Give Back this Memorial Day: CSR for Veterans and Military
While many will use the upcoming Memorial Day holiday (on May 27) to relax, host a barbecue, or take a short vacation, it’s possible to use the event as a time to give back to veterans. After all, the holiday, observed on the last Monday in May, honors those who died while serving in the U.S. military.
And, while the holiday kicks off the unofficial start of summer, many companies use the days surrounding the holiday to introduce upcoming corporate social responsibility efforts. If you’d like to find ways to encourage your employees to give back to our troops, consider:
Hosting a Company Service Day at a Veterans’ Home
In the past, Give2Get has partnered with nonprofits to take company employees to veterans’ homes where they are invited to plant vegetable and flower gardens, refurbish recreation rooms or outside spaces, and teach technology or employment skills to veterans. After beautifying these spaces or teaching valuable communication or career skills, volunteers have hosted barbecues for veterans who live at the home.
Creating Care Packages
We are proud to have partnered with Operation Gratitude on several occasions for CSR events, building care packages, writing cards of support, and hand-crafting life-saving paracord bracelets for troops overseas. Troops can be sent everything from snacks to games to socks, which make long days away from hometowns and families easier.
For long-term support, you can adopt a troop to send them regular care packages and support cards.
Supporting Homeless Veterans
Approximately 11% of homeless individuals in America are veterans. One of the best ways to support these members of our community is to assemble hygiene kits and make or donate blankets at a local outreach shelter. Many homeless veterans are disabled and/or struggle with mental illness. Outreach team members provide blankets and other items to those who are homeless to build a rapport with them and introduce them to long-term support systems that will help them transition out of homelessness.
Cleaning and Decorating at Cemeteries
Many towns host services to honor fallen heroes. One way you and your employees can assist in the days leading up to the holiday is by going to veterans’ cemeteries and weeding around gravestones. This way, when family members go to the cemetery to remember their loved ones, they will see that others have remembered them as well. Hosting a donation drive for flowers and small flags to decorate the headstone will show your appreciation as well.
Saying Thank You
If you have an employee who is a veteran or who has veterans or active military members in their family, consider expressing your thanks for their service. Cards of gratitude will go a long way for those who have served.
Although Memorial Day is only a few weeks away, there is still time to plan a CSR event that will suit your needs. Contact us to discuss opportunities for your company to give back to the troops.