Operation Comfort Warriors has raised more than $500,000 to provide comfort items for wounded U.S. troops in military hospitals around the world. In February 2010, the program received first-place honors in the Pepsi Refresh Everything grant competition and raised $250,000 thanks to online voting by Legionnaires and their friends.
All donated dollars are used to purchase items. None of the money is used for administrative or promotional expenses.
The National Security/Foreign Relations staff at the Legion’s Washington office works with the American Red Cross and various military hospitals to coordinate the program.
Comfort items provided include sweatsuits, puzzles, video games, DVDs, iTunes gift cards, hats, gloves, portable electronics, laptops, and a biofeedback system for the Madigan Army Hospital at Fort Lewis, Wash.
The American Legion has delivered comfort items to Walter Reed; Bethesda; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Portsmouth, Va.; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; Twentynine Palms, Calif.; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Gordon, Ga.; Fort Knox, Ky.; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Dix, N.J.; Fort Belvoir, Va.; Fort Lee, Va.; and Landstuhl, Germany, among others.
Featured Image Courtesy of the American Legion