Our military members and their families live a life of sacrifice in order to protect our country. Although they give more to us than we could ever return to them, there are still ways to show appreciation to military members and their families. It doesn’t have to be something extravagant, and sometimes just a simple thank you is all it takes to bring a smile to someone’s face. All that’s required is intentionally taking time out of our busy lives to show our military how much we appreciate what they are doing for us. Here are some ideas of ways you can show your appreciation to the military members and their families currently serving our country.
Send a Care Package
Our military members need some of the most basic things that we take for granted. You can visit the site Support Our Troops for a list of everything the soldiers are requesting along with instructions on how to send the care package. Many of these items can be purchased very inexpensively. An example of items that are requested are gum, beef jerky, small earphones, batteries, movies, CD’s, and peanuts. There are so many great items you can send.
Take Baked Goods to the USO
If there’s a USO near your home, you can do so much to make a difference. You can volunteer your time or just take some baked goods to the location. It all depends on how much time you have to spend. Volunteers are needed for everything from welcoming our troops home to cooking to just listening to troops and their family members.
Offer a Military Discount
If you own your own business, why not offer a discount to your military customers? Make sure you publicize the military discount and let them know they are receiving it as a token of appreciation for their service. If you don’t own your own business, talk to your manager about the possibility of providing a military discount to customers. It’s a great way to show that your business cares!
Hire a Military Spouse
Military families can have a difficult time adjusting to a new life when they move from one military base to another, especially when it comes to finding a job. If you’re an employer, consider hiring a military spouse to work for you. Not only do they often have skills in multiple areas of employment, but their ability to remain flexible and learn new skills can make them a valuable asset to your company.
Send a Card to a Solider
You can also send a card to a soldier. This is a simple way to let someone know that what he’s doing is making a huge difference. You can find instructions on sending a card or letter here.
Babysit
It can be hard to raise kids when your spouse is in the military. If your neighbor is a military spouse, you can offer to babysit whenever he or she needs to run errands or go to work. You can also offer to babysit the kids for a few hours when the spouse is home for a couple weeks. This allows the couple to spend a few hours alone.
Help Out the Family
Last, but not least, look for other ways you can help the family of the military member. It might be mowing the lawn, picking the kids up from school or cooking a meal for a family. Think about what he or she may need and do what you can to help. To you it may not seem like much, but everything helps and shows how much you care and how thankful you are.
K-9 Soldier Treats
Let’s not forget our four-legged friends serving us by the sides of our troops! If you’re a dog lover like me, you want to show your thanks to them, too. Did you know you can send treats and supplies to Military Paws serving us around the world? Check out the list and get more information here.
Our military members and their families give us so much. Isn’t it time we gave back? What creative ideas do you have on ways to show appreciation to military members and their families?
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