11 Ways You Can Support Veterans | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

11 Ways You Can Support Veterans

Because “Thank You” just isn’t enough.

10
11 Ways You Can Support Veterans
Quicken Loans

Every year on November 11, Americans come together on Veterans Day to celebrate and honor our military members—living or dead—who have dedicated their lives to serving our country.

Veterans often return home from war or peacetime yet to face their most difficult battles. There are millions of simple ways to help veterans and show your appreciation for their sacrifice. Because the number 11 is so important to the holiday, here are 11 ways you can show your support for the more than 23 million American veterans:

1. Send a care package or a letter

Channel your best Noah from The Notebook and write 365 letters (okay, a few will suffice) to the military community. You can also create an awesome military-themed care package if you’re feeling crafty one day. The thought, time and effort that goes into both of these things will go a long, long way.

2. Foster a veteran's pet

So everyone knows you’re either #TeamCatLover or #TeamDogPerson, so why not express that love by taking care of a veteran’s pet? You can foster a veteran’s pet or donate money to help veterans care for their furry loved ones through Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet.

3. Pick up their tab

See a man or woman in uniform dining at a restaurant? Tell a waiter that you want to pay for their meal. Split the cost with your friends and it will be even more of an affordable, yet extremely thoughtful, act of appreciation.

4. Share their stories

Know a veteran with an interesting story? Share it with Veteran’s History Project so that future generations can hear straight from veterans to better depict the realities of war.

5. Donate your business clothes

Still holding on to the suit or blouse your mom made you buy a few years back? Give your closet some extra space and donate your business attire to help a transitioning service member look their best at work. You can even host a suite drive through Save A Suit if you want to get your community involved.

6. Keep veterans off the streets

Unfortunately, it’s still a reality that many of our veterans live on the streets or are at risk of becoming homeless. Pick up the phone and call877-4AID-VET, or 877-424-3838, to be connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week with help at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

7. Run with (or cheer for) a veteran

Get active with military members! You can participate in inclusive sporting events or teach a class on fitness that everyone can do. Even if you “don’t do sports,” you can still cheer on our veterans to show your support.


8. Help veterans stay in touch

You know those videos you’ve seen of families’ reactions to when their loved ones come home from serving? Give those families a smaller dose of that feeling by creating blank cards to send to military members so that they can write home to say "Hi." You can do this through Operation Write Home.

9. Nominate a family to win a decorated home

With the start of the holiday season, nominate a veteran and their family to have their home “pimped out” (yeah, I said it) by Christmas Décor. Being home for the holidays will be even better with a giant reindeer blowup in their lawns.


10. Deliver a meal to veterans

Host a potluck at your local community center and invite all veterans to enjoy a night off from cooking. You can also use Meal Train to send food to someone you think would appreciate it.

11. Say "Thank You"

It may be simple, but it will make an impact. There are so many veterans who don’t hear the words “thank you” often, so the next time you see a man or woman in uniform, show your appreciation.

Every veteran has made an enormous sacrifice for their love of the country. As we celebrate our veterans on November 11, remember the infinite things you can do to show your appreciation.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1320
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2740
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2800
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments