Supporting our Military and Veterans
AAA Central Penn is proud to honor service members, veterans, and their families through year‑round initiatives that combine practical support with heartfelt appreciation. From connecting deployed troops with loved ones to remembering fallen heroes and uplifting veterans close to home, our efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to those who have served.
Supporting Our Military Families, Furry Friends Included!
AAA Central Penn is proud to stand behind the military community in meaningful, hands‑on ways — and this year, our Lebanon Branch is taking that commitment even further. Kristi Brown, Lebanon Branch Manager, is leading a service project through Leadership Lebanon Valley to support Military Pet Share, a nonprofit that eases financial burdens for active‑duty service members and veterans by providing essential pet‑care items.
Military Pet Share supports nearly 380 pets every month, ensuring that beloved companions have the food, supplies, and care they need — even assisting homeless veterans with pets and helping address basic preventative needs. For many military families, pets are a source of comfort, stability, and emotional support. This program helps keep those bonds strong.
From October 15 to November 15, all 10 AAA Central Penn branches will serve as collection sites for much‑needed items, including:
- Pet food (dog, cat, and small‑animal varieties)
- Treats and toys
- Cat litter
- Chicken feed
- Other new, essential pet‑care supplies
This month‑long drive, timed around Veterans Day, is one way we show gratitude to those who serve — by helping care for the pets who stand loyally by their side. Your donations directly support military families and veterans across Central Pennsylvania, making a real difference in their daily lives.
Together, we can help ensure no service member has to worry about meeting their pet’s basic needs.
Wreaths Across America: Honoring Heroes Together
Each December, AAA Central Penn proudly joins thousands of volunteers across the country to participate in Wreaths Across America, a national day of remembrance dedicated to honoring the men and women who served our nation. Our AAA Cares team gathers at local cemeteries to lay wreaths on veterans’ graves, ensuring their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
This moving tradition is one of our most meaningful volunteer events of the year — and we invite you to be part of it. Whether you attend a ceremony near your home or join the AAA Cares team at one of our coordinated volunteer sites, your presence helps carry forward the mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.
Join AAA Cares at a Volunteer Event
Volunteers who participate with AAA Cares will receive a free thank‑you gift as our appreciation for supporting this important day of service.
2026 Wreaths Across America Volunteer Dates:
- Saturday, December 19, 2026 – Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, PA
- Saturday, December 19, 2026 – Fairview Cemetery, Denver, PA
To volunteer with AAA Cares, email AAACares@aaacp.com and let us know which location you’d like to join.
Find a Ceremony Near You
If you can’t join us at one of our coordinated events, we encourage you to explore ceremonies happening throughout Central Pennsylvania and beyond. Wreaths Across America hosts events at more than 4,000 locations nationwide, offering countless opportunities to honor veterans in your own community. Go to Home – Wreaths Across America and click on ‘Volunteer’ to look up an event near you.
Your participation — whether with AAA Cares or at a ceremony near you — helps ensure every hero is remembered.
Handmade Cards for Local VA Hospitals
AAA Central Penn proudly supports veterans receiving care at our local VA hospitals by collecting handmade cards throughout the year. These cards are delivered for all holidays and observances — from Veterans Day and Memorial Day to Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. Every message of gratitude helps brighten a veteran’s day and reminds them that their service is honored and remembered.
How to Participate
You may drop off your handmade cards at any AAA Central Penn branch during regular business hours. Our teams will ensure they are delivered to local VA facilities in time for upcoming holidays and special events.
What to Include in Your Card
To help make each card meaningful and appropriate, here are a few helpful tips:
- Keep messages positive, respectful, and encouraging
(Examples: “Thank you for your service,” “Thinking of you today,” “Wishing you a wonderful holiday.”) - Avoid personal contact information
(No phone numbers, email addresses, or social media handles.) - Use first names only if signing your card.
- Handwritten notes are especially appreciated — even a few heartfelt sentences make a big impact.
- Feel free to add artwork or decorations
(Patriotic themes, seasonal designs, or simple illustrations are all welcome.) - Avoid political messages or references to military experiences
Keep the focus on appreciation, kindness, and support.
Why It Matters
A simple card can offer comfort, connection, and gratitude to a veteran who may be spending a holiday away from family or navigating a difficult time. Your creativity and compassion help us continue building a culture of care across Central Pennsylvania.
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Give Your Old Phone a New Purpose: Support Cell Phones for Soldiers
In today’s fast-paced world of technology, many of us upgrade our cell phones and tablets every few years, leaving perfectly functional devices unused in drawers. But what if those old devices could serve a greater purpose? Enter Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit organization that turns your unused devices into a lifeline for our troops.
AAA Central Penn collects old handheld devices to save them from going into landfills and donates them to Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit organization. They turn unused devices into a lifeline for our troops. Donate your old phone to give it a noble second life.
What is Cell Phones for Soldiers?
Founded in 2004 by two teenagers, Cell Phones for Soldiers is a national non-profit dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans. The organization collects gently used handheld electronic devices, refurbishes them, and sells them to recycling companies. The proceeds are then used to purchase prepaid international calling cards for troops stationed overseas and veterans faced with emergencies.
What items are accepted?
- Any and all cell phones and smart phones, working or broken.
- Any and all iPads, tablets, and mp3 players, working or broken.
- Chargers for phones, tablets, or mp3 players.
- Any accessories such as cases etc. in their original packaging.
Why Donate?
- Support Our Troops: Your old phone can help a soldier stay connected with loved ones back home.
- Environmental Impact: Recycling phones keeps harmful materials out of landfills.
- Easy and Free: Donating is simple and doesn’t cost you anything.
- Tax Deductible: Your donation may be tax-deductible (consult your tax advisor for details).
- It’s Easy: Bring your old phone to any AAA Central Penn location during regular business hours and hand it to a AAA representative for donation.
- It’s Free: AAA Central Penn will cover all the shipping and handling fees for donating old phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers.
Preparing Your Phone for Donation
Before donating, make sure to:
- Back up any important data
- Remove your SIM card
- Perform a factory reset to erase all personal information
The Impact
Since its inception, Cell Phones for Soldiers has:
- Provided more than 400 million minutes of free talk time
- Recycled over 25 million cell phones
- Mailed approximately 2.5 million calling cards to troops
Your old phone might seem insignificant, but to a soldier far from home, it could mean the world. By donating to Cell Phones for Soldiers, you’re not just recycling a device – you’re helping our troops stay connected to their families and loved ones.
So, the next time you upgrade your phone, remember: your old device has the power to make a soldier’s day brighter. Donate to Cell Phones for Soldiers and give your phone a noble second life.
