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Support Our Troops
Thousands of US Troops have been deployed around the world in the fight against terrorism. They serve in dangerous conditions, away from the comforts of home that we often take for granted. Due to heightened security, individuals cannot express their gratitude by letters or through packages to “Any Service Member.” [printable PDF.]
To help support our troops, the APWU Human Relations Department has developed several programs in cooperation with the USO, the Fisher House Foundation, Malogne House, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. These APWU programs will only be possible through your generosity. Your participation in our Support Our Troops programs will serve as a reminder that you have not forgotten their sacrifice.
Care Packages
Care packages provide warm messages and familiarities from home. Packages will be sent (through the USO) to servicemen and women serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Recipients will include all military branches and be from anywhere in the US. We will also be forwarding care packages to APWU members or their loved ones who have been deployed overseas (when we have their military mailing address). Additionally we will be delivering your packages to severely injured service members who have returned stateside but require a long-term stay in a medical facility in order to undergo rehabilitation and physical.
To be in compliance with the law and security measures it is important to follow the “Wish List” procedures. Care packages will be opened and inspected before they are forwarded. Please mark your package clearly if it is intended to be gender specific. Do not send packages directly to the organizations we have coordinated with; they will not be accepted.
Personal Messages
You can download and print the APWU Supports Our Troops postcard to accompany your care package. For security reasons, personal messages cannot be enclosed in an envelope or sealed in any way. Messages that contain negative remarks will not be forwarded.
Gratitude Dinners
Gratitude Dinners provide a much needed, much deserved night out for severely injured troops recovering at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, the Fisher House or the Malogne House. The dinners provide these courageous men and women with an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company away from the confines of the hospital, where some will remain for over a year.
The dinners are hosted on Friday night at a steakhouse in Washington, DC. Usually about sixty troops are in attendance. If you would like to show your appreciation, make your donation payable to APWU Gratitude Dinners.
Operation Teddy Care
There’s probably nothing harder for a small child than being separated from a parent and there’s nothing as comforting as a soft cuddly teddy bear. Children of US Troops make a significant sacrifice that often is never acknowledged. Let them know you understand and you care. Donate a new stuffed animal or toy. They will be distributed at military family centers prior to a deployment or to children visiting their parent at a military medical facility along with an APWU certificate of appreciation for being brave and helpful while their parent is serving in the line of duty for the United States of America. It’s a great way to introduce children to unions.
Families Too
In our visits to medical facilities we have met a lot of family members, mostly young wives, but there are also husbands, moms, dads, brothers and sisters. All there to stand vigil and to provide support while their loved one endures their struggles of recovery. We witnessed the toll that the long days and long nights take on the families. Family members hope never to be in these circumstances, yet find they are grateful for life. You can see the strain on their faces and hear it in their voices. Their sacrifices are also great. When we say we support our troops that means we support their families too. APWU Human Relations Department would like to sponsor special events at the medical facilities to give family members a brief moment to reenergize: books, luncheons, manicures, relaxation workshops, afternoon teas. Whatever we can do to help get them through and let them know we care.
If you have questions, please call the APWU Human Relations Department at 202-842-4271. All care package items, stuffed animals, toys and books must be new. All monetary donations should be made payable to APWU (Supports Our Troops) — indicate in the memo which program you are contributing to. Donations received that do not identify a specific program will be expended at the discretion of the Human Relations Director. All donors will be acknowledged to recipient(s) when receiving the gift or when attending an event. Contact information will be disclosed, when provided unless the donor indicates otherwise. All donated items, monetary contributions, information and photos should be sent to:
APWU Human Relations Department
1300 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
ABOUT THE HUMAN RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Susan M. Carney, Director
Telephone: (202) 842-4270
Fax: (202) 216-2634
There’s more to being a progressive union than achieving and enforcing a contract — and that’s where the Human Relations Department comes in. In order to be a progressive union, we must be responsive to our membership’s needs and diversity.
Our programs and benefits inspire members to participate in the union and give them a sense of inclusion, contribution, and ownership.
