There’s no doubting that most of us in the US love our veterans and appreciate all that they’ve done to keep our borders safe. But as nice as words are, actions are always louder. Surely, veterans love hearing praise — but going out of your way to give them an act of kindness is something that will truly warm their hearts.
Not sure what you can do to show your gratitude? There are plenty of ways you can give thanks to your local veterans for the sacrifices they’ve made. Some gestures on this list are big and others are small, but they’ll all be sure to leave a smile on their face. Take a look — you might be surprised that you hadn’t thought of some of these practices before!
Volunteer Your Time
One way you can show your support is to provide transportation so that your local heroes can get to their appointments at their veteran’s medical center in California. Many older retired soldiers don’t have the mobility to do so on their own, so giving a helping hand and a friendly face to interact with on the way over can mean quite a lot. There are plenty of volunteer organizations across the US that offer transportation and other services — find one you like and try donating your time!
Visit Your Local VA Hospital in Los Angeles
Don’t have a car? Don’t sweat it. If you’re interested in giving your time to vets, you can always pay a visit to them at a local care facility. Though it’s easy to assume otherwise, not everyone has family or friends that visit often. Coming by and offering a smile and some conversation can really brighten their day. If you’re interested in visiting and interacting with vets, contact the staff at your local veteran’s medical center in California and find out more. They’ll then be able to identify and pair you up with a resident in need of a visit.
Give Thanks
Some people are afraid of approaching vets to say thank you because they think they’ve probably heard it a million times after they walked out of their front door. You’d be surprised, however, how many people think the same thing. But whether they hear it once from you or a hundred times a day, every thank you is appreciated, as long as it comes from the heart. Don’t feel self-conscious — chances are, they aren’t hearing it as often as they should be. If you pass by a vet while going about your day, don’t be afraid to acknowledge them and thank them for their service.
Help Veterans Fight Homelessness
Though we don’t often like to think about it, many of our vets face significant financial struggles after they come home. Though there are several reasons behind this issue, a significant factor for many vets is the high cost for medical intervention. Various forms of therapy or corrective surgery can weigh families down financially. If they don’t have the means to pay these bills off, they could risk eviction, foreclosure, and even homelessness. You can help by volunteering for organizations that help fight this issue and provide our troops with the support they need to keep their families safe.
Pro-Bono Handy Work
For you, they’ve fulfilled a huge responsibility. You don’t have to step foot on the battlefield (thanks to them), but you can show them gratitude by helping out in any way you can. Why not volunteer yourself to perform various household chores for those who need it? If you’re good with a toolbox, helping out with maintenance and repairs for free would be an extremely kind way to help a veteran who can’t due to injury, disability, or financial struggle.
Help Vets Create a Life for Themselves
Not everyone in the army stays forever. After completing years of service, many soldiers return home in hopes of growing some roots. Though there are programs available to help soldiers transition into civilian life, there are few volunteers willing to teach them marketable skills. If you’re an expert in fields like healthcare, IT, finance, or the trades, consider volunteering your time to teach classes and offer up what you know, free of cost.
Contribute to a Veteran Food Drive
Retired troops throughout the country are hungry and in need of nutrition. Many can’t afford to feed their families. Show that you care and give what you can by contributing to local food drives as well as food donations for veterans in crisis in Los Angeles. By contributing in this way, you are both keeping your local vets and their families fed and providing them financial relief.
Make a Financial Donation
If you have the means to do so, you should consider making donations for veterans in crisis in Los Angeles. The money you donate goes towards a number of programs, all designed to benefit the troops and their families. A portion of your donation will go towards providing military families with housing so that they can stay close to their loved ones while they are receiving medical treatment. Some of what you donate will also go toward scholarships for military personnel, their spouses, and their children. Of course, some of your donations will also go towards providing your VA hospital in Los Angeles with the tools and supplies it needs to care properly for its residents.
Every kind gesture helps when it comes to supporting your troops. Donate your time, your money, or both! For more information on how you can help, contact your local veteran’s medical center in California and speak to a representative.
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