Love The Give: Easy Ways to Give Back to Veterans

I’m blessed to be an American. I live in freedom each and every day, and I am fully aware that my freedom isn’t just a right. Freedom is a privilege that was and continues to be fought for by the brave veterans of our country. Both of my grandfathers and my first cousin courageously served in the U.S. military, and I know that their sacrifices have helped our country stay strong and safe. Veterans have sacrificed their time, personal life, health, and well-being to protect a greater good. They have given everything they have to give for us, and now it’s time for us to give something back. In honor of Veteran’s Day, I’m sharing a few easy ways to give back to the veterans in your community and abroad to honor their service!  

GIVE BACK TO VETERANS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media may mostly be filled with silly memes and cat videos, but it’s an incredible way to share messages with a broad audience. Through October 15th, Love The GIVE Foundation has generously offered to donate $1 the Bob Woodruff Foundation for each and every social media post that uses the #GIVE2VETERANS hashtag. Love The GIVE celebrates the act of giving in all its forms. Whether you’re giving your time, your talent, your money, or your love, Love The GIVE encourages you to take the time to give something each and every day. This week, share an act of giving on social media with the hashtag #GIVE2VETERANS. A simple tweet, Instagram photo, or Facebook status only takes a few moments to complete, and you’ll be giving $1 to the the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which provides services to enrich the lives of wounded or ill veterans. The Love the GIVE foundation will donate up to $500,000, so please share the hashtag through October 15th!

GIVE YOUR THANKS

Sometimes a simple “thank you” can make a huge impact. Consider sharing your gratitude with a veteran by writing them a respectful thank you note. Operation Gratitude has a wonderful website that shares ideas on what you should write and where you should your cards and letters, and I can guarantee that a few kind words will put a smile on a veteran’s face! I love that the simple act of expressing gratitude in a short letter or note can be so meaningful to the lives of others, and it will cost you less than a dollar to write a note and mail it to a veteran in your family, local organizations, or Operation Gratitude. I know it may seem simple to say thank you, but it’s a powerful message.

GIVE YOUR STUFF

We all have way more stuff than we need. Take a few hours to clean out your closets and donate extra items to charities that benefit veterans. In addition to helping those in need, you’ll also gain a cleaner home and a tax deduction. Vietnam Veterans of America and Purple Heart Pickup accept almost all clothing and household items, and both services will even pick up your donation at your home! These organizations sell your donated items to raise money for veterans initiatives, and even a few items can make a difference!

You can also donate gift cards to local charities benefiting veterans, or you could even sell them online and donate your profits! We all have a few gift cards buried in our wallet, so I recommend putting them towards something meaningful!

GIVE YOUR TIME

Whether you volunteer at a local charity for veterans or create an initiative of your own, you can donate your time to help those in need. Also, don’t underestimate the power of spending time with a veteran, whether it’s a coffee date or a phone conversation. Express your gratitude and offer a helping hand, a grateful attitude, and a listening ear. You can also donate your time by helping to build or renovate housing for veterans through Homes for Troops. This organization provides mortgage-free housing to veterans to help them re-start their life after returning from duty! If you’re a licensed therapist, consider donating your time to Give An Hour or The Soldiers Project, which provide free and confidential therapy and psychological treatment to veterans. Both charities also need non-trained volunteers, so please consider donating your time to support the mental health of our veterans.

GIVE YOUR HOPE

In addition to all of the easy ways to give back listed above, please give veterans your hope. If you pray, please pray for their continued physical and emotional recovery. If you don’t pray, send good vibes or write a letter or a social media post or anything. Just get your good vibes and positivity out into the universe. Our veterans deserve our love and respect, so keep them in your daily thoughts and prayers!   If you make the act of giving a habit, you’ll undoubtedly see amazing things happen in your life. Our veterans have given so much to us, and it’s our turn to give back to honor their service. You can follow Love The GIVE on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for updates and more information, and please don’t forget to post the #GIVE2VETERANS and #LOVETHEGIVE hashtags on social media through October 15th!  

What’s your favorite way to give back? Did you share a social media post featuring #GIVE2VETERANS?

Today I’ve partnered with Love The GIVE to share this incredible campaign. Thanks for helping me support such an important cause!