When a service member is wounded, ill or injured, calling cards or recreational items can make a difference in their recovery and well-being.
Where government services end, the American Legion's Operation Comfort Warriors program begins.
The nationwide programs ensure that patients at U.S. military hospitals and warrior transition units are given items like sweat suits, DVDs, puzzles, electronic devices, books and calling cards. It also provides larger items such as ping pong tables, entertainment centers, computers, kayaks and other recreational goods for use by wounded warriors in common areas.
Recently, the Missouri Commander Tom Goodin received a donation of $3,000 from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group in cooperation with the Hy-Vee chain out of Iowa.
The total was collected during a six-week, per-case donation program, which will continue annually.
Operation Comfort Warriors was the evolution of Operation Landstuhl, which began in 2007 as the result of then Commander Paul Morin's visit to service members at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
He asked for $50,000, and the Legion rallied with $257,000 for television sets, stereos, long-distance calling cards and other recreation and comfort items.
The next year, then-Commander David Rehbein established the ongoing support program for military hospitals and transition facilities throughout the U.S. and overseas.
Then, in 2010, Operation Comfort Warriors was selected from more than 700 charities in an online contest sponsored by Pepsi, receiving $250,000 to benefit recovering service members.
The Legion relies on officials at the military hospitals and transition units to provide suggested items of need.
"Some patients might need loose-fitting sweatsuits to cover their healing wounds without adding pressure to burns sustained during a rocket attack," the website said. "Others might need an iPod to help drown out the tinnitus that has plagued their ears since their vehicle struck an IED.
"Still others might need fitness equipment to rebuild strength in their muscles."