Simple Ways to Help Support Veterans

Veterans Day is November 11^th and just around the corner. This makes for a great time to acknowledge and say thank you to those who have served in our military protecting our nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 19 million veterans in the United States. Veterans have left or retired from the military, work hard every day, and many are still in need of your support. The good news for those of you that want to give back is that there are many simple ways to support veterans across the country.

“Our nation’s veterans deserve our gratitude and support every day. I find that especially around Veterans Day, there are people looking for ways to help assist with the needs of our nations’ veterans,” explains Nicole Motsek, the executive director of the EOD Warrior Foundation. “Veterans are always thankful for support from their communities, and appreciate that there are people who want to assist them.”

Here are some simple ways you can help support veterans:

• Say thank you. One of the easiest things to do. It’s free, and often it’s overlooked. Thanking a veteran for their service is one of the best ways you can show support and care to them, but don’t just make it a simple thank you. Use your thank you to start a conversation around their service.
• Pick up the tab. If you see veterans having breakfast in a diner or ordering a donut at the bakery, why not pick up the tab for them. This simple gesture goes a long way toward putting a smile on their face and pep in their step.
• Run or bike. There are many running, walking, and biking events around the nation each year that benefit veterans. Whether running a 5K or taking part in the annual EOD Warriors Foundation Undefeated bike ride, you can do something you enjoy while also helping veterans. Exercise and positive relationships are two very healthy ways to live our lives.
• Host a fundraiser. Those who like to help raise funds for veteran charities can host events like garage sales, car washes, or bake sales.
• Provide jobs. Veterans make great employees, helping to provide military veterans with second careers is a win-win situation for both the veteran and the employer.
• Patronize their business. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 9 percent of all businesses in the country are owned and operated by veterans. Seek out those places of business and show your support.
• There are many volunteer opportunities with veterans’ charities and all charities appreciate your or much-needed services Volunteering is good for the charity and makes you, the volunteer, feel good!

“There are many ways for people to be creative supporting veterans and veteran causes,” added Motsek. “We offer many events throughout the year, like golf tournaments, a polar bear plunge, runs and a bike ride. Each successful event that benefits the Foundation is a success because of our volunteers. Their time and service adds up to a huge amount of “free” support.”

EOD Warrior Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the EOD family by providing emergency financial relief, scholarship opportunities, physical, social, and emotional support. The Foundation serves active-duty and veteran wounded, injured or ill EOD warriors, and families of wounded and fallen EOD warriors. They offer four pillars of support and handle each request on a case-by case basis. The immediate and ongoing assistance and resources provided by the EOD Warrior Foundation to those in the EOD community are intended to provide support above and beyond the budgetary constraints of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Foundation also provides ongoing care and maintenance for the EOD Memorial Wall at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, in remembrance of over 300 EOD technicians who have made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out an EOD mission. To learn more about the EOD Warrior Foundation, or see their fundraising events calendar, visit their site at: www.eodwarriorfoundation.org.