If you’ve ever wanted to send something to our troops, but wanted to make sure that you could choose the recipient and send exactly what he or she needed, then you will want to visit the organization: Any Soldier. Any Soldier is a database that puts our troops names in a database. You will be able to select the soldier’s name and view their information. Some of the soldiers have photos but all of the links will bring you to their information, recent messages that they have posted, and a list of the items that they are requesting.

Any Soldier received so many visitors when it began, that they have grown tremendously. When you first visit Any Soldier, you will notice that each branch of the military is designated by a colored letter in front of the names: a green A for Army, a red M for Marines, and a blue A for Air Force. However, with the growth, they have created Any Marine Any Sailor Any Airman. Once you visit the page, you simply click on the top link that says, “Where to Send” and you will pull up the list of the soldier’s names.

Another great feature of Any Soldier, is that when you click on the soldier’s name, you will be able to see how many times that soldier’s address has been requested. This is a great way to ensure that you pick a soldier who may not have received any packages or mail. You’ll also find that the soldier represents other soldiers as well. It is quite simple, once you view the site and read through the details.

There are also terms of services that must be agreed to before you can receive access to the mailing addresses of the soldiers. So be sure to read the fine print before requesting the soldier’s address. This is a great way to ensure that the items you send to troops reach them. You’ll also notice that the troops put down a list of requested items. Once you find the soldier and the items you would like to send, you’ll find that there is a list of companies on the site that are working with Any Soldier and will provide a discount on those items.

What may be the most amazing thing of all is the most requested item asked by the troops is to receive letters of encouragement. They don’t give out email addresses, but the soldiers desperately want to receive postal letters.

This is a great project that teachers can do with their students as well as church leaders with their groups. Troops love to receive letters of encouragement and by choosing a solider to write to, you can help encourage and support them in their greatest time of need.

Any Soldier and the other organizations allow citizens to support the troops in tangible way. This is a way to show your support in a way that reaches past yellow ribbons, magnets, and bumper stickers. Though those are all great ways of showing support, through Any Soldier you can reach out and touch a soldier through your donations.