About Operation Comfort Warriors

As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have drawn to a close, many servicemembers left the battlefield only to be faced with a new fight: a struggle to overcome the mental and physical wounds suffered during deployment. Those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) returned home in unprecedented numbers. In fact, the Army has estimated that up to 20 percent of the men and women who served in Afghanistan or Iraq have suffered a TBI. Even when not at war, those in the military still face inherent dangers during training exercises and while performing other hazardous duties.

While the care at many military hospitals and warrior transition units is extraordinary, The American Legion's Operation Comfort Warriors program was created to provide nonessential items that help wounded warriors recover but don't usually show up as a budget line on government spreadsheets.

How it Works

Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) is an officially recognized program of The American Legion Charities Inc., and its purpose is to assist wounded, injured, or ill active-duty military personnel and veterans by providing morale-enhancing gifts to warrior transition units, VA, and DoD medical care facilities, military installations, and 501 (c)(3) and (c)(19) organizations which are part of The American Legion Family or such nonprofit entities sponsored by an American Legion entity.

How Recipients Benefit

Ensuring the health and morale of those currently serving and the well-being of Veterans are essential to the purposes of this program. The Legion provides items and services through programs and entities that provide aid and comfort services to the recipients and their families. Through its support of warrior transition units, VA and DoD medical care facilities The American Legion demonstrates to these recipients that those that have come before them will continue to stand by them in their service to our great nation.

Family is an enormous part of the recovery process. Event grants may include a recipient’s family. Through an event grant OCW can provide outings to amusement parks and other outdoor activities such as sporting events and fishing trips where recipients are encouraged to bring their immediate family to enjoy a day away from the hospital, therapy, or the daily grind of living with their newly found limitations and recharge themselves.

How You Can Help

The American Legion strongly prefers that monetary donations be made as most military, and VA medical centers are not equipped to store large quantities of care packages. The monetary donation allows for the donation to be expedited for items to be purchased and delivered to our wounded warriors and Veterans.

How to donate

Click here to contribute a donation electronically.

Checks may be mailed to:

Operation Comfort Warriors
The American Legion
5745 Lee Road
Indianapolis, IN 46216.

How to raise money

A fundraiser such as a motorcycle run or a fish fry can be a great way to gather donations. A local Legion post, auxiliary unit, Sons of The American Legion squadron, Legion Riders chapter, church group or other charitable organization could assist in holding a fundraiser. Proceeds from a fundraising event can be donated to the Legion via the website or mailing address listed above.