When veterans return from deployment, many face issues returning to civilian life.  To help those who have served our country, here is a list of notable charities that perform a variety of services.  Although it is no longer Veteran’s Day, these charities provide help for our returning soldiers and their families year-round.

1. Army Emergency Relief: This charity is a private non-profit that uses personal and corporate donations to provide veterans with scholarships and interest-free loans for living expenses like housing and car expenses.  They also provide assistance to veterans who have fallen on hard times so that they can afford to feed their families and keep a roof over their head.  (The Airforce Aid Society operates similarly to this as well.)
2. Fisher House Foundation: In addition to monetary donations, this charity also accepts donations of frequent flyer miles and hotel points, which it uses to ensure that veteran’s families can afford to visit in the event of a hospitalization.  They also accept donations of old and unwanted cars, even if they’re no longer running.
3. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: While this charity accepts monetary donations, they are also looking for volunteers to help answer phones, act as caseworkers, advertise and provide press briefings, and give presentations to families on budgeting for life expenses (especially in military families expecting a baby).  They are also looking for thrift store volunteers to help sell used wares in order to provide further funding to help military families.
4. The Armed Services YMCA: In addition to monetary donations, this organization has annual art and essay contests where kids can express their appreciation and admiration for our soldiers.  They also host after-school activities and camps for the children of military families.  They also have events for volunteers to make photo-transfer pillows and quilts for children who have a parent that is currently deployed.  Coming up is their holiday and gift drive next month, where they use monetary donations to buy toys and food baskets for military families to thank them for their sacrifices.
5. The United Service Organizations (USO):  Since WWII, The USO has been responsible for providing entertainment for soldiers overseas.  Once soldiers return home, they also provide housing assistance, career training, job hunting assistance, caretaker training for families of wounded soldiers, and family crisis counseling.  They also fund several USO Warrior and Family Centers, where family members can stay on-site while the soldier gets better.  In addition to monetary donations, they are always looking for volunteers to host events for soldiers, perform administrative tasks, perform at shows, or to give returning soldiers a hero’s welcome.

Happy Veteran’s Day Weekend!