Turning Remembrance into Action
This month, we remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Memorial Day offers an opportunity to remember their sacrifice, and honor the fallen by volunteering service to the living. To help veterans reentering civilian life to thrive, we can volunteer in many ways. As you’ll see below, it’s easier and more convenient than ever before to give back to the men and women who gave their all. This month, we offer a small sample of the organizations dedicated to serve.
As of 2023, 15.8 million veterans live in the U.S. According to data the Wounded Warrior Project maintains, for every one service member killed in action, seven are wounded. That's almost 52,000 servicemen and women who have been injured since 2001.
Veterans often have a tough time transitioning back to civilian life, and it can be a struggle to create purpose through employment, service, or education. As a result, veterans risk significant health and well-being challenges. Struggles in transition can cause problems, including depression, homelessness, and increased risk of crises. When weather or circumstantial disasters and emergencies occur, veterans are especially vulnerable.
Service is a core value at River North Law Group, therefore we go the extra mile to ensure clients get the best outcome from personal injury cases. On this Memorial Day and beyond, we encourage you to turn remembrance into action. These organizations rely on volunteers to support veterans reentering civilian communities. As you remember the fallen, you might consider lending your time or resources to one of them. With this many organizations taking action, we can all take a step to help those who survived and live among us.
United Service Organizations
The USO is, perhaps, one of the most well-known organizations. The United Services Organization is a nonprofit that provides recreation-type services, care packages and entertainment to our military members, and their families. It provides free internet, and email access to our deployed troops, housing assistance, support groups, family counseling, entertainment and more. With more than 250 locations worldwide, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer.
Volunteers can either cheer on the troops as they arrive home from a deployment, or they can help out at sponsored events such as concerts, air shows and fun runs. If you cannot volunteer, the USO welcomes monetary donations as well.
For more information on becoming a volunteer, you might fill out an application at the USO website. If you're looking for opportunities in the Chicagoland area, visit here. https://www.uso.org/take-action/volunteer
Wounded Warriors Project
The Wounded Warrior Project is a program aimed at helping those service members who have been injured in the line of duty. Created after 9/11, it was founded to help the staggering number of wounded troops returning home from the combat zone. WWP helps those who have suffered serious issues from combat, and its volunteer efforts extend to their families as well.
Wounded Warriors offers event-based volunteer opportunities, which you'll find on their website. Other volunteer opportunities include offering emotional support to wounded warriors through letters or donations, helping wounded warriors get to and from doctors’ appointments or volunteering time at fundraising events. To learn more, visit here. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/give-back
Operation Gratitude
Sending a letter, card or care package can brighten a veteran’s day here at home, and it supports those suffering from PTSD or other combat-related issues. Operation Gratitude has shipped more than one million care packages to veterans, first responders, new recruits, caregivers, and wounded warriors since it was founded in 2003.
Volunteer opportunities include writing letters to deployed troops, veterans, new recruits, and wounded warriors or creating hand-made crafts/projects to send. For the many ways you can get involved in encouraging veterans, visit here. https://www.operationgratitude.com/
Chicago Veterans
If you enjoy supporting events, volunteering for Chicago Veterans may be right up your alley. Chicago Veterans hosts an average of 60 events per year. Volunteers help develop, plan, organize and execute these events. They handle everything from guest check-in to the cleanup party, and volunteer opportunities involve everything in between. Ruck March, Veterans Ball, Liberty Calls, BBQs, are just a few. They also organize social outings, family and kids’ events, community cleanups, and more! If you are an outgoing person and love organizing events, explore their various opportunities to get involved here. https://chicagovets.org/volunteer/
DAV (Drive A Vehicle)
DAV offers a wide range of opportunities to assist our nation’s heroes. Volunteer to transport veterans to and from their VA medical appointments, help at a VA facility or assist veterans in your local community.
No matter what your volunteer interests may be, there’s a role you’ll enjoy. To find a fit for what you're looking for, review their Local Veterans Assistance Program. Whether it’s grocery shopping or running errands for veterans in your community, doing yard work or painting a veteran’s home, there’s a need you can help fulfill. To explore ways you can volunteer as part of DAV, visit here. https://www.dav.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Volunteer to Help
This is a small sampling of the volunteer service organizations who need your help. Your service to others pays unexpected dividends. It promotes a sense of purpose, meaning, and belonging to something bigger than ourselves. It gives us a chance to see the impact we can have in the lives of others. Becoming a volunteer is a great way to remember and honor fallen heroes.