By: Mollye Rhea
On Veterans Day, we recognize the commitment that military veterans have made to our country. Unfortunately, our veteran population continues to face challenges with access to housing, food and mental health services. As we observe Veterans Day this year, we highlight four nonprofits doing the necessary work to bring this much-deserved support to veterans. Keep reading for four organizations making a difference and ways we can jump alongside them to help their cause.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led organization with a mission to serve global communities before, during and after disasters. What started with a very small team of seven after the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti in 2010, now has more than 160,000 volunteers. Team Rubicon is still going strong supporting communities across the globe.
How to Support
With a vision to support humanity and build resiliency for vulnerable communities across the world, Team Rubicon relies on financial support at the individual level and with corporate sponsors and partners. Disaster survivors count on support from Team Rubicon and they give it free of charge. According to Team Rubicon’s co-founder, Jake Wood, “There are a dozen things more important than money, but they all cost money.”
Billion-dollar disasters happen on average every 18 days and with more people needing support than ever, this year for Veterans Day, Team Rubicon is asking for more donors, advocates and partners to support their mission. Statistically, more than half of Veterans don’t like to be thanked – they prefer action over words so this Veterans Day and every day, Team Rubicon asks that you join their ranks as a volunteer or donate financially.
Learn more about their campaign by going here.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) was founded in 1946 by a group of veterans who came home from WWII with spinal injuries. Their mission is to empower brave men and women to regain the freedom and independence they fought for by providing paralyzed veterans with life-changing care and support. Since its foundation, PVA has given:
- $1.2 billion to veterans and their families
- $32.8 million toward home remodels for wounded veterans
- $9.6 million to make cars wheelchair accessible
- $1.1 million for research toward a cure for paralysis
How to Support
PVA has helped millions of veterans since it began providing services. Wounded veterans who started the organization made a decision to not only live, but to change the lives of others. PVA provides healthcare, research and education, benefits and even civil rights to maximize independence for paralyzed veterans.
PVA calls on volunteers on Veteran’s Day and throughout the year. Here are some ways they suggest to show support:
- Volunteer at a local VA Hospital or veteran’s organization
- Participate in a Veterans Day event in your area
- Support essential programs and services for disabled veterans by donating to Paralyzed Veterans of America
Learn more about how to support PVA by going here.
Wounded Warrior Project
With a mission to honor and empower wounded warriors, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) started in 2003 by providing care items to wounded service members in hospitals. This organization has grown from providing comfort items to service members coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan to providing programs and services to support mental health, career counseling, long-term rehab and even advocating for wounded warriors and their families. The goal of WWP is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded veterans in the history of America.
How to Support
The WWP has really left no stone unturned in their programs. According to veteran Brett Miller, “It’s been one of the best things for me. Wounded Warrior Project enabled me to do things I would never have been able to do on my own.”
This Veterans Day, WWP is matching all gifts. To jump alongside their cause or to just learn more about donating to the WWP, go here.
Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America’s mission is a world where all people live in safety, with social, emotional, and physical well-being, spiritual fulfillment, justice, and hope. Since 1896, they have served this country through two world wars, the Great Depression, natural disasters, and now, through COVID-19. As we emerge on this side of the pandemic, we continue to innovate to meet the needs of America’s underserved communities, touching the lives of 1.5 million people annually in over 400 communities across 46 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
How to Support
The demand for the critical services they provide has never been higher. While our economy in many ways has shown great improvement over the past year, a number of factors (inflation, underemployment, the dire shortage of affordable housing) continue to have the most profound effect on the lives of the many marginalized communities Volunteers of America serves, including many veterans. VOA has greatly expanded the number of people they serve across our core program areas, including mental health and addiction, housing and homelessness, corrections, and veterans services – more than a 25 percent increase compared to 2010. During the same period, our services to veterans have tripled, growing from 7,500 veterans served to 25,000 veterans served annually.
Rising costs mean more of our heroes are battling hunger and homelessness, as more and more people arrive at our VOA centers for help. This Veterans Day, VOA is accepting donations here.
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Veterans Day is not only a time for reflection and appreciation, but also a time for a call to action by volunteering, supporting organizations, or even reaching out to veterans in our communities. We hope to shine a light on the incredible work happening
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