6 Ways To Give Back This Memorial Day

While many people are celebrating Memorial Day with barbecues, swimming, camping, or just spending time with family and friends, it’s important to remember the reason behind this holiday. Memorial Day is a special day where we honor troops who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. These brave individuals fought to keep our country safe and each year we honor their lives on the last Monday of May.

Both my grandfathers and father were in the Air Force, and my brother has followed in their footsteps by joining the Air Force in 2015, so this holiday hits close to home for me. While I am blessed that I do not know anyone who has died in a war, I know how important it is to honor those men and women who lost their lives fighting for our country.  

Whether you are grilling out, attending a parade, pool or block party, take time out of your day to try one of the following to give back this Memorial Day:

1. Deliver flowers or decorations to a memorial site or veteran cemetery. Set flowers on the graves that do not have anything on them. Encourage your family and friends to do the same.
2. Volunteer in a local parade, this is a great opportunity for kids to get involved.
3. Donate to a family who has lost someone in service. Memorial Day is also a great time to help those who did return and are struggling with hardships.
4. Consider visiting a veteran center. Visiting soldiers in the VA hospital makes them feel special and remembered.
5. Send a care package to a soldier still serving overseas.
6. Use online giving to make a monetary donation. If you don’t have time to do any of the above, there are many organizations that support military members, veterans and their families you can make a donation to.

More Inspiration For Your Memorial Day Weekend

3 Ways to Honor Memorial Day through Corporate Philanthropy

Our partner, CyberGrants, took the time to honor Memorial Day through corporate philanthropy efforts. This post discusses 3 ways to turn your everyday corporate philanthropy programs into ones honoring heroes.

Memorial Day originated during the Civil War and was declared a federal holiday in 1971. Businesses are closing their doors to give employees a three-day weekend to start the summer, but it doesn’t mean you can’t observe and incorporate this day into a CSR strategy. CyberGrants shares some quick and easy ways to get your workforce behind the true meaning of Memorial Day with 3 ways to turn everyday corporate philanthropy programs into ones that honor our troops. Read more…

Support Military Families and Veterans This Memorial Day

Goodwill is also supporting military families and veterans this Memorial Day. Since World War 1, Goodwill has helped veterans transition into civilian employment.

Soldiers are not the only ones making sacrifices, their families have to make sacrifices as well.  Goodwill and other organizations around the country are banding together to help troops and their families. If you’re a military member, military spouse or veteran, the Goodwill in your community can work with you to create an individualized plan to help you identify and set realistic and achievable goals. Read more…

So whatever fun activities you plan on doing this Memorial Day, be sure to remember our fallen soldiers and honor them in any way you can.

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