Homefront Help

The Operation American Dream contest sponsored by Signal 88 Security is taking a veteran “From Battlefield to Boss” by offering start-up money for an entrepreneurial venture. Each month through May 15, eligible veterans can submit a 500-word essay on why they deserve to be their own boss. Three monthly finalists will be selected by Signal 88 Security and the winner will be determined by a public vote. Those winners receive $500 and are eligible for the Grand Prize of $5,000. If the winner decides to open a Signal 88 Security franchise with the winnings, the company will increase the amount to $10,000.

Essays are due by January 15 for the first round of the contest. More complete information is available on the website.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.
 

Christmas is almost upon us, and anyone who wants do some extra good with their last-minute spending should check out the USO Wishbook. This alternative giving catalogue enables people to give a gift to someone they know while benefitting the military community. In essence, instead of presenting a material gift directly to a loved one, givers send comforting items to troops, their families or wounded warriors on behalf of that person. After making their purchases, buyers can send e-cards to the original gift recipients (not the military-community members) to let them know about the present bestowed in their honor.

Givers can search for gifts based on interest, price or recipient to find the perfect option. Groups or organizations may want to choose one of the expensive items such as building a bike for a wounded warrior or sponsoring an airdrop.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

Hickory Farms is once again offering free shippping to APO and FPO addresses on select military Christmas gifts. Time is getting tight to get packages there by December 25, but most of the items are just as good for New Year’s celebrations.

Do you know of other companies offering holiday military discounts or groups doing something special to support the troops this Christmas? Let us know about it here by leaving a comment or post it to the Homefront Help Facebook page.

Ever wanted to be one of Santa's elves? Here's the perfect chance to try it out and help wounded warriors at the same time. Operation Covert Santa gathers the wish lists from recently injured troops and their families, removes all identifying information and asks volunteers to supply the presents. All the gifts are given and received anonymously. It isn't charity—it's the magic of Christmas.

Last year, more than 175 elves provided presents for 74 severely injured soldiers and their families. People who want to participate this year can help in several ways:

Donate cash by sending a check made out to the Aleethia Foundation at:

Aleethia Foundation

Operation Covert Santa

1718 M Street NW Suite 1170

Washington DC 20036

Put "Operation Covert Santa VI" in the memo line.

Or

Go to the Aleethia Foundation website and donate electronically by choosing "Ed Meagher's Covert Santa Program." Whether you send a check or use the Web option, email Ed Meagher at huskyelf@cox.net with "Cash Donation" in the subject line so the program can know how much to budget.

Elves also can sign up to buy a single gift, support an individual soldier, or adopt a small or large family. Send an email to the huskyelf@cox.net address with the appropriate choice in the subject line. Participants then will receive the information about what to buy, so they can shop for it, wrap it and put on the number they will receive. The packages can be delivered in person or shipped to:

Operation Covert Santa

453 Walker Road

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Donations are requested as soon as possible but no later than December 16. Email Ed Meagher for more information.






U.S. veterans—on the day our nation sets aside especially for you, we at SIGNAL want to say thank you for all you’ve done overseas and domestically to make life better for everyone who lives here. From fighting vicious enemies to rescuing people during natural disasters, you step up when others run. We appreciate the sacrifice of you and your families. Welcome home.

The National WWII Museum has launched the Thank You for My Freedom campaign to give the public a chance to share videos, photos and words of appreciation to support the nation’s veterans. Efforts center around the www.myveteransday.org website, where people can upload their messages and see what others have posted. Participants also can text THANKS to 51555 or send their messages to the museum’s Twitter and Facebook pages. The work leads up to the museum’s Veterans Day celebrations on November 10 and 11. Organizers want to gather a million thank-yous for U.S. military veterans. So pull out those smartphones and start getting creative!

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s senior news editor.

Turns out that supporting the military just might be a laughing matter. Stand Up for Heroes is an evening of comedy and music during the New York Comedy Festival put on to build morale among and raise money for wounded warfighters, veterans and their families. The funds go to the Bob Woodruff Foundation, a nonprofit organization investing in national and community-based programs that connect members of the military community with help they need.

This year’s event takes place at the Beacon Theatre on Thursday, November 8, at 8 p.m. It will honor the sacrifices of troops and their families, offering support in the effort to heal physically and psychologically from war. Many big-name acts are scheduled to perform including Robin Williams, Jon Stuart and Bruce Springsteen. Individual tickets have sold out, but corporate sponsor packages and VIP benefit packages are available. For more information email SUFH@remind.org.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s senior news editor.
 

The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA—the decommissioned USS North Carolina—invites the public to an onboard Halloween bash on October 30, 2012. The fun includes sweet treats, a petting zoo, temporary tattoos, caricatures and a bounce house, not to mention a chance to celebrate the holiday within a piece of classic U.S. military history.

Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, the ship’s Halloween festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. The cost is $5 per person. Kids two years old or younger get in free.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

The nomination period is now open for the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation 2013 awards. Each year, the foundation honors Marines and civilians who have carried out exemplary work in advancing or preserving Marine Corps history, life, culture and work. Winners will be honored at a ceremony next April. They also will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a medallion and a commemorative brick along the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park pathway at the Marine Corps Heritage Center.

Achievements in literature, art, photography, videography and museum exhibits all can earn recognition. Award categories include historical scholarship, journalism, and letters and arts for a total of 15 awards.

Applicants can nominate themselves or other individuals can nominate someone they believe deserves an award. The deadline for submissions is January 9, 2013. Visit the contest website for more information.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.