Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why did the Army put up this Web site?

With the on-going conflict, the public wants to know how it can help with money, goods or services to help relieve many of the stresses and strains that Soldiers now deal with on a daily basis. In response to the many requests received from the American public, this Web site was developed to provide the public an online resource to answer the question: “How can I help?” The Army Gift Program has existed for many years, however, the law allowing the Army to accept gifts was recently amended allowing the Army to accept gifts to assist Wounded Soldiers, Wounded Civilian Employees and their Families.

Q2: What does this Web site offer?

This Web site was developed to provide the public an online resource to answer the question: “How can I help?” The Army Gift Program Web site centralizes the many venues and paths for public assistance that are part of the Army’s overall Gift Program. Contribution options addressed in the Web site include support for the Army, Soldiers and Families, Wounded Warriors, Army installations, Soldier Employment and more in the form of money, goods or services. In addition, information on Army Community Support programs are also provided.

Q3: Is the Army just looking for money?

This Web site is not intended to solicit contributions from the American public. It was developed to provide a single resource that describes contribution options for those who express a desire to contribute to Soldiers and Families. The Army Gift Program has existed for many years; however, the law allowing the Army to accept gifts was recently amended allowing the Army to accept gifts to assist Wounded Soldiers, Wounded Civilian Employees and their Families. With the on-going conflict, the public wants to know how it can help with money, goods or services to help relieve many of the stresses and strains that Soldiers now deal with on a daily basis. This Web site is an online resource to help answer the question “How can I help?”

Q4: Can I make an online credit card contribution to the Army?

Currently, the only Army program that can accept online, credit card contributions, up to $10,000, is the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs. To contribute or receive additional information, click here.

Q5: How will I receive confirmation that my contribution has been applied to the area/program I specified?

By law, gifts accepted by the Army for a particular purpose must be used for that particular purpose. One hundred percent of monetary contributions are used according to a donor’s conditions. No part of a contribution is used to offset administrative expenses. For online monetary contributions, each donor will receive a receipt that acknowledges the contribution and identifies the program area of choice. The Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command will then transfer the funds to the appropriate Army installation and ensure that the installation’s Financial Management Division has received the contribution.

Q6: Will the Army take used goods as contributions?

By law, the Army can only accept certain items. Unfortunately, the Army is not able to accept any used goods. However, there are organizations that may be able to use them. The Department of Defense Community Relations Web site was launched in 2004 to communicate citizen support to the men and women serving in our Armed Forces and their Families. Please visit Our Military, which lists more than 350 homefront groups offering support to the military community.

Q7: Are contributions tax deductible?

A contribution to the United States or the Department of the Army is tax deductible if your contribution is made solely for public purposes and is not set aside for use by a specific person. Please consult your tax advisor for details.

Q8: Who can I contact about making a contribution to the Army?

Questions regarding gift assistance can be emailed to Army Gift Program Coordinator.

Q9: How can I make a contribution to Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs?

There are a variety of Army programs that support Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.

• Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs processes general unsolicited contributions in the form of goods, services or money for use in Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs that support Soldiers and their Families. For more information, please contact the Morale, Welfare, Recreation Gift Program Manager at usarmy.jbsa.imcom-hq.mbx.mwr-gifts@mail.mil.

Q10: How can I make a contribution specifically to wounded Soldiers?

Our Wounded Warriors are supported through several Army programs, to include the Army Medical Department and the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2).

• The Army Medical Department provides quality health services on the battlefield and at home for Soldiers and their Families. To make a contribution to an Army medical facility of your choice, please contact the medical facility directly. To find a particular facility, or one in your local area, please visit the Army Medical Department's world-wide facility listing at www.armymedicine.army.mil/hc/mtfs.html.
• Aw2 is committed to providing compassionate and personally-tailored support and advocacy to severely wounded Soldiers and their Families. AW2 links these Soldiers with critically needed resources, and champions their well-being. For more information, please call 703-428-8297 or visit www.aw2.army.mil.

Q11: I'm an employer interested in hiring a Soldier. How can I reach out to interested Soldiers?

The Army has programs designed to connect employers and Soldiers.

• Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) - This program helps Soldiers succeed with transitioning from federal service and helps employers find dependable employees at no cost. For more information please visit www.acap.army.mil.
• Army Partnership for Youth Success (PAYS) - This program is a recruiting initiative that appeals to young people interested in obtaining a quality civilian job after serving in the Army. For more information please call 502.626.1222 or visit www.armypays.com.
• Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESRG) - This program operates through a network of volunteers and companies throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Europe. For more information please call 1.800.336.4590 or visit www.esgr.com.

Q12: How can I make a contribution to a specific Army Installation?

Use this map and choose an Installation or go to Soldiers and Families and choose an Installation.

Q13: Can I make a contribution to a specific Army medical facility?

Yes. To find a particular facility, or one in your local area, please visit the Army Medical Department's world-wide facility listing at www.armymedicine.army.mil.

Q14: Does the Army recommend any organizations, programs, or such that support our Solders?

The Department of Defense Community Relations Web site communicates citizen support to the men and women serving in our Armed Forces and their Families. For more information, please visit www.ourmilitary.mil. Please note that the United States Army neither states nor implies endorsement, association, or recommendation regarding the organizations listed on the Department of Defense Community Relations Web site. All advertisements, promotions, statements, and logos are those of the non-Federal entities listed.

Q15: I would like to send a care package to a deployed soldier. How can I obtain a mailing address?

The Army gift program cannot provide personal information, such as names and addresses, for our deployed soldiers. Please visit the Department of Defense Community Relations website, www.ourmilitary.mil, and click the America Supports You Homefront Groups www.ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml link, scroll down and click the care packages www.ourmilitary.mil/care_packages.shtml link for a list of organizations with care package programs. Please note that the advertisements, promotions, statements and logos are those of the listed organizations. The Department of Defense and the United States Army neither states nor implies any endorsement, association or recommendation with regard to these organizations.

Q16: I would like to send a letter to a deployed soldier. How can I obtain a mailing address?

The Army gift program cannot provide personal information, such as names and addresses, for our deployed soldiers. All mail must be addressed to a specific individual; otherwise, the Post Office will not deliver the mail. Please visit the Department of Defense Community Relations website, www.ourmilitary.mil and click Thank the Troops www.ourmilitary.mil/Message.aspx?SectionID=5 to send an online message. Or, click the America Supports You Homefront Groups www.ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml link, scroll down and click Letters and Messages for a list of organizations with letter writing campaigns. Please note that the advertisements, promotions, statements and logos are those of the listed organizations. The Department of Defense and the United States Army neither states nor implies any endorsement, association or recommendation with regard to these organizations.

Q17: I would like to nominate someone for recognition from Freedom Team Salute. However, I am unable to access the Freedom Team Salute website and submit a nomination. Is the program still active?

Unfortunately, Freedom Team Salute ceased its operations in February 2010. For details, click here to read the letter posted by Freedom Team Salute.