Most of the VoiceQuilt messages we overhear in quality testing involve an adult child thanking Mom or Dad for specific memories. Those thank-you toasts are usually triggered by birthdays and anniversaries. During the month of May, however, we often hear a different mix of voices: young children thanking teachers for a good year or parents expressing gratitude for their graduate’s hard work.

During the next few weeks, I’m hoping we’ll hear an addiitonal set of thank-you’s: friends and family thanking service men and women overseas for their contributions to our nation’s security.

As a civilian, I’ll never truly “get” the full scope of sacrifices military families make. That became obvious when I learned about the Flat Daddy documentary a few months back.

All I DO know for sure is that I’m very proud of the U.S. military’s recent mission in Pakistan. And it seems particularly appropriate that May is Military Appreciation Month. With that in mind, we’d like to profile three non-profit organizations that do wonderful work for military families. Our hope is that you’ll check them out – and maybe get involved.

Operation Homefront
Many military families and wounded warriors have very basic needs. Operation Homefront coordinates donations and offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. VoiceQuilt’s very own Jay Shaffer is a former Operation Homefront Board Member here in Georgia. We hope you’ll check them out here.

Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc
This organization is a nation-wide non-partisan group of women that provide services ranging from sewing adaptive clothing for wounded soldiers to cookie drives for troops serving abroad. In addition to providing a variety of services to soldiers and veterans, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. also promotes patriotism and assists other veteran organizations. Check out ways you can get involved here

Wounded Warrior Project
Honoring and empowering wounded warriors requires a multi-faceted approach. The Wounded Warrior Project understands this and offers a variety of programs for helping wounded soldiers heal. Many of VoiceQuilt’s military families rave about this group. Check out ways to get involved here.

Since May is Military Appreciation Month, it’s a great time to show the men and women who protect us that we are grateful for the sacrifices they make. We’re even offering 3 free days of unlimited voice messages — if you’d like to thank a member of the military. Check that special out here.