Help Spread The True Meaning of Christmas

I have read that perhaps this current economic crisis will be a much needed wake up call of sorts. We, as consumers (and I raise my hand here because I totally like my stuff) should take this opportunity to re-examine and re-evaluate our shopping and spending habits.

We should make more of an effort to buy American, buy local and buy sustainable. We should become a better example to our kids of what "people over possessions" really means, particularly over the holidays.

Helping the military and their families is a cause that's really important to me. I'll never forget the generosity of the small business my husband was working for when he was activated after 9/11. They gave him a small salary while he was gone which was so helpful to me since I was managing the household alone.

Not every military family can say the same. Despite the housing allowance and commissary, many families still really struggle to make ends meet, and it can leave parents feeling frustrated and depressed.

Here are a few organizations I've come across who have cheap, easy or free ways to send some holiday love to our men and women in uniform. because morale is so important.

*I found Wish Upon a Hero through an affiliate program I belong to.

Anyone can post a wish for something they want or need. I've used it to ask for help with the postcards and DVD player for my soldier and have gotten a nice response. I've also granted wishes by sending cards and postcards. There are many people looking for "small" but meaningful wishes that won't cost you much, if anything (free to join the site).

*Xerox has set up a site where you choose a postcard and they will mail it to a military member FREE (thanks Thrifty Mommy!).




*I saw eMail Our Military on Mommy Pie's site and had to look into it.

They have so many projects to contribute to (more than listed here):

• Postcards
• Care Packages
• Soup for the Troops
• Voice mail messages
• Artwork from kids (great for a Scouts, class or church project)

I did see they require a $2 processing fee but couldn't tell if it's needed for all the activities.

*The Red Cross is also sending cards to soldiers (postmark deadline 12/10).

*At the Starbucks near me and the Albertson's, shoppers can buy bags of coffee and leave them to be sent to the troops.

*And there is always the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

If you know of any other groups supporting the military for the holidays (or any other good causes) please leave it in the comments.

And, with the money pinch so many of us are feeling, will you be taking a more grassroots approach to the holidays?
(*None of theses companies know I've written about them)