Heroes Waiting
for Adoption
Portraits of Love Extended
[Originally posted in August; reposted to highlight the extension of this fantastic program through December 4]
Volunteer photographers across the country are opening their studios this September to offer free portraits to military families who have a loved one deployed overseas. The portraits will be uploaded to pmdaportraitsoflove.com, and a free print will be sent to the family member in Iraq, Afghanistan or wherever they are deployed around the world. The ultimate goal is to send 10,000 free family portraits.
“This project is the photo industry’s way of giving back to our soldiers, and thanking them for the sacrifices they have made for our country,” said Jerry Grossman, the president of the PMDA who has spearheaded the effort. “Our industry is uniquely qualified to bring an important piece of home to our soldiers, and we’re pleased to be able to organize this effort.”
“It’s incredible how motivating a simple family photograph can be to a soldier who is far from home,” said Soldiers' Angel Toby Nunn, who has served two tours in Iraq. “This volunteer effort is one more way that we can help our soldiers cope with their situation,” he said.
Military family members can find participating photographers in their areas by visiting the Potraits of Love website (in order to attend the portrait session, families will need military IDs). Photographers interested in volunteering their time can also sign up on the site.
Teams & Projects - How to Help
Click here for a list of our many teams and projects!
Adopt a Soldier - Individualized support throughout deployment
Angel Bakers - Homemade treats for the deployed
Blankets of Belief - Showing deployed troops, "We believe in you!"
Blankets of Gratitude - Handcrafted love for hospitalized veterans
Blankets of Hope - Handcrafted comfort for the wounded
Cards Plus Team - Extra TLC for soldiers & families
Chaplain Support Team - Help chaplains support the troops
Community Team Leaders (CTLs) - Representing Soldiers' Angels at home
Eagle Cane Project - Handmade canes for the wounded
First Response Backpacks - Supplies for wounded in-country
Hero Packs - Care packages
K-9 Support - Caring for military working dogs and their handlers
Ladies of Liberty - Extra TLC for deployed females
Letter Writing Team - Personal letters for the deployed
Living Legends - Remembering the fallen and their families
Memorial Portraits - Drawings for families of the fallen
Operation Birthday Cake - Shipping gourmet birthday cakes to deployed troops
Operation Outreach - Supporting families waiting at home
Operation Phone Home - Calling cards
Operation Top Knot - Handmade gifts & virtual baby showers
Scarves - Handmade heat and sand protection
SA Germany - Supporting medevac'd wounded/ill and medical staff at Landstuhl
SOS:Kids - Helping deployed soldiers help local kids
Tank Support - Helping Veterans Travel to Medical Appointments
Valour-IT - Adaptive laptops for the wounded
VA Crochet & Craft - Handmade comfort & dignity for hospitalized Vets
Veterans Support - Assisting veterans facilities
Wounded TLC - Letters and care packages for the wounded
"Just navigating through your site humbles me. Just the concept of how much you do for us brings a tear to our eye. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart." - Anonymous Soldier
May No Soldier Go Unloved
May No Soldier Go Unloved is the first in a series of books chronicling the history of Soldiers' Angels.
Learn more here. Read the literary review!
![]() |
|
(from l-r) Major Chuck Ziegenfuss, Soldiers' Angels founder Patti Patton Bader, Deborah Mullen, and Admiral Michael Mullen at the 2008 Soldiers' Angels gala in Washington DC.
|
![]() |
|
Jessica Scheu, Miss Teen Minnesota International 2009, is a Soldiers' Angel. Since being crowned Miss Teen Minnesota International this year, a position she will hang onto until March 6, the 17-year-old has been promoting her platform – Soldier’s Angels – and its message: “May no soldier go unloved.” In her work with Soldier’s Angels, Scheu adopted a soldier who she corresponds with by writing letters and sending care packages. She also participates in the Ladies of Liberty program, which supports women soldiers during deployment, and the Warriors to Citizens military program based in Farmington. |
















