As the New Year begins, most of us set resolutions to make the year a little better for ourselves. Common resolutions include checking items off bucket lists, spending more time with friends and family, eating better, and working out more. In addition to resolutions that help you improve as an individual, many people are also setting resolutions that focus on giving back.
At IHG Army Hotels, our teams are dedicated to serving those who serve. We feel privileged to spend each day making our treasured guests feel comfortable, and relaxed. As a team, we also love giving back to the community. We are proud of our partnership with organizations like Tunnel to Towers. As part of our 2025 Annual Mission Challenge, we raised $214,000 to support 17,500 Homeless Veterans through rehoming, professional support, and workforce development.
As service members and veterans, you are no strangers to giving of yourself to protect others. The generosity of our community goes beyond fighting for freedom. Giving back can be as simple as helping a neighbor out while their significant other is deployed, for example. The New Year is the perfect time to start small, give with intention, and continue to serve.
Why Giving Back Matters in the Military Community
The military community is unique in many ways. While some people may only need support during major life disruptions, service members, veterans, and their families face unique challenges that can be ongoing. Some of the more common ones include deployments, frequent moves, and financial hardships. While some of these experiences can build strength and adaptability, they can also lead to stress and moments where external support is needed.
The demanding pace of life that service members and their families endure, and the lasting effects of that life on veterans mean the community is always in need of some form of support. Simple acts such as welcoming a new family to your unit, volunteering on post, and checking in on a neighbor who hasn’t been seen outside in a while help create stability in an environment that can often feel chaotic.
Giving back also strengthens the community. It reminds everyone that they are a part of something bigger than themselves and that there is always someone there to help. Here are just a few ideas to help jump-start your giving back in 2026.
Supporting Soldiers and Families on Post
Supporting fellow service members on post is the most direct and meaningful way to give back to the military community. Army installations typically have a wide range of organizations and programs on post to help service members. Many of these are always looking for volunteers to help support daily operations.
The best place to start when looking to volunteer on Army bases is the Volunteer Management Information System(VMIS) on the Army Family Web Portal. This website is the central portal for volunteering. The site makes it easy to search for opportunities on a given installation. You can also check in with the local Army Community Service (ACS) center, where you can register to help, track hours, and search for openings. The available opportunities vary and can usually be tailored to the volunteer's availability, skills, and interests.
Youth programs are one example. Volunteers can support schools, child development centers, and after-school programs. Many people find that assisting children with tutoring, coaching athletic teams, and staffing special events, such as fun runs, to be incredibly rewarding.
Just as impactful as officially volunteering are the small acts of kindness everyone can do. You can share your local knowledge with someone who has just transferred to the location, help someone unpack or prepare for a deployment, or take a moment to listen to a soldier who needs a sympathetic ear.
Giving Back Through Community Engagement
While there are plenty of opportunities to give back on base, there are even more available once you exit the gates. Countless organizations are seeking the strengths that service members and their families bring to benefit the community. Military members often have the specialized training, leadership, and determination needed to help make even the most ambitious volunteer programs a success. One example is Team Rubicon.
Team Rubicon was founded by veterans in 2010 to support recovery efforts following the 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti that year. Over the years, Team Rubicon has grown from 8 volunteers to over 280,000. The organization helps communities worldwide recover from disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. By the end of 2024, they had helped more than 3 million people.
Team Rubicon is veteran-led, but anyone can volunteer. Operations include work at food banks, debris cleanup after natural disasters, and home rebuilding. Many operations require volunteers to work for a week or two at a given location, but there are plenty of opportunities that allow volunteers to work for a day or even just a few hours.
Another great organization to volunteer with in 2026 is Wounded Warrior Project. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, many service members were returning from combat with life-altering injuries. While these heroes were being treated in hospitals like Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, John Melia and a group of veterans began bringing backpacks with essentials like socks and toiletries to the wounded. Soon, the organization expanded beyond backpack donations.
Today, the Wounded Warrior Project helps veterans receive their benefits, access some of the best therapies and medical treatments in the country, participate in adaptive sports, and acts as a lifeline for veterans in crisis. One way to volunteer with them is to become a peer support group leader. These volunteers support veteran events, mentor others in various Wounded Warrior Project programs, and connect warriors with the resources they need. It's a great way to give back to the veteran community.
Wrapping It All Up
The start of the New Year is a perfect time to think about ways to give back in 2026. As members of the military and veteran communities, giving back is in your blood. It's part of your DNA. Acts of service, large and small, help to strengthen ties within the community, improve morale, and leave you feeling better about the impact you have on yourself and those around you.
At IHG Army Hotels, service to others is part of our DNA. With locations across the country, we’re here to support you while you dedicate your time and energy to improving the lives of those around you. Whether you are looking to support on-post activities or national organizations like Team Rubicon and Wounded Warrior Project, we’ll have a clean, comfortable room ready for you when you need it.
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