA)
Provides services and resources beyond the budgetary and mission capabilities of the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other National, State and Local veterans’ agencies. MVFA serves the military, veterans and families affected by war and acts of terrorism by providing funding, in-kind referrals and other resources towards the treatment of the physical, social, emotional, spiritual and economic needs of soldiers, veterans and their families through the use of integrative and alternative health care combined in a holistic, family-based approach. MVFA’s focus is to supplement medical care, services and resources that support and enhance health, wellness, and quality of life for military service members, veterans and their families.
The Phoenix Project Soldiers and Veterans Transitional Retreat is designed for those who served in the military and have been affected by war and terrorism. It incorporates information and training regarding the return from combat deployment and reintegration into the family and community. In addition, it provides relaxation and the opportunity for couples to regroup and reconnect after separation due to their service in combat zones. There is no cost to deployed service members or combat veterans and their spouse. Travel (air fare and ground transportation), lodging and meals are paid through private donations to the Military, Veteran and Family Assistance Foundation.
MilSouse.org
MilSpouse.org is your resource library for military spouse employment, education and relocation information. Here you will find thousands of links to employment related information and other resources for military spouses and military families.
National Military Family Association
To educate military families concerning their rights, benefits and services available to them and to inform them regarding the issues that affect their lives and to promote and protect the interests of military families by influencing the development and implementation of legislation and policies affecting them.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Founded in 1904, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a private non-profit charitable organization. It is sponsored by the Department of the Navy and operates nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the world. The mission of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs.
Operation Child Care (OCC)
A voluntary program designed to support the short-term child care needs of National Guard and Reserve members in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. Dedicated child care providers from across the country pledged their support to Service Members returning home for rest and recuperation leave by donating a minimum of four hours of child care services. Their volunteer time allows service members to take care of family business, take a spouse out to dinner, and reconnect with family members.
Operation Ensuring Christmas
Operation Ensuring Christmas provides financial, moral and rehabilitative support to the Children of Fallen American Troops by providing them Christmas Gift Cards during the holidays and a 'Christmas in July' VIP theme park vacation in Orlando, Florida. This support is a token of our respectful appreciation for their sacrifice and to help them recover from the grief and trauma caused by the loss of a parent in war.
Operation Ensuring Christmas was formed with the express purpose of bringing a little extra joy to children who have lost a parent in service to our nation in a time of war. For many of these children it will be their first Christmas without a father or mother.
Operation First Response (OFR)
To assist the wounded military and their families with personal and financial needs who are serving our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom and forward. OFR sends backpacks (OFR backpacks) filled with a t-shirt, boxer shorts, sweat pants or shorts, socks, and a complete array of hygiene items (all hygiene items should be travel size) along with a handmade lap quilt in each OFR backpack. OFR backpacks are sent to the combat support hospitals (CHS) in Iraq, Landstuhl Army Medical Hospital in Germany, and other locations when contacted by military liaisons that are in need of our service. OFR asks for donated airline miles from the public to make it possible to provide family members and wounded heroes airline flights. OFR uses donations to pay for transportation for wounded heroes and their families to and from the airport (most times in the DC area).
Operation Homefront
A national nonprofit that provides emergency support and morale to our military troops, the families they leave behind during deployment and wounded warriors when they return home. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has provided critical assistance to more than 40,000 military families in need. Our goal is to expand assistance to an additional 15,000 families in 2006.
Operation: Military Child Care (OMCC)
Provide child care fee assistance for National Guard and Reserve who are activated or deployed and whose children are enrolled in non-DoD licensed child care programs. Also provide child care fee assistance for deployed, Active-Duty Military (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force) whose children are enrolled in non-DoD-licensed child care programs.
Families/legal guardians of the children of National Guard & Reserve Service Members who are currently activated/deployed are eligible. Families/legal guardians of the children of deployed Active Duty Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen who are unable to access child care on military installations are eligible.
Operation Military Pride
Operation Military Pride is a volunteer organization with a wide range of activities - all of which are to boost the morale of our troops deployed overseas. We not only send cards, letters, and care packages ourselves, but also distribute troop names and addresses to patriots wanting to send directly to the troops. We are one of the very few groups that allow direct contact with a service member, eliminating the "middle man" and expenses.
Our Hero Handbook
Our Hero Handbook is an excellent resource designed to help the family members of our wounded Soldiers. That very special population includes many family members who have little or no prior experience with the US military, and who need support and guidance as they directly help our wounded Soldiers. The handbook offers many ways to deal with the often long road to recovery of our Soldiers - from all services - who will need the loving and informed support of their families.
Our Hero Handbook (PDF) or www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil (Select Heroes to Hometowns on the left menu and then Hero Handbook).
Snowball Express
In December 2006, Southwest Airlines, Oakley, Quiksilver, Panda Express, Taco Bell, Starwood, Marriott, Best Western, Disneyland and countless other partners and sponsors, combined with Rotary volunteers in Southern California and all across America helped create what was the largest single gathering for the families of our fallen warriors ever held.
The project is designed to help single mothers and single fathers pick up the pieces. To help them get on with their lives. These people died as Americans. Let’s step up as Americans and help their families. They deserve no less.
Specially Adapted Housing Program
Veterans that have a specific service connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the purpose of constructing an adapted dwelling of modifying an existing to meet the veterans needs. The goal of the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH)Program is to provide a barrier-free living environment which affords the veterans a level of independent living he or she may not normally enjoy.
Part I, the Specially Adapted Housing Grant is available to disabled veterans who are entitled a wheelchair accessible home especially adapted for their needs. Part II, the Special Home Adaptations Grant is available to veterans who are entitled to adaptation because of blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or includes the anatomical loss of both hands.
Strong Bonds
Recognizing the importance of family support, the Army introduced the program Building Strong and Ready Families in 1997. The program’s success has led to increased funding, expansion Army-wide, and more training options. New programs now meet Soldiers at different phases of the relationship cycle. Specific training is offered for the Single Soldier, Couples, Families with children, and all Soldiers and families facing deployment. Strong Bonds is fully-funded and Chaplain-led with the support of the Commanding Officer.
Survivor Assistance
The Casualty Assistance Calls Program provides services and support to military families whose loved one is deceased, unaccounted for, or missing. The Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) acts on behalf of the Services in assisting survivors of active duty Service members from the death notification to assistance with coordinating funeral arrangements to applying for benefits and entitlements.
CACOs are trained to answer general questions about benefits or entitlements and assist the next of kin in contacting designated experts who more appropriately explain the specific administrative requirements or benefits authorization directly to the family. Each Service's Casualty Assistance Program provides specific information and support to include:
- Death Gratuity
- Servicemembers Groups Life Insurance (SGLI)
- Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP)
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
- Social Security Payments
- Military Funeral Honors
United Service Organizations (USO)
The USO's mission is to support service members and their families. With more than 130 centers worldwide and numerous programs, the USO aims to alleviate some of the stresses and burdens placed upon military families. The USO also has a wide range of family services to provide guidance and support. Programs and services include: USO Centers; Emergency Assistance; Support Groups; Nursery Facilities; New Spouse Orientation.
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.
Veterans’ Widows International Network, Inc. (VWIN)
We are an organization consisting of Veterans’ Widows (Survivors), reaching out to other Veterans’ Survivors across the United States and overseas. VWIN’s long-range goal to bring the United States Congress to make the decision to pass a Bill that would prompt the creation of a VA office solely dedicated to handle Veterans’ Survivors benefit inquiries is still fist on our list. And we can report here that we are getting closer to the post-line.
VWIN continues to help those qualified Survivors who call for advice on how to obtain due benefits which have been denied them time and time again. Keep in mind, VWIN is here to listen to your problems and perhaps help you find a way to solve them.
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