5 Ways to Give Back to Veterans this #GivingTuesday
We often hear people talk about wanting to do more to support Veterans in Los Angeles, but with so much need, it can often be daunting to know where to start. According to the Los Angeles County Veterans Survey, more thank 325,000 Veterans currently reside in the Greater Los Angeles Area and nearly 4,000 of those are homeless. If you’re looking to get involved in a small but meaningful way, here are a few great places to start!
1. Acknowledge Their Service – You may have noticed, many Veterans are proud of their service and express their pride through wearing branded military merchandise like a hat or jacket with their branch of service logo. If you happen upon someone sporting their military gear with pride, thank them for their service. It will brighten their day and you may learn a thing or two about what it means to be a Veteran. You can also thank a Veteran by organizing a letter writing campaign. Get a few of your closest friends together to write thank you notes to Vets in the hospital or over seas. Organizations like Operation Gratitude can help make sure your letters get into the right hands.
2. Volunteer at Veterans Events – You may not know it, but there are Veterans events happening every week around Los Angeles. These events can take a lot of time and effort to organize and execute. The VA and partner organizations host annually Stand Downs, one-day events that give much-needed supplies, support, and services to Veterans. Everything from food, housing, physical, and mental heath services are offered. These events often live and die by volunteer commitment and there can never be enough help. Volunteer with us today!
3. Share Veteran Stories – Do you have a Veteran in your life, such as a neighbor, cousin, or grandparent, who has a story to tell? Many Veteran stories go untold simply because nobody asked. Take the time to ask about their service and pass along their history to the next generation. You can also make sure their story is not forgotten by sharing it with the Library of Congress through the Veterans History Project. Even something as small as sharing on social media could make a difference. Follow Village for Vets.
4. Hire Veterans at Your Small Business – Do you or someone you know own a small business? According to the Veterans Employment Initiative “Veterans who have benefited from training and development during their military service, possess a wide variety of skills and experiences, as well as the motivation for public service.” Hiring a Vet may just be the best decision you’ve ever made.
5. Donate to Local Veteran Support Charities – One of the easiest and most convenient ways to honor Veterans in your local community is to seek out non-profit organizations whose programs directly impact the lives of Veterans. There are dozens of organizations like this across the country. In Los Angeles, one such organization is Village for Vets. Village for Vets serves the most vulnerable Veterans by mobilizing the power of community volunteers and the generosity of donors. Their programs directly support Veterans in need by providing meals or helping homeless Vets with getting government ID that is vital to securing stable housing. Donate today!