Disney Armed Forces Salute Discounts to Theme Park & Rooms for Military {Renewed through 2015}

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If you are military, here is some good news – Disney has announced that the latest prices for the Armed Forces Salute Discount (which gives military families the ability to buy multiple day tickets at discounted rates) have been renewed.

The resorts that offer discount rates include the Orlando and Anaheim locations.

Walt Disney in Orlando, Florida

  • 40% off Deluxe Resorts
  • 35% off Moderates & Fort Wilderness Cabins
  • 30% off Value resorts including Art of Animation (with some exceptions)

Disneyland in Anaheim, California

  • 40% off at The Grand Californian
  • 35% off at The Disney Hotel
  • 30% off at The Paradise Pier

You can read in depth details on this promotion on the Military Disney Tips page here. (this page is a great one for keeping bookmarked if you are not familiar with the Military Disney program).

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Operation Gratitude: Write Letters to Support the Troops (Great for Classrooms)

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This is a great resource to share since we’re at the beginning of the school year. It would be a great class project.

I have posted several ways you can show your thanks to the troops, from donating to Operation Gratitude, to sending their family expired coupons – this post today is one that you help our children support the Military.

Operation Gratitude encourages classrooms to write letters to those who are serving – teachers can engage the students as a part of a classroom project in Civics, History, Social Studies, Writing Skills, Art and Grammar.

You can include first names only, the school name, address, and classroom/grade, and send in a large envelope or box to:

Operation Gratitude
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406

Operation Gratitude sends thousands of care packages each year to troops, Wounded Warriors & Veterans – letters are probably the most meaningful way you can show your support. Read more about their project here.

 

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Military Assistance Mission Back to School Brigade for Phoenix & Yuma | Register NOW for July 26th

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We have another Back to School Fair tomorrow – this one is for Military. Please feel free to share.

Military Assistance Mission has a Back to School Brigade Mission on Saturday, July 26th – the event is open to ALL Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve in ALL Branches,  E6 and Below.   The event will be held in Phoenix and Yuma, Tucson is now closed for registration.

Your child must be registered in DEERS and an ID Card Holder must be present. Register HERE and print out your ticket.

You can see location, times and details by heading here.

Photo Credit
Thanks, Rachel!

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Operation: Love Reunited | FREE Photography Session for Families of Deployed Soldiers

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If you or someone you know is a military family, you can score FREE Photography Sessions and Photo Gifts with an offer called Operation: Love Reunited.

Operation Love Reunited is a Non-Profit that set up families dealing with deployment, with a photographer located worldwide. They capture a photography session for those who are going to be deployed, who are deployed or for those who are returning from a deployment.

  • Pre-Deployment or Deployed – 15 4×6 Prints and 2 Dog Tag Necklaces
  • Homecomings:  15 Images with Print rights up to 4×6

How it works

OpLove captures sessions for those loved ones that are in pre-deployment, and mid-deployment – they will send the prints from the session directly to your loved one overseas.

They will also coordinate with you when your loved one arrives from deployment – to capture the homecoming in a unique photo session that you will score in 15 digital images.

You can read their page for more details and share if you or someone you know is experiencing a deployment within their family.

Session Request

Head over & request a session by completing the Session Request form here; you can also check the OpLove Photographer Map to determine if there is a photographer near to you.

If you are a Photographer that would love to be part of their endeavor you can apply on their site here for a small subscription fee.

Photo Credit: Operation: Love Reunited

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Supporting the Military Through Expired Coupons

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Expired CouponsThose of you who are new to my site may be curious as to what you should do with any coupons that you might not be able to use, that expire – and the great news is that we can use them to support the troops.

For military families who relocate overseas to various locations…the transition can be very diffic

ult.  Enlisted soldiers and their families may find stretching their dollars a real challenge, even more so then those who are based in this country.

We can send those families our expired coupons or….sending them to cooperatives (co-ops) around the nation who can pass them along.

There are several military family support centers overseas who offer coupon exchanges. The military commissaries (grocery stores) overseas accept manufacturer’s cents-off coupons for up to six months past their printed expiration dates.

Some tips for gathering those coupons:

  • Cut and trim the sides of the coupons.
  • Separate the coupons into two major categories - Food (for humans) and Non-Food (pet food would be non-food). Place them in large sealed freezer bags and label.
  • Attach a dollar total of the coupons onto the bag.
  • Prior to sending your coupons, you may want to touch base with whom you are sending them to, to make certain that they do not have any other preferences for you to follow.

I would highly suggest heading over to the Facebook Page “Expired Coupons for Overseas Military” – they can match you up with a military member overseas so that you can send that family your coupons.

You can also join us on our Facebook Community where several of our readers do participate in our couponing adventures all the way from overseas in Japan- who would be happy to be the receiving end of your expired coupons as well.

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Military | FREE 5×7 Softcover Photo Book

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Many of us did this last year  – and the offer is still available…what a great way to show your love for a Soldier!

You can head on over here to create a 20-page personal photo book and ship it to any APO, FPO, or MPO address for free.

These full-color, 5×7 softcover books fit perfectly in a soldier’s cargo pocket, yet hold over 60 photos. RocketLife prints the books for free, and the USO pays for shipping.

1. Fill out the form to get your promo code and a link to launch the RocketLife software.
2. Load your pictures and see them transformed into amazing layouts.

Please, if you have friends and family who are military feel free to share this post/offer with them – I know firsthand how difficult it is to have a loved one stationed abroad (whether deployed or on a regular duty station) – something like this can mean the world to that person.

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Armed Forces Vacations: 7-Night Space-A Stays $299 Sale (Select Locations Worldwide)

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Armed Forces Vacation Club is running another sale on their 7-night Space-A Stays for $299 through 7/15 only!  If you are a veteran or in the service and you plan on taking a family vacation in the next 12 months, this is a great way to save on lodging.

You can see HERE for list – click “Preview Resorts” on the left side of the screen.

The recipient has 12 months from date of purchase to redeem, which is reflected on the “Book By” date printed on the RVC.  They have locations in the US, Europe, South America, the Caribbean + more.

Not all areas have $299 offer, but many do.   They do book up fast…… and you are not required to stay for the 7 days but you will pay $299 for the 7 days regardless of how long you choose to stay.

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Operation Homefront: FREE School Supplies for Military Children {Register Now}

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Today kicks off the 8th Season of Operation Homefront’s Back to School Brigade – a nationwide school supply collection campaign for Military Families.

Dollar Tree starts setting out Barrels at their stores today, 7/9 through 8/15 – at over 5,000 locations… They will be collecting school supplies – you can help by donating at your local Dollar Tree, by making a tax-deductible donation, volunteering, and also help by requesting a collection bin at your church, office or school as well.

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There are many locations across the U.S. – those above are just a few!

Distribution events for FREE (Limited) School Supplies & Backpacks are scheduled at locations all across the United States – click on the MORE to see the details in the area near to you, and to register your children.

Supplies are limited – if you or someone you know is a military family and in the area noted here, make sure you register early so you can pick up FREE school supplies.

Once your registration is complete you will receive a confirmation email.  This program is for military dependent children only and identification of all children registered will be required the day of the event.

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Travel Centers of America: Veterans and Active Duty Eat FREE on July 4th {Participating Full Service Restaurants}

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If you follow Travel centers of America on Facebook or Twitter, (or if you don’t) you may want to take note of this if you are a Veteran, or Active Duty.

They are offering a FREE Meal at Participating Full Service Restaurants with Proof of Service on July 4th – at any TA Travel Center.

As with any freebie offer, valid Identification is required.

See more Weekend FREEbies for the 4th in my last post.

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FREE National Parks & Federal Recreation Lifetime Lands Pass for Disabled, U.S. Military & Volunteers

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If you frequent our National Parks throughout the year with your family, you can score an Annual Pass for as low as FREE depending on what your status is.

If you are Military, or Disabled you can score a FREE National Parks & Federal Recreation Lifetime Lands Pass .. the same pass is also FREE for Disabled, and those who have Volunteered 250 + hours.

The Access Pass admits pass owner/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas and pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where per-person fees are charged. (Children under 16 are always admitted free.)

Military: Obtain FREE Annual Pass – You can apply in person here to pick up a pass… read here for more.

Disabled:  Obtain FREE Lifetime Pass -  You can apply in person here to pick up a pass…. read here for more.  Access passes can be obtained through postal mail for a fee of $10.

Volunteers: Obtain FREE Annual Pass with 250 hours of Volunteer service with an agency that is part of the Program… read here for more.

For any pass, you can apply in person here.. and bringing the required documentation along with you to request.

Support our Deployed Troops | Reminder to Link your Fry’s VIP Card to Packages from Home

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I posted this last month – but if you missed it, please take a minute to link your Fry’s card today and help out this local Organization based in Arizona.

Over the last few months, I have shared many ways you can help support the Soldiers who serve, and their families who support them.

From Donating your Expired Coupons, to Writing Letters (which is great for Classrooms!), to using your Stockpile to send Care Packages to those who serve overseas, there are many ways you can show your support.

You can also show your support by linking your Fry’s VIP Card to Packages from Home. Packages from Home is a Non-Profit that is dedicated to Service Men & Women overseas.  I worked with them when I was in Army Recruiting and they really are some special folks – because Dave & I both served, these opportunities to give back are very special to both of us.

By following the instructions to link your card here, you can connect your card with their organization – and they, in turn, will receive a percentage of your total shopping bill. You will need to have an email address to link your card, and you can see the instructions by heading to their page.

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Packages from Home was a grassroots effort to support who serve troops who are deployed – at no cost to them. They collect donated items from generous people willing to donate – you can see a list of items requested here… and a list of Drop Off Locations HERE as well.

Monetary donations and the small portion they receive from your grocery spending goes to mailing costs to send items to the troops.

More Military Related Posts:

JCPenney: FREE 8×10 Portrait for Military + Traditional Sheets just $3.99

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If you, or someone you know is military, you can score a FREE 8×10 with FREE Sitting Fees at JCPenney.

And, additional portrait sheets are just $3.99 (reg. $10)- through 7/9. The offer is limited to one per family, per day and is not valid with any other offer.

You will need to print this coupon and present valid Military ID to redeem.

Don’t forget this other offer:

Homefront Hugs: Supporting Wounded Warriors & Medical Heroes

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6-1113tm-vector2-3978Over the last few months, I have shared many ways you can help support the Soldiers who serve, and their families who support them.

From Donating your Expired Coupons, to Writing Letters (which is great for Classrooms!), linking your Fry’s VIP card to Packages from Home, to using your Stockpile to send Care Packages to those who serve overseas, there are many ways you can show your support.

You can also help to support the Wounded Soldiers who are seeking treatment both stateside AND those being treated overseas in our medical hospitals.

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Operation Healing Angel is a program that helps to serve wounded heroes and their medical staff in the war zone, and also those treated stateside.

Not only do they collect care packages for those wounded, and their medical caretakers, they also encourage the public to offer comfort through cards and letters.

Although Walter Reed may not accept cards & letters, many hospitals and wounded being cared for at home are open to receiving them – and it would be a great activity for your children, or even for your classroom (if you are a teacher).

In addition to cards and letters, the following items are also appreciated:

  • Flameless Candles for staff and Wounded Heroes
  • Humorous & Spiritual Books to boost morale while they are healing
  • Body Lotion and/or Hand Cream for the nurses and tech personnel
  • Chapstick and/or Lip Gloss for Medical Staff and Patients (which happens due to medication and also cold winter weather)
  • And angel pins for Wounded Heroes & their Staff
  • Pens or Lanyards
  • Drawings, or Banners from Students, or Children
  • Dry Erase Boards and Pens for Communication
  • iTunes Gift Cards
  • Soft Slippers or Socks

Writing a letter or sending a card is more than just signing and sending it off – it’s about giving thanks to those who are suffering from both the Physical and Emotional Toll the War has led them through. Many of them suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, some are battling Physical Wounds as well.

You can send cards, letters and packages to:

Homefront Hugs, USA
Operation Healing Angel (OHA)
1850 Brookfield Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Operation Healing Angel is a 100% Volunteer Organization and although they are not tax deductible, they do work tirelessly to send packages to the troops from what is sent to them – 100% of your monetary donations goes to shipping those boxes to troops (and you can donate here).

Picture Credit: Homefront Hugs

Blue Star Museums: FREE Admission for Military (May 26th – Labor Day)

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If you are military you can score FREE Admission to participating Blue Star Museums this year.

First launched in the summer of 2010, Blue Star Museums once again are offering free admission to military personnel and their families starting May 26, and going through Labor Day, 2014.

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To see a list of participating museums in Arizona take a stroll on over HERE – the list is not restricted to just Art Museums, but history museums and more – Arizona only has a few participating museums on the list:

Fountain Hills

Lake Havasu City

  • Lake Havasu Museum of History – Free admission (Usually 4.00 Adults Kids 12 and under Free) to service personnel as outlined by the Blue Star Program.

Tempe

Tucson

  • AHS Arizona History Museum – 50% off with one military ID or 2 for the price of 1 admission.
  • MOCA Tucson – MOCA Tucson always offers free admission for active duty military and veterans, public safety officers, and children under 17.
  • Tohono Chul Park – Reduced admission at all times for active duty military.

The program is available for active duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve members and up to five immediate family members; just bring a valid Military ID.

Big Surf: FREE Admission for Military {May 17th}

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If you are in Arizona, more than likely your kiddos have been asking to go to the Waterpark…. mine have, so they’ll be thrilled to know we can go Saturday.

Coming up is Armed Forces Weekend –  This weekend, military can score FREE Admission to Big Surf with proper identification.

Big Surf:  May 17th
All Active and Retired Military members will receive COMPLIMENTARY/FREE admission with proper identification!

All others can score 50% off when you bring 5 items to donate for St. Mary’s Food bank Alliance.