1 person found this review helpful
Any Soldier Inc.
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April 6, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
This site is the best. You can send US troops cards during the holidays, tuna, beef jerky, and other food. I always send a letter since the troops like to connect with civilian Americans back home. I've been using it since 2005.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
October 16, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
Any Soldier offers the opportunity for everyone to support our military personnel by sending care packages or simply writing letters or sending a card to service members deployed all around the globe. Their website (warning: HIGHLY addictive!) gives you the chance to choose the service branch, the number of servicemen and women represented by their volunteer contacts, the country in which they are deployed, and by reading the contact's posted information, know what items they need. If you are on a tight budget (and who isn't these days?) you can request an address just to send a note of support. The same family has run this website since its inception; donations are requested and appreciated, but not required; and the website offers a forum where supporters can share ideas and ask questions. This charity gives the most variety in levels of support for our military. I've made many lasting friendships over the years, both with other supporters and with military members who have benefited from the Any Soldier community.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
October 27, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I have been a dedicated supporter of AnySoldier.com for several years now. This organization allows us to choose a unit based on size, military branch, home state, and/or ratio of men to women. The postings from the volunteer contacts vary in the depth of information as to what they do and what they need, but they allow us as supporters to choose the units we feel we can best help based on our own resources. Marty Horn runs the site with, um, dare I say, military precision? He is always quick to answer questions and guards his contacts' security like the MP he was. The site provides many extra features to help both the military contacts and the people who choose to help them, including a Forum where the supporters can talk to each other, offer suggestions, pass on tips on what to send, how to send, and where to find good deals on items the units want or need. While I am aware there are other sites that allow us to adopt a single service member, AnySoldier is the only one that allows us to adopt a unit of our choice (of over thousands of volunteers). I label myself a Donor since I do occasionally donate funds to keep the website running, although the most important donations are the items sent to the service members I choose to support during their deployment. As soon as "my" unit rotates back home, I'm right back on AnySoldier to pick out a new unit to adopt.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The emails from deployed service members, thanking me for thinking of them, reminding them that we care about them, and sending them food, clothing and gear that they want or need.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What would you tell others about this organization?
Check out the website, AnySoldier.com, and read the postings from the volunteer contacts, then decide for yourself if they are worth your time and efforts.
1 person found this review helpful
July 30, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I found the anysoldier website listed in a July 2012 issue of Woman's World magazine and promptly checked out the site. It was easy to navigate and in less than a week, my son and I have mailed out 3 care packages to troops in Afghanistan. It's so easy to help the troops....you just click on their names and they tell you what they need. I like that we can send their immediate needs and wants directly to them. What a great site and my son and I plan to send at least one box per month out.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
February 26, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I wanted to send Christmas packages to the troops in Afghanistan. I was leery after reading about various scams doing this sort of thing. I took a chance and I couldn't bee more satisfied. I didn't expect to receive correspondence confirming my packages had arrived, but I did! I received six letters from one of the platoons I chose. I chose according to their requests. I send to the Forward Ops positions that do not have immediate access to a base or PX. You can tell how in need these guys are when all they ask for are warm socks and thermals. I will continue to send packages until everyone is back home. God Bless America and God Bless our Soldiers!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
That I received six handwritten letters from our troops stating they received the packages.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Everything went very well, I wouldn't change a thing.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
I am a Wildland FireFighter, I too got stuck out in the middle of nowhere sometimes for up to a month. I know what it is like to be without. I started thinking about our troops stuck out there for years! I felt it was the least I could do to help a few soldiers. I respect their efforts and sacrifices. Unless you have had a job where you have no access to showers, water, hot food or a bed for days and weeks on end, you just don't understand.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I started at Christmas time, the season for giving. I contacted a fellow FireFighter who had returned from Iraq and asked about charities that he felt really made a difference on his tour.
What would you tell others about this organization?
It is a worthwhile organization. They do not require you make a donation to them in order to send a package to your chosen Soldier. I did not make a donation the first time I shipped but I certainly do now. Once I received the thank you letters from the soldiers I was assured this was a trustworthy way to help our troops.
January 25, 2012
This has been the best avenue to support our troops. I've been sending care packages to all services since Nov 2004. It's the best way to reach out to our military guys and gals living in tough conditions in Iraq (B4) and Afghanistan now. I hear occasionally from them and it makes my day. They are the greatest and it's the least I can do for their service to this country!
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
January 17, 2012
We discovered anysoldier.com in 2005 in our search to actively support our troops serving in OIF/OEF. From the design of the website (super easy to use!) to all of the up-to-date and accurate information, this site rocks. We have supported numerous units over the years and, even 7 years later, remain in contact w/many of them. With anysoldier.com supplying the names and mailing addresses, we can ensure 100% of our time, money and effort goes directly to the troops. Doesn't get any better than that. I coordinate 'donation drives' at work, local businesses and among friends. This organization definitely is life-changing - not only to us but to the troops. How do we know? Because they've told us... repeatedly.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
like to see tax deductions for supporting our troops. (I know the organization has been working on this.) Be able to designate donations for specific categories, e.g., network support, requests from Soldiers in remote locations.
More feedback...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did you learn about this organization?
Surfing the net
January 14, 2012
I got involved with anysoldier.com when a friend of my brother's was deployed in 2008 and posted some needs on there. after he returned home i kept sending boxes to other heroes who posted on the site. anysoldier is a GREAT way to give back to those who serve our country.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 15, 2011
I love this organization. You can donate as much or as little as you want with no pressure. Send a letter or a box of goodies to our troops. There are no huge adminstrative fees and when you donate, you know exactly where your money is going. I've been sending boxes for 1 1/2 years now and it is very rewarding and very addicting! A donation to the actual organization goes to running the website. Very honest and straight forward. Support our troops - you won't be sory!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
November 28, 2011
I became a user almost at the onset of AnySoldier.com back in 2003..
To me there is no greater program in my estimation for sending packages, cards & letters to any of our military in harms way.. I have made many a good friend of Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Soldiers and members of there families over the years... Having a contact name to choose from the large list makes it so much easier and fun to find someone you want to be in contact with and in many cases a forever friend.. Marty and Sue Horn picked up the baton and ran with it when their son Brian was in Iraq in 2003... He kept asking for packages to be sent for him to share with his buddies who hardly ever received mail of any kind... It became apparent they, family and close friends were unable to supply all of Brian's Company... The light bulb came on for a bright idea..... Thus, AnySoldier.com was sborn... As I remember??? in those days it was first called AnySoldier.US... Later all branches had their own pages to list contacts.. The first was AnyMarine.com..... Since those days so very many of our service members have been on the receiving end of some super packages from great Americans all over the US and also many from other countries have hopped on to add to their pleasure...
To me, there is no better organization for those in harms way to sign on than AnySoldier.com and any branch of the military... It's the only program I use... I have no kids, no family of my own in the military...
But I SURE DO NOW..... Thanks Sue and Marty for making my life so very special.... You are the very BEST! Peggy Kane, Fountain Valley, CA
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through AnySoldier.com I've met and became friends with the Best of the Best!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No changes are needed...
November 20, 2011
I have been sending CARE packages through the anysoldier site for about 5 years now. I started out with general toiletries etc and responding to special needs. I found a niche with recording TV shows and so far, that's worked pretty swell. I get a kick out of thinking about the folks opening an envelop and seeing a whole season of American Idol! I've also made some good friends from this site...sometimes we stay in touch after they are finished with their deployment, sometimes after they get out of the service. I'm just packing up some Christmas stockings...kind of a pun....I got some Army socks on eBay and stuffed them with snacks, secured them with red velcro ties and a candy cane. I think every little bit of that be will be used.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
personal satisfaction...a better...much deeper...appreciation of what the military does for me and my country....some personal friendships
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Although I know these folks don't have a lot of downtime, I would stress to them the need to acknowledge packages and letters. Have alternates or family or friends back home write some simple..."thanks, I got it" notes. I think it decreases participation in the program when gifts are unacknowledged....the senders don't know if they were received or not. And everybody likes a thank you. Plus, after all....nothing that you send is cheap...not after you pay postage :) Marty et al are wonderful.
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