Military personnel and their families often seek resources to ease the emotional and financial burdens of deployment. A variety of businesses and nonprofit organizations offer complimentary products, services, and care packages to show appreciation for their service. These programs span categories such as food, entertainment, household goods, and personal care, with many available year-round. The following information details verified freebies and support programs for deployed service members, based on available source data.
Year-Round Freebies for Military Personnel
Several companies provide ongoing freebies to active-duty service members and veterans. These offers are typically available throughout the year and require specific sign-up processes.
BuildASign Welcome Home Banners BuildASign has given away more than 337,000 free Welcome Home Military Banners and Signs since 2008. These banners, valued at over $10 million collectively, are designed for military friends and families to celebrate a loved one’s return from deployment. The program is available year-round. The company states this initiative is a way to say “thank you for their service and sacrifice.”
A Story Before Bed Recording Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are deploying or have already deployed can sign up for a free bedtime story recording from A Story Before Bed. This service allows service members to record a story for their children, which can be accessed remotely. The offer is described as a way to maintain connection during separation and is available all year.
Bridal Gowns for Military Brides Bridal Gowns, in partnership with select bridal salons across the United States, provides free wedding dresses to military brides twice a year. The program operates in July and November at participating bridal boutiques nationwide.
Concert and Event Tickets The Veteran Tickets Foundation offers free and discounted tickets to military members, veterans, and their families. The program collaborates with major sports teams, leagues, promoters, organizations, venues, and ticket holders. Eligible participants include currently serving military, honorably discharged veterans from all branches of service, and family members of those killed in action. Tickets are available year-round.
Homework Tutoring Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, provides free tutoring for eligible college and grades K-12 students in U.S. military families.
Free Admission to Attractions
Some attractions offer complimentary admission to service members.
Legoland Florida Resort U.S. Service Members receive complimentary admission to LEGOLAND Florida Resort & Water Park. This offer is not available online and likely requires in-person verification of military status.
Care Packages and Food Items for Deployed Troops
Multiple organizations send free care packages and food items to deployed service members. These programs help offset the cost of sending personal items and provide comfort during deployment.
Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Dunkin’ Donuts has been known to send coffee to deployed service members. Interested parties must submit the service member’s information along with their own for a chance to receive coffee through a lottery system. To apply, select “military coffee request” from a drop-down menu on the company’s designated link.
Operation Support Our Troops This 4-star Charity Navigator non-profit organization sends care packages to service members who are overseas. Information about a service member can be submitted through the organization’s website.
SeaBear Wild Tuna SeaBear ships crates of wild-caught salmon in ready-to-eat packets through its Treat the Troops program. The crates are sent in quantities sufficient to be shared with an entire unit.
Naper Nuts and Sweets (Operation Caramel Corn) Naper Nuts and Sweets, a business based in Illinois, sends 1,000 bags of caramel corn per week to deployed troops. Individuals can request that a service member be placed on the recipient list. The business also provides an option for the public to donate funds to the project, allowing others to contribute by funding additional bags.
Nuts.com Nuts.com sends care packages to deployed troops. To add a loved one to the recipient list, individuals must email the company’s customer service with the service member’s name and address.
Other Support Programs and Free Items
Additional organizations provide non-food items and services to deployed troops and their families.
Teddy Bears for the Troops Teddy Bears for the Troops is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that sends care packages to deployed military personnel. Each package includes toiletries, cookies, a teddy bear, and a pillowcase. The organization has also sent supplies, including teddy bears, to disaster zones such as Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. As of January 2020, over 1,800 bears had been sent to deployed military members.
Dogtags For Kids This organization provides free engraved dog tags for service members in high-conflict areas. The service members can then mail these tags home to their children as mementos.
Books a Million Books a Million offers a program that provides free books to deployed service members. To enroll a service member, interested parties can follow the process outlined on the organization’s website.
Operation EBook Drop This Facebook page maintains a running list of free ebooks available for download, including special offers tailored for service members.
Operation Paperback Operation Paperback sends books to deployed service members as a form of diversion and entertainment during deployment. Service members can get on the recipient list through the organization’s process.
Important Considerations and Limitations
While these programs are designed to support military personnel, it is important to note that availability, eligibility requirements, and shipping policies may vary. Some programs, such as the Legoland admission offer, are not available online and may require in-person verification. Others, like the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee lottery, involve a chance-based selection process.
Individuals seeking assistance should review the specific terms and conditions for each program. The source data indicates that direct contact with each organization is the best way to address questions or issues, as the author of the original content is not affiliated with these programs and cannot troubleshoot on their behalf.
Conclusion
A range of businesses and nonprofit organizations provide free products, services, and care packages to deployed service members and their families. These offers include year-round freebies such as welcome home banners, story recordings, and event tickets, as well as periodic programs like free bridal gowns. For deployed troops, organizations send essential care packages containing food, books, and personal items. While these resources can provide meaningful support, interested individuals should verify program details directly with the providers to understand eligibility and application processes.