November Make a Difference Challenge: Thanking the Troops

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Our children receive help from many people every day: bus drivers, teachers, cafeteria workers, etc. And it probably makes their day or even week to hear “thank you” for their help. 
But there is one group of people our children may not even think about thanking, the men and women in the military who serve all over the world.

This month is a time for considering all we are thankful for as well as remembering those who protect, serve, and allow us to enjoy the freedoms we do.

This month’s challenge is to write a thank you letter to a soldier, veteran or a military family.

Here are some tips for writing a letter to a soldier:

• Your letter doesn’t need to be very long.
• Tell your name, age and grade, and where you go to school.
• Tell more about yourself: names of the people in your family, your pets’ names, where you live, your favorites (subject in school, sport, food, book, song, movie, etc.).
• Explain a little about what you’re doing in school.
• Ask the soldier about his life and family: Who’s in your family? What do you do each day? Is it hot or cold where you are? What does the country look like? What do you do when you’re not on duty?
• Thank him or her for serving in the military. Share something specific that you are proud of a soldier for.
• Wish them a safe return.
• Draw or send a picture of something.
• Don’t forget to sign your name.

Here are some amazing websites that are a great resource and an easy way to accomplish this challenge:

A Million Thanks is a year-round campaign to show appreciation for U.S. military men and women, past and present, for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to our country through letters, emails, cards, and prayers.

Let’s Say Thanks is a very easy to use service to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women.

All you have to do is click on your favorite postcard design (hand drawn by kids) and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note. The postcards are then printed and mailed in care packages by military support organization Give2TheTroops^®.

Thank a Soldier was launched at the end of December 2008, and its Facebook group now has over 4.1 Million members. Put simply, their goal is to encourage people from all over the world to say “Thank You” when you cross paths with a member of our military, whether you do so in person, or send messages of thanks to men and women serving on operations throughout the world. It’s great for anyone anywhere in the world!

Show our military and veterans that we appreciate them and the sacrifices they give to keep us free, whether they are from Canada, USA, Britain, or any member of the UN Coalition. Whether you support what they are doing or not, keep in mind these brave men and women leave their families at home and make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

It is important that we share these feelings of gratitude with our children and remind ourselves about the many freedoms we enjoy and those who defend our freedoms every day!

About Chantelle Adams

Chantelle lives in beautiful British Columbia with her husband and their four children. Together they enjoy many adventures, boating, skiing, motor-biking, camping and hiking, to name a few. But the little things are just as important: the pillow fights, dancing around the house, the late-night talks and snuggling up together to read a good book.

Her passion is educating kids, parents and educators about leading by example, making a difference, and living a life based on key values. Her company, Foundations for Success, has given her the perfect outlet to share this passion with the world.

Ever since she was a little girl, she has wanted to make a difference in the world and knows that raising four strong, responsible, compassionate children is helping her achieve that dream. Giving back in simple ways is one thing that has drawn her family closer and has provided countless moments of joy. Currently her children are spending their spare time raising money to build a school in Africa with Free the Children. Her desire to make a difference led her to become involved with The Power of Moms as the Director of Family Volunteering.
Motherhood moments that make it all worthwhile are scattered throughout each day and keep her going. The whispered, “I love you, Mom,” the belly-laugh of her four-year-old, and those beautiful moments when her children offer to help without even being asked are simple things that truly make life grand. She is grateful to cross paths with other mothers as we “struggle, laugh, cry and enjoy this journey of motherhood.”