Community Support for our Military

It's always gratifying to see individuals and organizations in the community who make things available to members of our military and their families. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads is partnering with The Military Newspapers of VA, The Virginia Pilot, The Flagship and Grand Furniture to provide a $10,000 Military Home Makeover. No, there's no catch. Anyone can go to www.flagshipnews.com/home_makeover/ and they can nominate an active duty service member or military retiree residing in Hampton Roads. The deadline to submit entries is Veteran's Day, November 11, 2009. The winning family will receive $10,000 in home furnishing of their choice from Grand Furniture.

Other local business support our military in other ways. For instance, Cook's Moving and Storage Company has donated their box at the Norfolk Admiral's game on Friday, October 23rd. 8 sailors from the recently returned USS Bainbridge will be guests of Cook's Moving and Storage and Operation Homefront Hampton Roads. What an easy way to say thanks to our military for their service and sacrifice. Earlier this summer, the Oriole's Reach Program donated 45 and Bank of America donated 35 tickets each to the Norfolk Tides season of games.

Do you have frequent flyer miles you'd be willing to donate to a service member or family who needs to pay for emergency travel? How about seats at a local event or activity you are unable to attend...hockey, baseball, theatre, Norfolk Zoo, VA Living Museum, or a local concert? Whether it's one ticket or more, having these items available to our military members is one more way of "giving back" and saying Thank you for All that You Do to keep us free!

What are other ways you can support our military? If you have furnishings or small appliances you are replacing and they are in a gently used condition, there are always military families who are in need of extra items for their home. Maybe you are moving and have some canned goods or non-perishable food items you would like to donate to the Operation Homefront Hampton Roads Food Pantry. How about a $25 gift card to Food Lion or Farm Fresh? These gift cards are given to military families who may struggle one month due to bills or pay issues and they have a need for a helping hand. If you are a service provider, maybe you can consider offering a portion of your services to a military family in need. It doesn't take much...maybe a discount on labor, parts only or event a pro bono service if the opportunity presents itself. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads can use these discounts to save the cash for emergency financial assistance where there are no discounts on service or labor available. Would you like to
Adopt-A-Family for the holidays? We have families in need of support.

Are you looking for a way to give back, we need volunteers. We are specifically interested in volunteers who are interested in helping with our coordination and implementation of special events. Do you enjoy Comedy Clubs? We have an event on Nov. 12th at Cozzy's and need volunteers. How about Holiday events? We're gearing up for Operation Christmas and we will be collecting and distributing toys all over the chapter jurisdiction to brighten the holidays for our military families. Come spring we will be scheduling our 5K Run for the Homefront and as always, our premier event Freedom Walk 2010. It's never too early to join our Special Events Team.

Have you got an idea on what we can do to help our military and their families? Let us know! We can use your ideas and your help to go that extra mile to make life "Here on the Homefront " better for those we serve.