Are you looking for a non profit or other organization to support, volunteer with, or donate to? The military community has no shortage of organizations, but here are the top ones making a name for themselves:
1: The Bautista Project
Founded by Army Spouse Marla and her husband, The Bautista Project is the one of the only non profits that gives back to our homeless veteran community. Their goal is to do their part in making the world a better place for all by providing basic living essentials. You will routinely see Marla’s family on the streets feeding, clothing, and providing other valuable resources to those in need. In the past year, The Bautista Project has provided 450+ Belonging Boxes/Bags (filled with essential items for living), 1900+ bottles of water, 1750+ meals, almost 700 pairs of socks, and other items such as shoes, and bus passes.
2: Mission 22
This organization was founded by combat veterans who battled their own war with PTSD and TBI focus on helping to end Veteran suicide. They work regularly with other combat veterans, those injured in training accidents, and victims of MST while raising awareness and helping veterans to receive the help they need. Many of their awareness and fundraising events include organized runs, motorcycle rides, hikes, golf tournaments, and the use of equine therapy to assist veterans.
3: Warrior Bonfire Program
The Warrior Bonfire Program goal is to provide opportunities to combat-wounded veterans on their journey to recovery and healing. They focus on activity-based and small-group retreats that foster healing and building community. They not only offer retreats for the veterans themselves, but they also offer veterans for spouses and for the couple to focus on their relationships. Their programs take place in many different areas of the country as a way to reach veterans where they are.
4: Operation Deploy Your Dress
When a simple dress swap idea in 2015 turned into a movement, Operation Deploy Your Dress was suddenly born. Realizing the spouses’ need for affordable formal wear to attend the traditional military balls with their service members, the founding group of spouses took the idea of the dress swap to a national level. Now with 10 shops in place (to include a location in Germany), ODYD is able to “deploy America’s patriotism one dress at a time.” The organization is funded from monetary donations and others also donate their gently used or new formal wear, and then they give the dresses away for free to DoD ID card holders. There are plans to open more shops in the near future.
5: The Unquiet Professional
Founded from a place of grief and loss, Krista created The Unquiet Professional as a way not only to honor her late husband SSG Michael Simpson, but also to continue serving and supporting other families of the fallen. After being amazed at the support given to her during the difficult time, she was inspired to give back to other Gold Star and surviving families. The Unquiet Professional offers a variety of programs that include race events for veterans, sailing and fly fishing youth events, and providing museum memberships for children. Each year in May, The Unquiet Professional holds a Memorial Mile to honor fallen Green Berets and raise money for their programs.