Happy Veterans Day! Today has always been a very important day in my life, because my grandfather was a veteran. He served in the Philippine Armed Forces which aided the United States military and was recognized as an American veteran. I was raised by him and the values that he taught me have been forever ingrained in me.
My grandfather taught me to respect others, help whenever you can help and he also taught me kindness by example. He was proud to have served his country and ours, and I have always been proud to have him as my grandfather.
Today, I salute all those who have served, are serving and their families. They do what they do for the greater good, for us. And here’s how we can help them. Here are powerful ways to honor and support veterans.
Volunteer your time
Wounded Warrior Project
www.woundedwarriorproject.org
The nonprofit focuses on raising awareness and enlisting the public’s help to fulfill the needs of injured service members and their families. You can assist by hosting a supporter event, sending letters to wounded veterans or making a contribution to help provide rehabilitation, activities and career counseling for wounded warriors.
Source: Military Times
Visit a veteran at a hospital or facility
VA Voluntary Service
www.volunteer.va.gov
Founded in 1946, the VAVS provides for our nation’s veterans while they undergo care at VA facilities. Volunteers are needed to serve as drivers and companions and to assist staff with end-of-life care programs and foster care and in hospital wards, nursing homes and veteran outreach centers.
Offer a disabled veteran a ride
Disabled American Veterans
www.dav.org
Services offered to disabled veterans and their families since 1920 include help with disability assistance, VA pensions and job programs. While donations and gifts are needed, you can also help by volunteering at Veterans Affairs hospitals or serving as a driver to transport vets to their medical appointments.
Participate in a challenge
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
www.fallenpatriots.org
Founded in 2002, the foundation provides college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. You can participate in the #DropAndGiveMe10 Challenge by posting a video of yourself doing push-ups in honor of fallen patriots and donating some amount to the foundation for every successful push-up — and then challenge three others to do the same. Or you can contribute panels to a charity knitting/crocheting project to raise awareness of the foundation’s mission.
Donate your frequent flyer miles or hotel points
Fisher House Foundation
www.fisherhouse.org
Fisher House operates a network of homes at major military and VA medical centers nationwide where military and veterans’ families can stay for free while a loved one is receiving medical treatment. It also operates a Hero Miles program and a Hotels for Heroes program that accept donated frequent flier airline miles and hotel points to help veterans’ family members travel to their bedside and stay at a hotel for free.
Hire veterans and their family members
Hire Heroes USA
www.hireheroesusa.org
Hire Heroes USA provides job training for veterans from other vets who have business experience. If you own a business, you can become an employment partner. Or you can volunteer to assist with mock interviews, fundraising, career counseling or outreach to veterans and their spouses.
Source: WWE
Support businesses with veterans programs
Frontier Communications
www.frontier.com
Frontier Communications prioritizes hiring veterans and members of their families and are proud that 13% of their workforce and military veterans and reservists. They’ve partnered with organizations like The WorkPlace and Joining Forces to help prepare veterans for new and challenging careers.
Write a letter of gratitude
Operation Gratitude
www.operationgratitude.com
This organization says thank you to veterans, wounded warriors and their caregivers as well as active-duty personnel by sending care packages that include snacks, hygiene supplies and handmade items. You can also join its letter-writing campaign, expressing gratitude to veterans for their service.
Escort a veteran on a flight or greet them at the airport
Honor Flight Network
www.honorflight.org
The nonprofit organization flies veterans to Washington for free so that they can visit memorials built in their honor. Top priority is given to World War II survivors, along with veterans who may be terminally ill. You can volunteer to escort the vets on the flight or greet them at airport departures and arrivals.
Source: Honor Flight Network
Help build them a home
Homes for Our Troops
www.homesforourtroops.org
Started in February 2004, this nonprofit organization builds and adapts homes nationwide for servicemen and servicewomen who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq with disabilities. The site seeks monetary donations, as well as contributions of land, to expand the number of the handful of projects under way. Organizers work with contractors, home material manufacturers and corporate partners to raise funds and provide materials for building projects.
This post is sponsored by Frontier Communications, all opinions are my own. Thank you so much to my amazing sponsors that continue to support my blog!
