Ways to Help Veterans This Holiday Season

December 19, 2014
Posted By Vets Vehicles

There are 22 million veterans in the United States, over 700,000 of whom are unemployed. Along with difficulties finding jobs, veterans face a heightened risk of homelessness and PTSD. Here are 5 simple ways to help veterans make the difficult transition from military to civilian life this holiday season:

1. Buy a holiday card to support veterans programs: You can buy holiday cards this year and support veterans struggling with PTSD. Puppies Behind Bars provides service dogs to combat veterans returning home who have suffered a physical injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or PTSD symptoms. These canines are featured in holiday cards you can buy and support the program.
2. Send a care package or personal letter: Through Operation Gratitude, you can send care packages and handwritten letters to active-duty service members, veterans, wounded warriors and their caregivers. Over the next two years, Operation Gratitude hopes to provide a care package to every Vietnam veteran ahead of the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
3. Give a veteran a ride: You can provide transportation to veterans who can’t travel to Veterans Affairs medical facilities on their own through Disabled American Veterans.
4. Donate frequent flier miles: Through the Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles Program, you can donate your frequent flier miles to help family members travel to see their injured loved ones who are receiving treatments at VA hospitals.
5. Help build a home for a veteran: You can help build a specially-modified home for veterans with physical disabilities by volunteering with a Homes for Troops building event. These homes are provided by Homes for Our Troops at no cost to veterans.

Finally, the most important way to give to veterans this holiday season and at all times of the year, is to say thank you. Happy Holidays.