US Navy related charities for a Memorial Gift

August 29, 2008 8:01 AM

The son of a dear friend passed away unexpectedly yesterday, from complications following minor surgery. This young man was serving in the US Navy on a sub, and now we are looking for a Navy-related charity we could make a donation to in memory of this young man. Suggestions?
posted by anastasiav to Grab Bag (6 answers total)

If you don't get an answer here, look up his or your local (or any, really) naval base on the internet or in the phone book and find the protocol or public relations officer contact information. Making suggestions like this is part of that officer's job.

(The website for local installation around here has a blank space where the public relations officer's phone number should be. In that case, I would call the Morale Welfare and Recreation Office instead.)
posted by crush-onastick at 8:19 AM on August 29, 2008

Soldiers' Angels or AnySailor.com.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:22 AM on August 29, 2008 [2 favorites]

The US Navy Memorial might be a good choice.
posted by nkknkk at 8:37 AM on August 29, 2008

Without a doubt, the biggest impact would be to the Navy Fleet and Family Support Center

These guys saved me when I was in a tight spot....horrible customer service, but a lifesaver when needed.....
posted by TeachTheDead at 8:46 AM on August 29, 2008

Many school districts and colleges offer you the opportunity to establish a scholarship or award. You donate whatever amount you have and then they fundraise till they can top up the fund to whatever is necessary to establish the award. You can generally name the award and the terms. So you could have the "John Doe Naval Award" for a graduating senior intent on a career in the navy or what-have-you. The nice thing is that you get to help people on an ongoing basis and you can even take part in choosing the recipients. And the award goes on in perpetuity.
posted by acoutu at 10:45 AM on August 29, 2008

The Fleet and Family Support Center is an actual Navy command - I don't know if they're set up to take donations directly but they'll frequently send sailors over to Navy and Marine Corps Relief for financial assistance. They provide interest free loans or grants for most kinds of financial problems (including things like funding for emergency leave and funeral expenses).
posted by macfly at 11:23 AM on August 29, 2008