Military families, particularly spouses of deployed service members, often seek accessible resources and complimentary items to ease the challenges of separation and financial strain. The available documentation highlights a variety of programs offering free goods and services by mail, ranging from care packages and baby supplies to educational tools and homecoming banners. These initiatives are generally facilitated by non-profit organizations, government entities, and corporate partners, often requiring interaction through Unit Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) or direct online applications.
Childbirth and Baby Support
Expectant mothers and families with young children are a primary focus for several support networks. These programs aim to provide essential items during deployments, which can often coincide with pregnancy or the early stages of parenthood.
Baby Blankets and Quilts Military Families Ministry distributes free baby blankets and quilts. These items are sent to Unit Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) for distribution to expectant mothers whose spouses are deployed. Interested families should coordinate with their local FRG to access these resources.
Baby Carriers The Carrying On Project provides free baby carriers to military families. The organization’s stated goal is to facilitate secure attachments between children and caregivers, addressing interruptions caused by deployment or injuries. The practice of baby-wearing is intended to make parenting easier for families during separation.
Baby Showers and Gifts Operation Shower organizes baby showers for military families expecting a baby during or immediately following a deployment. Eligibility requires a spouse/partner who is currently deployed or deploying during the pregnancy, active duty status with a deploying group, or a spouse injured during deployment. All branches of service are eligible. Participants may receive a "Shower in a Box" containing donated goodies. While applicants are contacted if a shower is available in their area, attendance is not guaranteed.
Operation Top Knot, a resource from Soldier’s Angels, offers support to infants and pregnant mothers navigating deployments.
Additionally, Military Families Ministry offers baby gifts and resources listed via a specific link, and Support Military Spouses provides shoeboxes filled with donated goodies, including encouraging cards, New Testaments, jewelry, body wash, and coupons (such as a free cookie from Chick-Fil-A). These shoeboxes are distributed to spouses of active duty military, often delivered through the readiness center on base. They also provide Pampering Packs, Caring Cards, devotionals, financial help, and occupational opportunities.
Mail Services and Postage Benefits
Sending correspondence and packages to deployed service members is a vital connection for families. While service members can send personal correspondence free of postage from designated combat areas, a reciprocal free postage benefit for families sending mail to troops does not currently exist as a universal policy.
Legislative Efforts and Current Subsidies Various legislative attempts have been made to establish free postage for families sending mail to deployed troops. For example, H.R. 1935 proposed issuing monthly postage vouchers to deployed personnel in Afghanistan or Iraq, which they could give to individuals in the U.S. to mail letters or parcels. Previous bills, such as H.R. 2874 (the Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2005), proposed providing service members with special stamps to send to families or charities, allowing them to mail items up to 10 pounds without postage.
Currently, the federal government subsidizes the postage paid by individuals sending mail to troops. Senders are charged only for the domestic portion of the delivery, while the Department of Defense covers the cost of moving the mail from the U.S. to troops overseas. Additionally, since October 2008, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has offered a discounted package service for families sending packages to members of the Armed Services stationed overseas.
Care Package Supplies To assist families in sending these packages, the USPS provides a free Military Care Package Kit. This kit is available for ordering online and includes address labels, customs forms, Priority Mail tape, and six boxes. This resource is specifically noted as helpful for spouses of deployed service members.
Homecoming and Family Reunion Resources
Welcoming a service member home is a significant event, and specific freebies exist to help families celebrate this occasion.
Welcome Home Banners BuildASign (via BuildASign Troops) has offered free Welcome Home Military Banners and Signs since 2008. These banners are intended for military friends and families to use for loved ones returning from deployment. The program allows users to design custom banners and upload photos. While the banners themselves are free, recipients are responsible for paying the shipping costs. BuildASign reports having given away over 337,000 banners worth more than $10 million.
Educational and Professional Resources
Access to education and professional development tools is another area where free resources are available to military spouses and families.
Tutoring and Training Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, provides free homework tutoring. This program is available to eligible college and K-12 students in the U.S. military community.
The USO, in partnership with Skillsoft, offers active-duty members, spouses, and veterans free unlimited access to a library of training and certification tools.
Bridal Gowns Brides Across America partners with select bridal salons to provide free wedding dresses to military brides. This offer is available twice a year, specifically in July and November, at participating boutiques nationwide.
Entertainment and Leisure
Opportunities for leisure and entertainment are also available through various foundations and corporate partners.
Concert and Event Tickets The Veteran Tickets Foundation collaborates with sports teams, leagues, promoters, and venues to provide free and discounted tickets to military members and veterans. Eligibility extends to currently serving military, honorably discharged veterans, and families of those Killed In Action.
Amusement Park Admissions Legoland Florida Resort & Water Park offers complimentary admission to U.S. Service Members. This offer is noted as not being available online, implying it must be redeemed in person or through specific on-site verification.
Digital and Recording Services
For families separated by deployment, maintaining a connection through media is valuable.
Story Recordings A Story Before Bed offers free recording services for deploying or deployed Armed Forces members to create recordings for their children. This offer is available year-round.
Financial and Stress Management Resources
While not physical goods, downloadable guides regarding financial management are frequently listed alongside freebie resources.
Debt Management Guides Several sources mention a "Feel Less Stress While Paying Off Debt" downloadable guide. This free resource is intended to help individuals achieve peace and reduce stress while managing debt.
Conclusion
The landscape of freebies for military wives and families sent by mail is diverse, covering essential baby supplies, homecoming celebrations, educational tools, and entertainment. Access to these resources is often managed through Unit Family Readiness Groups or direct application to non-profit organizations. While postage benefits for sending mail to troops are subsidized rather than fully free, the USPS provides free packing supplies to facilitate these communications. Families are encouraged to utilize these verified programs to alleviate the financial and emotional burdens of deployment.