Help Military Families
U.S. military personnel are deployed in approximately 150 countries across the globe. Many service members are geographically se
parated from their families during assignments.
Deployed military members leave behind spouses, children and parents who must try to maintain life as usual while their loved one is away. In addition, they are often left to settle into a new community without the support of local family and friends.
Because the military family may be new to town or on their own, it can be even more stressful for them to locate childcare, register children for school, schedule doctor appointments and maintain a home. These problems are compounded when the spouse is deployed. In many instances, it can be just as stressful when a spouse returns from deployment, especially if that person has been injured.
How you can help
Military families that are settling into a new home and community have many needs that can be met by volunteers who may be able to babysit, help with errands, locate a handyman, jumpstart a car, or prepare a meal. Volunteers can also be a resource to find others in the community who can provide
support.
Military men and women and their families make tremendous sacrifices as they serve our country. Your support lets them know how much their service is appreciated. Members of the military represent the leaders of the next generation. By supporting them we are encouraging them to continue their service—eventually outside the military, in our communities.
The Basic Steps
Take a grassroots approach and follow these steps to volunteer in your community. For more structured opportunities to help military families, go to our More Resources section to find additional opportunities with organizations with a strong track record of helping military families.
Step 1: Get Started
Although military populations vary from community to community, there are countless ways to connect with military families in your hometown.
Check in with local veterans service organizations. Or, if you live near a military or guard base, contact the base’s Family Resource Center.
Ask neighbors, school counselors, faith-based groups, and other community/fraternal organizations like Masons, Kiwanis and Lions Club to identify a military family in your neighborhood.
Educate yourself about military culture (see below for more information) and the different branches of service.
Step 2: Introduce Yourself
Introduce yourself to the military family and let them know that you are available.
Get more ideas on how to identify a family that could use some support with the attached Resources for Connecting with Military Families.
If none of your immediate neighbors are military families, try to find a common gathering place such as a library or guard base where you might offer to organize a potluck dinner during which you can introduce yourself and others who are willing to help.
Follow through. Continue to reach out and offer specific help. For example, you might offer to babysit once a week or ask if you can pick up something at the grocery store while you are out shopping.
Keep in mind that simply listening can have a valuable impact on the emotional well being of the family member. Everyone wants and needs to be heard.
Step 3: Spread the Word
Encourage others to reach out to military families. You can download and post this flyer at work or in your community (available for download in the 'Supplemental Materials & Information' section below).