sundance-communications.com Forums Member Forums Phone Booth helping out the military family

I have been contemplating an idea for sometime. I am a bit disenchanted with the few organizations setup to help our military families in need. Seems most of the donations go to admin costs and very little of it actually makes it into the pocket of the people who need it. I am considering starting a non-profit organization to help military families. It would most likely stay small, but most of the money would end up with the people who need. Am I dreaming? Does this have a chance of making it?

All charities start out with good intentions but when the bureaucrats and the so called (fund raisers) get involved the money goes to them and not the intended target. If you can keep it simple and cost effective you can really help them out. That's my thoughts

I had a friend over there, he sent me two addresses, first is to adopt a school to send school supples to the Iraqi children. The second is adopt a squadron to send goodies to the troop. He says they really need wet wipes, bug repelent and any goodies. This way it gets there direct, no middle man, have to warn you postage is high. Thanks for caring.
Bill

Adopt a School
c/o 332 Expeditionary Air Wing
Plans and Programs (332 AEW/XP)
APO, AE 09315


[email protected]

Sorry, didn't read your post close enough. Not sure about helping the families, if you'd like I'll contact him to see what he feels is best.
Bill



[This message has been edited by justbill (edited August 25, 2004).]

My intentions are to help the dependants back in the states who are stuggling. I have a few contacts in the local military units and can start there. it is pretty cheap to get a web site, bank account, and maybe paypal for online contributions, so I am really thinking this over hard. Even an oppurtunity to give a family a few hundred bucks seems worth while. How many of you would donate? I think getting people to pledge a certain amount per month or year would work best. We give $30 a month to sponser a child in latin america. If I could fing a way to allow people to have $5 a month contributed from their checking account, that would be best. Then send em a reciept at the end of every year.

Doesnt the military provide a pay check for all the soldiers and their family's???

Mitch, while I don't normally comment on matters of opinion on the open forum, and at the risk of getting kicked off the board myself....Let me say that I consider it an honor to be the first to express my opinion that you are truely a special kind of a**hole.



[This message has been edited by JOHNYREB (edited August 26, 2004).]

Z-man, your intentions are noble. There is an established help network at each military command and all commands have an ombudsman. Help can come in many forms. From fixing a washing machine to just listening. Each service has it's own guidelines for financial aid up to and including food stamps. All military families are eligible for any federal assistance/subsidies.
I suggest to you that you meet the senior enlisted advisor and the base chaplin at your nearest military base. Explain your ideas and ask for their ideas. Send a few letters to afloat commands (ships) for input.
Lastly, Good Luck.
Jim Wooten USN retired

Hey REB: Am I missing something here???
I simply stated a question about military pay for the soldiers......

I appreciate the kind comments, it just shows your business savy....

Yes I think you did just ask a normal question....but your reputation proceeds you. Most people don't know how to read your posts mainly because your usually so sarcastic...I can understand how REB took it...kinda like you were bitchen that they already get paid sooo why give them help.

But I don't think you meant it that way..then again I'm not sure either. It's like the guy who call wolf...do it long enough and your not taken seriously any longer...except yours is on the sarcastic side.

Perhaps I did jump the gun, but I hope you can appreciate my confusion. I could not fathom how someone might think the term "Volunteer Army" meant they didn't get a paycheck. With that being the case and with my limited coganative abilities, I was forced to jump to the conclusion that you were simply trying to hijack someone elses thread who was trying to help some folks, in an extremely lame and heartless attempt to make a political point. I'm sorry if i misread the intent of your post, and in an effort to mend fences, the answer to your question is, yes the soldiers do get paid.