SUPPORT / VOLUNTEER
FOR VETERANS
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has been providing financial and educational assistance to returning veterans, wounded veterans and their families, as well as other service members since 1904.
This organization seeks to lift morale by sending individually addressed letters and care packages to deployed service members, veterans, the wounded and their caregivers.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has many ways to volunteer time or donate funds to help our nation’s veterans including the Volunteer Transportation Network, Welcome Home Events, Stand Down for Homeless Veterans, National Cemeteries Volunteer, National Salute to Veteran Patients and Student Volunteer Program initiatives.
The Air Force Aid Society has been helping Airmen since 1942. They provide emergency financial assistance with no-interest loans and/or grants, education support through grants, loans and scholarships, and community programs to help families while their loved ones are deployed.
DAV builds better lives for America’s disabled veterans through their benefits assistance and voluntary service programs. You can volunteer to drive a van for the initiative that provides free transportation to men and women who can’t travel to VA medical facilities on their own.
United Service Organization (USO)
Started in 1941, the United Service Organization (USO) has been keeping service members connected with family, home and country by entertaining them, providing a place of comfort through its more than 250 centers extending to countries on every continent and by always conveying the support of a grateful nation.
Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship
The foundation awards “life scholarships” to severely wounded post-9/11 veterans attending universities or trade/professional schools. Scholarships tailored to the needs of individual veterans may provide housing, mentoring, financial planning or career networking.
Housing presents special challenges for disabled veterans who require wheelchair accessibility or other adaptive measures. HFOT builds new mortgage-free homes for disabled veterans so that they, in turn, can build new lives.
The goal of this nationwide organization is to help heal the emotional wounds of military veterans by pairing them with a specially selected shelter animal. The animals are rehabilitated by professionals who can include training for desensitization to wheel chairs or crutches as well as recognizing panic or anxiety disorder behaviors.
Project Hero is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans and first responders affected by PTSD, TBI and injury achieve rehabilitation, recovery and resilience in their daily lives and increasing awareness to combat PTSD and TBI.
Service members and their families may struggle with anxiety, depression, substance abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder. GAH’s national network of volunteer mental health professionals offers free and confidential counseling to active service members and their loved ones.
Hero Bracelets is just one of the organizations that honor members of the Armed Forces who have fallen in conflict around the world through the creation of memorial bracelets.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Learn more about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the 58,000 names on the wall.
TKEF’s goal is to provide education, opportunity, and healing in the outdoors through recreational therapy clinics and expeditions – improving the quality of life of individuals through mobility.
SUPPORT / VOLUNTEER
FOR FAMILIES
Blue Star Families’ wide range of programs include career development for military spouses, fun and educational events for children, caregiver support, and most importantly, the chance to build community with their Blue Star Neighbors — individuals, business owners and organizations who create a network of support for military families.
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
Our Military Kids provides assistance to military children for extra-curricular activities and online enrichment programs while their parents are deployed with the National Guard or Reserves, or recovering from injuries sustained in combat.
Wreaths Across America’s mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach. Each December they coordinated wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.
Fisher House has a network of homes on the grounds of military and VA hospitals around the country to help family members be close to a loved one during hospitalization for a combat injury, illness or disease. You can donate frequent flier miles, donate household items, volunteer, and more.
Gary Sinise Foundation: Snowball Express
Families of fallen service members can feel isolated by their loss. For the three days of the Gary Sinise Foundation Snowball Express, children from around the world gather to have fun, meet new friends and share memories while making new ones.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Created by bereaved military families, TAPS offers grief counseling, benefits counseling and support groups, as well as special programs for grieving children. Helpline team members are available 24/7 to guide callers to appropriate services or simply to listen and talk.
Honor and Remember’s mission is for every Gold Star family to receive a personalized Honor and Remember Flag — the only national symbol of appreciation that honors the fallen from every branch of the military. Sponsor a flag gift, or participate in a Run for the Fallen event in your area.