Giving Back to the Military During the Holidays

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Giving back to the military around the holidays is great for families to engage in. Shop through the USO Wishbook and support our nation’s troops.

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As a mom, one of my main parenting goals is to raise kind and generous children, who know how to put the needs and feelings of other before their own, and who know how to give back to their community. While we focus on this throughout the year, the holiday months inspire us to be extra gracious, and give back in as many ways as we can. 

Some of my grandpa’s favorite stories to tell were those from when he fought in the war. I grew up with a respect for the military and currently have many family members who are active in the military. Discussing the appreciation that I have for them with my children has passed that respect down to them, and my oldest son in particular likes to support and engage in giving back to the military whenever he can find the chance. 

Giving Back to the Military During the Holidays

The holiday season is one in which it is especially important to remember those that serve our country. It is easy to take for granted our time spent with family during the holidays, and vital to stop and give thanks to those who work tirelessly and make daily sacrifices for us.  

For service members stationed away from home for the holidays, this can mean missing precious moments and favorite traditions. Throughout the year, the nation’s service members are there for us, and in giving back to the military, it is our chance to be there for them with gifts for good.

How to Support the Military with the USO Wishbook

The USO has a mission to strengthen our service members by keeping them connected to family and home. The USO asks all military supporters to join in as a Force Behind the Forces® and support its effort to connect service members and their families to home, no matter where they serve.

The holidays are a wonderful time to sit down with your family, and look at the USO Wishbook. For the holidays and particularly on Giving Tuesday, let’s give back to the men and women who give up so much. USO Wishbook is an online alternative giving catalog and offers you a way to support the USO.

Here you can purchase symbolic gifts for friends and loved ones that help America’s service members and their families. Each of my kids will be saving part of their allowance to purchase a comfort food package to help deliver a home-cooked meal to those in the service. You can also opt to purchase a movie night or a video recording of a bedtime story read by a member of the military for their children.

What a beautiful way to support the troops, especially during this time of year.

Use a USO Facebook Fundraiser to Give Back

Instead of, or in addition to, purchasing through the USO Wishbook, you can rally your friends and other military supporters to give back through a USO Facebook Fundraiser. Set one up today, give your own personal story of why you are choosing to give back to the military during this time of year, and invite others to help.

Other Small Ways of Giving Back to the Military 

If you are looking for more ideas of ways to give back to the military with kids, here are some of our favorites:

• draw a picture of write a letter to send to the troops
• put together care packages, have friends come together to craft one
• find local toy drives for military children
• pay for the meal for those in uniform at a restaurant

What a wonderful lesson to teach your children, and an important opportunity to help out and give back to the military this holiday season.

This post was sponsored by the USO. All opinions are my own.

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