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SHOWING SOME APPRECIATION
By Pioneer Services
9 WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU
May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to come together as a community and show support for our service members and fellow military families. Here are 9 ways you can show your appreciation.
VOLUNTEER
Your time can be just as valuable as money! There are plenty of charitable organizations with a military focus to choose from, including local Stand Downs that help homeless veterans or groups like American Legion.
DONATE
Money is always helpful, but you can also donate gently used items to local groups. Most installations also have food pantries that are always looking for non-perishable food and other items, and local Family Readiness Groups might help you find a military family to assist.
HONOR THE FALLEN
This Memorial Day, help set up flags at a local cemetery or attend an event that honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. You could also look for support groups for Gold Star families.
VISIT A MILITARY MUSEUM OR MONUMENT
Whether you visit the myriad of monuments in our nation’s capital, or a smaller local museum or memorial, your family’s support could help preserve a piece of military history and culture.
LEARN
There are literally thousands of books about military history, from famous battles to unusual characters. If you’re not into long reads, you can pull up some videos that cover the history of a certain time or place rich in military lore. The idea is that more knowledge will lead to a better appreciation of what the military does.
HELP A LOCAL VETERAN
National groups like Rebuilding Together often assist older veterans, and there are many local groups that do the same. Or maybe you know one personally who needs some work around their house or just someone to talk to. Giving your time is free and they will most assuredly appreciate it.
SEND CARE PACKAGES
This is a great group project for you and your neighbors, coworkers, or the kids. The troops certainly appreciate it and it doesn’t take much time or money. Just make sure to only send approved items.
HELP ANOTHER SPOUSE OR FAMILY
Get a new neighbor? Know of a military family that’s new to the area? Or maybe a friend’s loved one has set off on deployment. There are lots of ways you can reach out to support other spouses or families. You could offer them a day of help around the house, raise money to give them a spa day, or give them a gift basket full of homemade treats.
SEND A THANK YOU CARD
Even in this digital age, service members love to get handwritten letters and notes. As a bonus, all it costs you is a bit of time and a stamp. Contact a local military group or utilize a service like A Million Thanks to send your love and support.
Military Appreciation Month is not just about civilians supporting service members. It’s also about military families and spouses supporting one another. A little thoughtfulness can go a long way.
This story is presented by Pioneer Services, the military division of MidCountry Bank, which has provided award-winning financial education to the men and women of the Armed Forces for over 30 years.