MLK Day of Service, on January 20th, encourages us to “Make it a day on, not a day off.” MLK Day 2020 is a great day to kick off any volunteering efforts for the year, and we want to draw special attention to volunteering for military causes. There are few in this country who volunteer their time, energy, and talents like those who serve in the branches of the U.S. military. Volunteering is an excellent way to show appreciation to our armed forces who afford us the opportunity to enjoy the freedom and comfort of our country, thanks to their selfless service.
Choosing how to support our active duty men and women can seem like a daunting task. There are thousands of worthy organizations and nonprofits that benefit our active military members and veterans, from sharing the comforts of home through care packages to fostering pets of military service members serving overseas. With the spirit of volunteering in mind, here are some organizations that make it easy to volunteer.
America’s Adopt a Soldier
Participate in the Adopt a Soldier program whose goal is to send a care package to every deployed service member this coming year. America’s Adopt a Soldier program relies on the generosity of volunteers, donors, and communities to meet their goal. Founded ten years ago by a retired Army officer, this group aims to impact service men and women, veterans, and their families by educating the public on how they can make a difference.
Suggested activities include collecting needed donations, offering to do household or outdoor chores for deployed service members, checking in on veterans and family members, and simply sharing your gratitude by saying, “Thank you.”
The program also partners with communities to organize and provide year-round care packages for those who are deployed and for those in veterans’ hospitals or facilities. Donations of needed care items, cards, coats, and more are accepted throughout the year.
Over the last decade, America’s Adopt a Soldier program has delivered over 30,000 care packages and more than 200,000 letters to members of the military.
Visit americasadoptasoldier.org to volunteer.
Operation Homefront
Help American military families flourish with Operation Homefront. Through donations and volunteer efforts, this nonprofit strives to establish “strong, stable, and secure military families who can thrive in the communities that they worked so hard to protect.”
Since the program started in 2012, Operation Homefront has answered over 41,000 requests from military families across the country. The most commonly requested needs include assistance with utilities, rent or mortgage, and food or groceries. The organization also provides meals, housing, and other family support.
Visit the current needs page on the website to see how you can make an impact today, or learn how you can contribute to ongoing needs.
Operation Gratitude
Give a great big, “Thank you!” to all who serve through Operation Gratitude! This organization has one goal in mind—to deliver smiles in a box. Operation Gratitude makes it easy to participate by listing ways to get involved and providing needed wish list items. Operation Gratitude provides the steps for you to organize and host a successful collection drive with your family and friends in your community, or at work.
Dogs on Deployment
It’s hard to leave our beloved pets behind when we travel. Imagine the challenge of separating from your furry friend during months of deployment! Dogs on Deployments works to alleviate that stress of separation by providing temporary foster homes for pets of deployed service members. This nonprofit works to provide peace of mind to military members by providing the people and resources needed to care for their pets.
Founded by a husband and wife military couple in 2011, Dogs on Deployments has impacted nearly 270,000 Americans. To register as a Dogs on Deployments boarder, visit dogsondeployment.org/signup.
Angel Bakers Team
There’s a reason it’s called comfort food—sometimes the joy and warmth of homemade baked goods is all it takes to lift a person’s spirits and help them feel appreciated. The Angels Bakers Team, a group of dedicated volunteers through Soldiers’ Angels, sends care packages of homemade treats to deployed service men and women. The team puts special focus on fulfilling the requests for those who have experienced difficult situations during deployment or those who are in particular need of a morale boost.
If you have some talent in the kitchen and wish to share your tasty treats with members of the military who need a boost, sign up at soldiersangels.org/angel-bakers.html.
Holidays for Heroes
Live by the mantra of the American Red Cross, and “give something that means something.” Holidays for Heroes is a program established by the American Red Cross to thank and recognize active duty military, veterans, and their families through community activities during holidays year-round.
Previously called Holiday Mail for Heroes, the revamped program now empowers local Red Cross offices to develop activities that benefit members of the military in their local communities around annual holidays. This allows local offices to assess and provide for their community’s specific needs.
Contact your local Red Cross office to learn how you can participate.
Other Ways to Volunteer
Volunteering for our military service members and their families doesn’t have to be grand or challenging. There are plenty of small, yet heartfelt, gestures you can make to show your appreciation and support.
If you don’t know a military family in your neighborhood or community, contact your local American Legion or VFW to make a connection.
Surprise someone with a meal or offer to have them over to join you. Take the opportunity to talk, ask them how they are, and get to know each other.
And, most of all, never shy from an opportunity to say, “Thank you.” Knowing that you care, that you appreciate their service, and that you support them is priceless.
