The holidays can be a difficult time for single service members stationed far from home. Many don’t have the opportunity to take leave or visit family, and may be their first time being so far away from their home leaving them feeling isolated during a season meant for togetherness. Hosting a service member for the holidays is a meaningful way to show appreciation, create community, and offer a sense of belonging. Here’s a guide to help you welcome a service member into your home and make the experience memorable for everyone involved.

1. Coordinate with Local Military Programs

Many installations run programs that match single service members with local families during the holidays. Programs like “Adopt-a-Service Member” or Operation Homefront help facilitate connections between community members and military personnel. Start by contacting the base’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) office, Community Services, Force Support Squadron (FSS) or the USO to express your interest. These programs ensure both hosts and guests feel comfortable and safe.

2. Get to Know Your Guest in Advance

Before the big day, try to learn about the service member’s interests, dietary needs, and background. You can ask:

• Do they have any food allergies or dietary restrictions?
• Are there any cultural or religious practices to keep in mind?
• What holiday traditions do they enjoy?

This will help you plan the event in a way that makes them feel at home. Additionally, knowing whether they prefer quiet time or social interaction can guide the type of activities you prepare.

3. Plan Inclusive Activities

Not all service members celebrate the same holidays, so consider planning a range of inclusive activities. Here are some ideas:

• Board games or card games to break the ice.
• Outdoor activities, like a walk through a holiday light display.
• Holiday movie marathons featuring classics or new releases.
• If the service member has family traditions they enjoy, invite them to share or incorporate those traditions into your celebrations.

These activities will provide opportunities for conversation and connection, ensuring the day feels welcoming and fun.

4. Create a Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere

Simple touches can go a long way in making a service member feel included:

• Set a place at the table specifically for your guest and introduce them as part of the gathering.
• Share stories and memories to make them feel like part of the family, rather than just a visitor.
• Gift small tokens of appreciation, like baked goods or a care package, to show gratitude for their service.

If the service member is feeling homesick, offering time for a video call with their loved ones can mean a lot.

5. Be Flexible and Respect Boundaries

Keep in mind that some service members might need to leave early or have additional duties. Be flexible with your schedule, and don’t pressure them to stay longer than they are comfortable. Respecting their time and obligations will help make the experience positive.

6. Follow Up After the Holidays

Stay connected after the holidays. Send a follow-up message thanking them for spending time with your family, and let them know they’re welcome back anytime. This gesture reinforces the sense of community that many service members miss when away from home.

Hosting a single service member for the holidays is not just about providing a meal or place to stay—it’s about creating a sense of belonging. Your hospitality can make a significant difference, giving them warmth and connection during what can be a lonely time. By reaching out through programs like MWR or USO, planning inclusive activities, and fostering a welcoming environment, you’ll ensure that both your family and your guest share a meaningful and memorable holiday season.

United Through Reading (UTR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between service members and their families through the power of storytelling when service members are separated from their families. The program allows service members to record themselves reading books to their children, which helps maintain strong emotional connections during deployments, long separations, or training assignments. This initiative offers military families a unique way to nurture relationships, reduce anxiety, and promote literacy, ensuring that distance doesn’t erode the bonds between loved ones.

How the Program Works

The heart of United Through Reading’s program lies in recorded story sessions. Service members can choose from a collection of children’s books provided by UTR, record themselves reading aloud, and send the video back home. Family members can play the recording as often as they like, giving children the comforting experience of hearing their parent’s voice, even from thousands of miles away. UTR offers several ways to participate:

• At Military Installations and Events: UTR stations are present at USO centers, military libraries, and other key locations where service members can make recordings.
• Virtual Participation: Service members who cannot access a physical recording location can record videos from their own devices using the UTR app and send them digitally.
• Books for Every Age: The program provides age-appropriate book selections for children of all reading levels, encouraging engagement for families with kids of all ages.

This flexible approach makes it easier for families to stay connected, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Using the UTR App

1. Download the App

The UTR app is available for free download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Look for “United Through Reading” and install it on your smartphone or tablet.

2. Create an Account

After installation, you’ll need to create an account. Simply provide your name, military affiliation, and email address. You can also log in through a partner organization’s portal if applicable (such as the USO). The account allows you to securely store and share your recordings with family members.

3. Choose a Book to Read

UTR offers access to a digital library of children’s books within the app. You can either select a book from this library or use a physical copy that you have on hand. The library includes books for a wide range of reading levels, from picture books for toddlers to chapter books for older children.

If you’re using your own book, simply position it so that it’s visible in the recording for children to follow along.

4. Make the Recording

Once you’ve chosen a book, follow these tips to record your video:

• Find a quiet space: Minimize background noise to ensure clear audio.
• Position your phone or tablet: Prop your device at an angle that captures your face and the book (if using a physical copy).
• Read naturally: Engage with the story as you would if reading at home—use different voices, pause for effect, and have fun with it!
• Keep it short: Aim for 5-10 minutes to maintain children’s attention, especially for younger audiences.

If needed, you can pause and resume the recording to make adjustments.

5. Save and Share the Recording

After recording, review your video to ensure the sound and visuals are clear. When satisfied:

• Save the video within the app or upload it to the UTR secure platform.
• Enter the recipient’s details (like the child’s name and caregiver’s email).
• The app allows you to send the recording directly or download it to share through email or messaging platforms.

You can also choose to store multiple recordings to send later or re-watch when needed.

6. Track The Story

The app offers an option to track how often your videos are viewed, giving you insight into how your child is engaging with the stories. This feature provides a great way to feel connected even when you’re not physically present.

Using the United Through Reading app is a powerful way for service members to stay connected with their children, especially during extended absences. It offers the convenience of recording from anywhere, with the added security of private sharing. In 2023 alone, UTR facilitated more than 7,000 recordings, with nearly 80,000 books provided to military families. Whether you’re reading your child’s favorite story or exploring a new book together, these recordings create cherished moments and memories that last well beyond the deployment.

For more details or to get started, visit United Through Reading.

If this Hurricane season has taught us anything, it is the unpredictable nature of these storms. Hurricanes Helene and Milton did significant damage up and down the eastern seaboard. While hurricane season thankfully ends in November, be prepared for next season with this list for disaster preparedness, with a few lessons from those who experienced losses this year.

1. Document and Catalog Belongings

• Video your home’s interior and exterior: Walk through your house with a camera or smartphone, capturing valuables and major appliances. Make sure to talk through items on video and show any serial numbers.
• Create an inventory list: Write down item descriptions, model numbers, and estimated values. This catalog will be essential if you need to file an insurance claim after the storm.
• Store documents securely: Upload videos and inventory lists to cloud storage, ensuring access even if paper copies are lost.

2. Move Valuables to Climate-Controlled Storage

• Relocate precious items: Move heirlooms, jewelry, or important documents to climate-controlled storage located outside flood-prone areas.
• Consider off-site digital backups: Scan critical documents like insurance policies and store them digitally.
• Elevate items within your home: Place remaining valuables on higher floors or shelves to protect them from floodwater, make sure to move them away from windows as well.

3. Review and Update Insurance Policies

• Check your insurance coverage: Make sure your policies include flood insurance, which is often separate from standard homeowner’s insurance.
• Update policy details: Verify coverage amounts for your home and belongings to ensure they align with current market values.
• Document contacts and policies: Keep your agent’s contact information and policy numbers accessible for easy reference during and after the storm.

4. Compile a List of Reputable Contractors

• Research and vet local contractors: If you own your home, make a list of licensed and reputable contractors before the storm hits.
• Ensure availability: Confirm contractors can respond quickly after a disaster.
• Avoid post-storm scams: Use trusted sources, like your insurance company, to find professionals for repairs.

5. Strengthen Your Home’s Defenses

• Install storm shutters or board up windows with plywood.
• Secure outdoor furniture and any loose items that could become projectiles in high winds.
• Trim trees and branches near your home to prevent damage.

6. Stock Emergency Supplies

• Have a 72-hour emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and necessary medications.
• Keep a radio on hand to receive weather updates if power is lost.
• Make sure to have a generator if you live in an area prone to long power outages.

7. Evacuation Plan and Contacts

• Identify evacuation routes and have a plan to leave early if necessary.
• Share your plan with friends or family outside the storm zone.
• Keep fuel tanks full and emergency cash on hand in case of power outages that impact ATMs and gas stations.

By preparing early, reviewing insurance policies, safeguarding important items, and having a reliable contractor list, you’ll be better equipped to protect your home and recover quickly after the storm. Planning ahead makes all the difference when every minute counts.

October is the perfect time for military families to start preparing holiday shipments, especially for loved ones stationed overseas. With postal timelines tightening as December approaches, it’s crucial to send gifts and care packages early. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has released specific deadlines to ensure military mail reaches its destination by December 25.

Important USPS Deadlines for Military Mail 2024:

For guaranteed delivery by Christmas, consider these cutoff dates for various regions and services:

• APO/FPO/DPO ZIPs 090-099, 340, and 962-966:
  • First-Class and Priority Mail: December 9
  • Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS): December 16
  • Space Available Mail (SAM): November 6
  •  

For certain remote or high-demand areas, such as ZIP 093, PMEMS is not available. Families should carefully select the appropriate service to avoid delays. Additionally, free flat-rate boxes are available for military mail, and USPS offers discounted rates, including $21.15 for its largest Priority Mail flat-rate box, which includes a $1.50 discount for military destinations. Remember, printing the mail label online also comes with a discount on the mail price, and allows you to drop off the labeled package at your local post office without waiting a line – that is a win during the busy holiday season.

Packing Tips to Ensure Safe Delivery

• Label clearly: Avoid listing the service member’s country to comply with military mail guidelines.
• Customs Sheet: Be as detailed as possible on the customs sheet.
• Include an internal address card: In case the exterior label is damaged, placing a duplicate label inside the package ensures it still arrives.
• Order supplies early: Free military care kits, containing flat-rate boxes and tape, can be requested from USPS by calling 800-610-8734 or visiting the USPS website.
•  

USPS anticipates processing over 12.6 million pounds of military mail this season, making it essential to plan ahead. Shipping early reduces the risk of delays caused by high mail volume and ensures your loved ones receive their holiday surprises on time.

By organizing now, families can avoid the holiday rush and make sure their gifts bring a touch of home to service members abroad. For further details, including complete USPS guidelines, visit their official holiday shipping page​

The holiday season can be challenging for military families, especially when facing a permanent change of station (PCS) or potential deployments. Moving close to the holidays introduces a unique set of obstacles—balancing celebrations with the logistics of packing, shipping gifts, and maintaining family traditions. Here are practical strategies to ensure a joyful, organized holiday season amid a PCS move.

1. Declutter Early and Lighten Your Load

A PCS offers the perfect opportunity to declutter before the holiday season. Downsizing makes packing smoother and reduces moving costs. To avoid stress:

• Donate or sell unused items. This will free up space for new gifts and keep your household manageable when unpacking in a new location.
• Involve the whole family: Have children sort toys or clothes they’ve outgrown to turn decluttering into a pre-holiday project.
• Digitize sentimental items: Scan family photos, children’s artwork, or holiday cards to save space.

Streamlining your belongings will reduce moving burdens and create a fresh start in your new home.

2. Plan Holiday Shipments Early

If family members are stationed overseas, plan gifts with USPS’s military mail deadlines in mind. Here’s a quick look at USPS shipping deadlines for military destinations to ensure delivery by December 25:

• First-Class & Priority Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS): December 16
• Space Available Mail (SAM): November 6

You can also use free military care kits from USPS, which include flat-rate boxes and mailing supplies. Taking care of gift shipping early will help you avoid delays and ensure your packages bring holiday cheer to deployed loved ones​.

3. Maintain Traditions, Even from a Distance

Traditions are essential to military families, especially when facing separation. Even if your family is scattered across different time zones, here are ways to stay connected:

• Virtual celebrations: Plan a video call to decorate the tree or open gifts together, keeping the spirit of togetherness alive.
• Create care packages: Sending small holiday-themed items, like a family photo ornament or handwritten notes, keeps connections strong.
• Pre-holiday celebrations: If PCS overlaps with the holidays, celebrate early with a “Christmas in whichever month you can” to create memories before parting ways. Maintaining family rituals—even modified ones—provides continuity, particularly for children experiencing frequent relocations.

4. Prepare for PCS During the Holidays

PCS orders near the holidays require extra planning to stay organized and festive. Here’s how to manage both:

• Pack strategically: Separate holiday decorations and essential items into easy-access bins so they can be unpacked first in your new location.
• Ship gifts directly: Ordering online and shipping to your next duty station or loved ones can save space in your moving boxes.
• Work with your installation’s family services: Many bases offer support through holiday programs, like toy drives or community meals, easing the burden during relocations.

Staying organized ensures that both the move and celebrations go smoothly, without losing the holiday magic.

5. Be Flexible and Stay Positive

Relocating around the holidays can feel overwhelming, but flexibility is key. Embrace the changes and try to create new traditions wherever you are. Holiday joy doesn’t depend on location—it’s about who you share it with. Whether you’re decorating a palm tree at a tropical duty station or making snowmen at your new base in Alaska, adapt and find the beauty in each new experience.

Navigating a PCS during the holiday season takes preparation, but with early planning and the right mindset, you can maintain family traditions and create new memories—whether at home, abroad, or en route to your next destination. Stay organized, ship gifts early, and embrace the season’s challenges with flexibility. These efforts will ensure a smoother transition for your family while keeping the holiday spirit alive.

Several military organizations and non-profits accept candy donations to support troops and their families. After Halloween, donating excess candy is a great way to share with the community, and lessen the temptation for endless candy snacking in your home. Here are a few military and veteran organizations that typically accept candy donations:

1. Soldiers’ Angels – Treats for Troops

• About: Soldiers’ Angels runs the Treats for Troops program, which collects candy to send care packages to deployed service members and distribute it to veterans in VA hospitals. Schools, businesses, and individuals can participate.
• How to Donate: You can mail candy directly to Soldiers’ Angels, or find a participating candy collection site near you on their website.
• Website: Soldiers’ Angels – Treats for Troops

2. Operation Gratitude – Halloween Candy Give-Back Program

• About: Operation Gratitude collects candy for their Halloween Candy Give-Back Program, which sends sweet treats to deployed troops, veterans, and first responders. They encourage schools, dentist offices, and community groups to participate by hosting candy drives. In 2024, the program is on hold, but may resume collection in the future.
• How to Donate: You can register as a donor on their website, mail candy, or drop it off at a collection site.
• Website: Operation Gratitude – Halloween Candy Give-Back Program

3. Support Our Troops – Halloween Candy Collection

• About: Support Our Troops is a charity that sends care packages, including candy, to deployed service members. Donated candy can be included in these packages to give troops a taste of home.
• How to Donate: Check the Support Our Troops website for details on how to send candy donations.
• Website: Support Our Troops

4. Operation Shoebox

• About: Operation Shoebox sends care packages to troops overseas and welcomes candy donations. They include candy in care packages as a treat for soldiers and to share with local communities they serve.
• How to Donate: You can mail your candy donations directly to Operation Shoebox.
• Website: Operation Shoebox

5. Freedom Alliance

• About: Freedom Alliance is an organization dedicated to supporting military families and veterans. They sometimes collect Halloween candy as part of their care package initiatives.
• How to Donate: Check their website for any special candy collection drives or reach out to find out how to donate.
• Website: Freedom Alliance

6 .Operation Care and Comfort

• About: This non-profit organization provides care packages to deployed military personnel. They welcome donations of candy, which they include in holiday and general care packages.
• How to Donate: Check their website for current candy drives and details on mailing donations.
• Website: Operation Care and Comfort

Tips for Donating Candy:

• Individually Wrapped Candy: Most organizations request individually wrapped candy for hygiene and safety reasons.
• Avoid Chocolate in Some Cases: Some organizations suggest avoiding chocolate during warm months due to melting during shipping.
• Contact Before Donating: Always check the organization’s website or contact them to confirm their current needs and donation guidelines.

Stay Local

If you are military connected family, chances are you are near or on a military base. Consider sharing candy bags with single military members who are on the base – this may be their first Halloween from home. Share candy with units or offices by donating to your military members unit or reaching out to the family advocacy offices at the local base if candy would be useful. Don’t forget other first responders like the local fire station or paramedics – they enjoy a little sweet treat now and then too after their long shifts.

By donating candy to these organizations, you can spread some Halloween cheer to the military community. 

The holiday season can be one of the most challenging times for military families, especially when a loved one is deployed. The absence of a parent, spouse, or significant other during a time traditionally filled with togetherness and celebration can create emotional hardships. However, with intentional communication and creative traditions, families can stay connected and keep their bonds strong. Here are practical ways to foster those connections and maintain resilient relationships for all age groups during a holiday deployment.

1. Staying Connected with Children During a Deployment

Children, regardless of age, may find it difficult to understand and cope with the absence of a deployed parent during the holidays. It’s important to address their emotional needs in ways that resonate with their developmental stage.

• Young Children: For toddlers and preschoolers, the concept of time can be hard to grasp, so the absence of a parent may feel incredibly long. One effective way to help them stay connected is through daily routines that incorporate the deployed parent. For example, creating a “Countdown to Homecoming” calendar with stickers or drawings for each day that passes gives them something tangible to understand the passage of time. (But don’t forget to build in some ability to buffer as the military may in true military fashion adjust return dates as needed.) Reading bedtime stories on video or audio from the deployed parent can help maintain a sense of comfort and familiarity. Using apps or virtual calls where the deployed parent can participate in holiday activities, such as decorating or opening gifts, can also be very meaningful.
• Older Elementary Children: These children may have a better understanding of why their parent is gone, but they still need support to stay connected. Encouraging them to write letters, draw pictures, or create artwork that the deployed parent can display can help them express their feelings. Some families create a “Deployment Scrapbook” where children can add updates, photos, and notes about what they’ve been doing. This can be shared with the deployed parent via care packages or during virtual calls, making it a shared experience that brings everyone together.
• Teens: Teenagers may feel more independent but still deeply miss the presence of a parent during the holidays. Regular virtual check-ins through texts, video chats, or social media can help maintain a connection, especially if they’re given space to express their own experiences and challenges. Engaging teens in planning holiday surprises for the deployed parent, such as recording special videos or compiling family memories, can give them a sense of purpose and closeness, even from afar.

2. Strengthening Marriages During a Deployment

Deployments can take a toll on marriages, but the holiday season offers an opportunity to reaffirm love and commitment. Staying emotionally connected, even from a distance, is crucial to keeping the relationship strong.

• Communication: Consistent, open communication is key. Scheduled video calls can provide a sense of regularity, even if just to catch up on day-to-day life. It’s also important to make time for more intimate conversations where couples can share their hopes, frustrations, and dreams. Sending personalized care packages with thoughtful items, like a favorite snack, a handwritten letter, or holiday decorations, can remind the deployed spouse of home and their partner’s care.
• Shared Traditions: Keeping shared traditions alive, even from a distance, can help spouses feel connected. For example, some couples watch the same holiday movie at the same time, even if they’re miles apart, and text or call each other afterward. Others write 12 Days of Christmas letters, where each spouse sends a letter for 12 consecutive days leading up to Christmas, keeping the connection strong.
• Future Planning: Using the holiday season to talk about future plans—what you’ll do when the deployment is over or how you’ll celebrate together next year—can help both partners feel more secure. Planning for reunification and discussing what both partners hope for when the deployment ends can reduce the stress of reintegration.

3. Building Resilience in Family Relationships

The strength of family relationships during a deployment not only helps loved ones cope with the temporary separation but also builds long-term resilience. This resilience is essential, not only during the deployment but also in the difficult period of reunion and reintegration when the service member returns.

• Support Networks: It is crucial to create a solid support system during the deployment—whether through friends, family, or military spouse groups. Having people to turn to during tough moments helps ease the stress for the family and the deployed service member. The more resilient and supported the family feels the easier it will be to reintegrate and adjust to life when the service member returns.
• Strengthening Bonds: Children who feel connected to their deployed parent during the holidays are more likely to have a smoother adjustment when the parent returns home. Consistent communication and shared traditions foster a sense of continuity that helps them transition through the deployment and beyond. This also applies to the marital relationship—strong emotional bonds during separation lead to a smoother reunion, reducing the tension and potential emotional distance when the deployment ends.
• Resilience in Reintegration: The effort to stay connected and build traditions throughout a deployment pays off when it’s time for reunion. The family has already practiced staying emotionally close, which helps ease the reintegration process. Families who have built resilient relationships are better equipped to handle the shifts in dynamics when the service member returns and life at home resumes a new normal.

While deployments can make the holiday season difficult, there are many ways to stay connected and strengthen family relationships. Whether through virtual calls, shared traditions, or thoughtful gestures, maintaining a sense of togetherness is possible even from a distance. By fostering resilience in these relationships, military families not only support each other during the deployment but also prepare for a smoother reintegration when the service member returns.