Volunteer Opportunities

Download Support Our Troops Brochure

Adopt A National Guard Or Reserve Unit

American Legion posts throughout the country are encouraged to connect with their local National Guard and Reserve units to learn about the many ways volunteers can assist.
Contact The American Legion Internal Affairs Division at 1-317-630-1321.

Community Troop-Support Initiatives

Troop-support rallies and yellow-ribbon campaigns give local communities the opportunity to express support for the troops. When news of such efforts reaches the front, servicemembers are encouraged and inspired. Legionnaires, as well as all Americans, are urged to partner with local organizations, schools, government and the media to coordinate such events.

Contact The American Legion Internal Affairs Division at 1-317-630-1321.

USA Freedom Corps

During his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush called upon every American to get involved in strengthening America's communities and sharing America's compassion around the world. He asked every American to consider dedicating at least two years over the course of our lives to the service of others. He created the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans to answer his call.

Through the USA Freedom Corps, government can support the momentum of millions of acts of kindness and decency that are changing America one heart at a time. The USA Freedom Corps Network helps individuals find service opportunities that match their interests and talents in their hometowns, across the country or around the world.

To learn more about the USA Freedom Corps, call 1-877-872-2677, e-mail info@usafreedomcorps.gov or visit www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

USO

United Service Organizations is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit charitable corporation. It is endorsed by the president and the Department of Defense. The USO's mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation services to America's men and women in uniform.

More than 12,000 members in the USO international corps of volunteers provide an estimated 450,000 hours of service annually. From welcoming home deployed troops to helping entertain soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, the volunteer contribution in delivering a “Touch of Home" is the USO's primary asset.

To learn how to become a USO volunteer, call 1-202-610-5700 or visit www.uso.org.

Red Cross

Volunteers comprise about 97 percent of the International Red Cross workforce. More than 24,000 volunteers serve as chairs, members of boards of directors, or on advisory boards for local Red Cross chapters, Blood Services regions and military stations. Among Red Cross emergency services for men and women in uniform is the delivery of urgent family messages --  one every 22 seconds.

To learn how to become a Red Cross volunteer, call 1-202-639-3520 or visit www.redcross.org.

How Can I Donate Blood To The Military?

America's Blood Centers, 1-888-872-5663
American Red Cross, 1-800-448-3543

Am I Eligible To Donate Blood?

To give blood, you must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and have not donated blood in the past 60 days. Donors older than 65 might need permission from a blood center's medical director. "Healthy" can be considered as feeling well and able to perform normal daily activities. If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" means you are being treated and the condition is under control. It is estimated that only 5 percent of those who are eligible to donate blood do so. All Americans are encouraged to inquire as to their eligibility.

Temporary deferrals may be made for the donor's safety or to protect the patient who would receive the donor's blood. A willing donor may be turned away for several reasons, including underweight, pregnancy, recent immunization, cold or flu, recent major surgery and recent travel in a tropical country. Some conditions, such as high blood pressure or kidney disease, may result in ineligibility.

A normal donation of one unit equals about a pint of blood. The donor's blood volume begins to be restored immediately. Complete restoration of body fluid comes within 24 hours. Full replacement of red blood cells takes place within two weeks. That's why current standards set an eight-week interval between donations or limit donations to no more than five times a year.