Tag: donate to veterans

What Your Donations Do for Veterans

Posted on by Jordank

If you’ve donated clothing and other household items to ClothingDonations.org in the past, you may be aware that your stuff helps fund programs that support veterans throughout the country. But do you know how, and what your donations fund?

When you give the things you no longer need, the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA) resells them in bulk to partner thrift and secondhand stores, where other people can shop for great deals on lightly used stuff.

VVA takes the proceeds and uses them to underwrite range of programs. On the national level, the association helps veterans tap government benefits and health care guaranteed to those who have served, and lobbies on behalf of veterans in the nation’s capital.

Aware that war can have challenging health effects for decades after a deployment, VVA offers outreach programs to veterans suffering from Agent Orange exposure, homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse.

It offers programs targeted to POW/MIAs and their families, minority veterans, women veterans, and justice-involved and jailed veterans. In other words, it is a comprehensive, wraparound service organization operated by and dedicated to Vietnam veterans.

As Vietnam veterans have aged and the country has continued to engage in overseas conflicts, VVA has expanded its mission to welcome veterans of all U.S. conflicts. “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another” is its motto.

VVA programs are supplemented and supported at the local level by the organization’s more than 500 chapters nationwide. The chapters use some of the money raised through ClothingDonations.org to host educational and social events, honor veterans, and give back to their communities through parades, scholarships and sponsorships.

Last month, for example, dozens of VVA chapters celebrated National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, hosting luncheons, memorial observances and educational programs around the country to thank veterans living and dead for their service.

While donations to ClothingDonations.org don’t pay for the entirety of the programs VVA offers, the money raised eases the organization’s fundraising burden while providing you — the loyal readers of the Organizing Blog — with an easy, earth-friendly way to get rid of your unwanted stuff.

The nation’s veterans appreciate every donation, and thank you for your support!

Building Upon the Benefits of Decluttering

Posted on by Jordank

The Organizing Blog has often extolled the many virtues of decluttering in streamlining your space and building your overall well-being — and offered plenty of targeted advice on many aspects of the topic.

We have also made it easy to get rid of the extra junk that we’ve helped you clear out of your closets, basements and garages by contacting ClothingDonations.org for convenient, tax-deductible pickups throughout the year.

But you may not yet be aware of what happens to your donations and the ways in which they help the nation’s veterans. Reducing clutter is reward enough, but your donations are crucial to programs that help veterans throughout the country.

When you donate to ClothingDonations.org, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) coordinates pickup. VVA is a national veterans service organization that’s funded mostly though fundraising activities and membership fees.

The association’s primary source of funding is the resale of items donated to ClothingDonations.org. VVA picks up your generous donations and resells them in bulk to qualified, privately owned thrift-store operators, who in turn sell the used goods to bargain-shoppers.

Money from resale goes directly to local, state and national programs designed to help VVA’s more than 75,000 members, other veterans in need and their families. They help throw chapter get-togethers, build memorials to those who gave their lives in service, send veterans’ grandchildren to college and more.

Proceeds from your donations assist veterans nationwide in accessing guaranteed government benefits, affordable housing and health care. They help veterans cope with problems such as Agent Orange exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse.

On a national level, VVA uses the funds to advocate for legislation supporting veterans such as the Blue Water Navy Act. In short, all funds garnered from donation pickups help veterans continue to be active and vital members of the communities in which they live.

So, the next time you schedule a pickup with ClothingDonations.org, you can feel doubly good. Your simple act — decluttering — will not only improve your situation, but will also improve the lives of thousands of veterans in your community and others throughout the country.

We make it easy to #ThankAVeteran and give something back!

Observing the Anniversary of 9/11

Posted on by Jordank

On the 16th anniversary of 9/11, the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA) encourages readers of its blog to remember the 2,996 people who perished in the devastating terrorist attacks against the United States that day, as well as the sacrifices made by more than 2.5 million U.S. personnel who have served in the global war on terror since. Show them and the rest of the nation’s veterans that you care today by offering a meaningful thank-you for their service, and donate some of your time, money or expertise to a veteran or veterans group.

Service in Remembrance of 9/11

Posted on by Jordank

Every Sept. 11, events around the country commemorate the shocking and terrible events of that day in 2001. But it’s also a good time to pause and remember the veterans who were called into service after that fateful day, as well as those of the nation’s other foreign wars.

In New York City, you can visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which houses thousands of artifacts and photographs from 9/11, as well as more than 1,900 oral histories. In the Washington, D.C., area, remembrances will be held at the Pentagon Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other locations.

People everywhere in America can commemorate 9/11 closer to home, however. Since the first anniversary of the attacks, Sept. 11 has been designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance — a day to dedicate time and energy to charitable service as a tribute to 9/11 victims, survivors and servicepersons.

People throughout the country stage food drives, help spruce up public spaces and honor veterans on Sept. 11, and you can, too. Use this search tool to find opportunities to serve, and share your volunteer experiences on the social media, tagged #911Day, to spread the word and get more people involved.

You can also honor veterans any day of the year by clearing out the stuff you no longer need and donating it to ClothingDonations.org. Donations are distributed to secondhand and thrift stores, and the proceeds go toward veterans’ programs nationwide.

No matter when they served, combat leaves an indelible mark on veterans; more than a third will experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following their service. For Vietnam vets, that stress was compounded by a lack of respect for an unpopular war; for younger veterans, by unpredictable and unconventional attacks.

This week, honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by donating a few hours in service to your country. First responders and those who serve in the nation’s military forces gave life and limb in the aftermath to protect the American way of life, and the survivors will appreciate your support.

Remembering Veterans on Independence Day

Posted on by Jordank

Celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Fourth of July is marked by picnics, parades and above all, patriotism. And as with any holiday that demands the unfurling of the Stars & Stripes, it’s a great time to remember those who have served the nation.

The United States was borne of civil uprising. At first fighting what was a guerrilla war, rebels battled colonial rule and eventually formed the Continental Army. Seven bitter years of warfare later, a truce was declared, and six years after that, the founding fathers put forth a set of tenets for the country to live by.

Ever since, the nation has been in and out of conflict to guarantee life, liberty and pursuit of happiness on behalf of its own citizens and often, those of far-flung nations. Hundreds of thousands have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States, and many of those who returned home relatively intact still bear the less-visible scars of war.

If you see a veteran on the Fourth, stop and thank that person. Express your gratitude for defending the liberties that we so often take for granted. Hand him or her a hot dog, or offer up one of your lawn chairs for the fireworks display. Many still struggle to meet the daily obligations of civilian life, and will appreciate the kindness.

War is hell, and many of today’s surviving veterans suffer from physical disabilities and mental-health issues such as depression and PTSD. And the Vietnam veterans who are lucky enough to have their health and connections in the community are aging fast, and will appreciate recognition of the accomplishments made in their younger days.

As with any long weekend, you can take a day to clean out your closets and contact ClothingDonations.org for a pickup. Donations are tax-deductible and help fund programs that do everything from organizing social outings for veterans to building homes and providing medical care.

They served proudly and unselfishly, without thought for themselves — only the United States, its flag and its freedoms. Thank, honor and salute veterans on the most festive day of the summer; they fought for everything we celebrate.