http://www.afrtrust.org/Coast-Guarg-...Assistance.pdf
there are many legitimate relief trusts for returning military personnel who need cash for relearning a trade, supporting their families and paying their rent. while they were away taking care of you their lives were turned upside down. i don't feel that a quilt will help them. they need services that money pays for. the money doesn't come from the government. it has to come from you.
the pie chart above is an example of what you can find for any branch of the military, or any other charity that you like. just google funding pie chart.
if you want to make sure the help goes where it should, fill a sack with groceries and leave it on a doorstep. it doesn't take long to spend $20, $50 or more for basic pantry items and they really help a family free up money for other necessities.
it's very easy to do what you like to do anyway and call it charity whether it's what's most needed or not, imo
i go with Bear.