Veteran’s Day Salute – Help End Veteran Homelessness
This Veterans Day I wanted to do something to show our support for those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.
After some research about worthwhile veterans causes, I wanted to let you know about a couple of simple things you can do.
1. Spread the word about the Department of Veterans Affairs effort to end homelessness among veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a 24/7 hotline number for homeless veterans and they have the goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015.
Cool, eh? If I ever again see someone standing on the street corner with a sign that says: “Homeless Vet Please Help” I will either hand out this number to the person or call it myself. 1-877-4AID-VET
If you have a bulletin board at your business, church, or community center, please go to the VA website and print out one of their posters to help spread the word that resources are available.
2. Consider making a donation to the VA.
It is the beginning of the season of giving. If you are looking for a good way to make a cash donation to a veterans charity, where your funds will go to those who need it with minimal overhead and administrative costs, you can donate to the VA.
Yes, this is a government agency and yes, our taxes go to support it, but if you are looking for a group that has already screened and identified appropriate recipients and has already incurred and paid its administrative costs, this is probably the best way to go.
At the VA website, I typed in “donate Virginia” into their search box and it came up with a huge list of Veterans hospitals in Virginia. One, the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, in Richmond, gives an entire list of funds you can donate money to. Just send them a check and write in the memo line which fund you want your money to go to. They have funds for just about everything from medical supplies to transportation, outpatient PTSD support, cheering up veterans during the holiday season, providing them with recreation therapy and basic services like haircuts for indigent patients.
Your donation is tax deductible in the same way as any other charitable deduction.
3. Send a card to Holiday Cards for Heroes
Another way to give back to our veterans this year is to send a holiday card to the Holiday Cards for Heroes program administered by The Red Cross. They are collecting cards until December 7th. You can click the link for more information.
Many thanks to all the brave individuals who have served our country!
*P.S. We will attend what is sure to be a heartwarming home dedication ceremony for our new neighbor, Sgt. John Peck, a quadruple amputee veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This project was the result of funding by a private charity, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, actor Gary Sinise’s foundation and a local builder, American Heritage Homes.
*I am not affiliated with any charity or government agency mentioned above.