It’s the season of giving. What better way to spread holiday cheer than with holiday fundraisers in support of military personnel and their families? There are numerous military nonprofit organizations designed to help improve the quality of life for active-duty members, Veterans, and their families. Some programs are to improve the holiday season specifically while others give general support.
Here are 10 military nonprofit organizations you can consider supporting this holiday season.
1. Warrior Care Network via Wounded Warrior Project
The Warrior Care Network has partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project and world-renowned medical centers to offer military Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assistance. They also provide help with traumatic brain injury, military sexual assault, and other challenges facing military members associated with long-term wellness for military members and Veterans. Help a Veteran in need by aiding the effort in providing them quality mental health services.
2. Stand Beside Them
This New York-based nonprofit organization has a mission to coach American Veterans, empowering them and their spouses with home life success. Stand Beside Them also help Veterans get into jobs and build a community, as well as providing a wealth of other services for military members and Veterans navigating the transition from active duty into civilian life.
3. Children of Fallen Patriots
According to the organization’s research, nearly 20,000 dependents have been left behind by fallen servicemembers over the past 35 years. Many of these surviving families struggle to make ends meet, and aren’t able to save much to invest in their children’s future. Since its founding in 2002, the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation has provided college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
4. Team Red, White & Blue
Each year, Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) alleviates the isolation and health challenges of more than 250,000 active duty servicemembers face as they transition out of the military. With chapters spread across the country, Team RWB helps Veterans connect with one another through physical and social activity. The organization offers these inclusive opportunities both locally and virtually via the Team RWB app.
There are several ways to get involved such as volunteering and fundraising. You can also support this organization and give your loved ones a gift that gives back by buying some of their official merch.
5. K9s For Warriors
In an effort to end Veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors is a nonprofit aimed and providing highly-trained Service Dogs for military members. The organization specializes in providing these canines for any Veterans dealing with PTSD, TBI, MSA, and other issues directly dealing with military service. Most of the dogs are gathered from high-kill rescue shelters, thereby saving a dog’s life and helping heal recovering Veterans.
6. Military Child Education Coalition
Helping military children aspire, connect, thrive, and lead, the Military Child Education Coalition helps provide more education possibilities for military children. Their mission is to help every single military child be prepared for college, work, and life. They strive to accomplish this by education, advocating, and collaborating to create more opportunities and fewer challenges for military children. Scholarships for military kids are some of the most influential ways for them to get a quality education.
7. Operation Christmas Spirit
As a form of holiday thanks, Operation Christmas Spirit works by “adopting” more than 100 military families over the holidays and fulfilling their Christmas lists. This is part of Operation Help a Hero’s annual project that has been going strong for 18 years. It supports military families, single servicemembers, and even offers unit morale-boosting events. Spreading the Christmas spirit to individuals and families who have sacrificed so much for our country is the goal. Donate gifts, host an event or toy drive, or sponsor a family.
8. USO
The United Service Organization is a nonprofit that’s existed since 1941. It provides entertainment, recreation services, and care packages for military members and their families. The program has over 135 centers across the world, both in the US and overseas. Donations to this military nonprofit organization can help a servicemember or military family in need.
9. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
This military nonprofit organization has existed for over a century. Specializing in providing financial assistance and education to United States Navy and Marine Corps members, can transform the life of a military member. It also strives to help family members, widows, and survivors. In its existence, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has provided more than $48 million in interest-free loans and grants to Sailors, Marines, and their families.
10. American Red Cross
This nonprofit organization works to provide military families with a variety of services. The American Red Cross offers financial assistance while others are deployment-related. They strive to help military members, Veterans, and families prepare, cope, and respond to military service challenges.
11. Operation Outreach Holiday Support via Soldiers’ Angels
This outreach is a great way to get gift cards to military families so they can pay for gifts or a holiday meal. Sponsored by Soldiers’ Angels, the Operation Outreach Holiday Support allows military families to sign up and are matched with donors to provide a happy Christmas.
12. Trees for Troops via the Christmas Spirit Foundation
If you’re searching for a perfect holiday fundraiser, Trees for Troops is a great idea. Sponsored by the Christmas Spirit Foundation, this fundraiser offers free Christmas trees to help improve the holiday season for military members and their families.
Supporting military nonprofit organizations throughout the holidays is a great way to spread Christmas cheer. If you are an active duty member or Veteran — or a family of one — then please feel welcome to sign up for aid from any of these holiday fundraisers.
