Tag: supporting veterans

African Americans and the Vietnam War

Posted on by Jordank

It’s Black History Month — a great time to remember that African Americans have served honorably in the U.S. military for as long as there has been a U.S. military. But service often meant fighting for one’s country even while being denied equal rights at home.

More than 300,000 Black Americans fought in the #Vietnam War, making up an outsized share of those drafted (16.3%) compared to representation in the general U.S. population (11%). Black soldiers were more often assigned to combat duty in Vietnam and less likely to be elevated to command roles.

Fighting shoulder-to-shoulder in desegregated units for the first time in Vietnam often helped build camaraderie among the troops, regardless of racial and ethnic differences. But most Black #veterans recall discrimination during and after their service.

Upon being drafted or enlisting, “Black soldiers were immediately faced with discrimination and racism during basic training, which typically took place in the Jim Crow South,” an article in Time magazine says. “The racism was there: It was real and felt between soldiers.”

After the war, Black veterans suffered disproportionately high rates of PTSD and were twice as likely as white veterans to lack full-time employment. Veterans Affairs often routinely denied Black veterans’ claims for disability benefits even through the 1970s.

Institutional and interpersonal barriers have since eroded with no small amount of struggle. Military service is now regarded as a viable career option among African Americans; today, they make up one-quarter of enlisted Army soldiers while making up 13% of the population.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and its local chapters support all veterans of all U.S. conflicts by helping with benefits claims and connecting them with health care and mental health care services, housing and job assistance, and much more. And it does this with your help!

You can easily support the nation’s #veterans by clearing out some of your #clutter and scheduling a #free #donation #pickup with ClothingDonations.org. Your lightly used clothing and household goods will be resold to #support programs that #veterans rely on nationwide.

Celebrate Black History Month with a #donation! You’ll #support veterans and eliminate some of the #stuff you don’t need at the same time. #BlackHistoryMonth

The Holidays Are Coming in Hot

Posted on by Jordank

It happens every year — no sooner do the leaves start to turn and suddenly, it’s the #holiday season. This year, however, the #holidays are coming in particularly hot, so you can strap in for a wild couple of months of entertaining, socializing and shopping.

If you think that calendar “creep” is getting worse, you aren’t imagining it. “‘Summerween’ became a July phenom, pumpkin spice lattés launched at Starbucks in August, and Hallmark kicked off its Christmas movie hype in September,” says the advertising blog Muse by Clios.

With the economy on shaky ground and inflation on the rise, advertisers are focusing on value. You may have less money, time and energy to spread around during the season, not to mention fewer days to shop after a late Thanksgiving. How will you handle the season without succumbing to stress?

First, manage expectations of yourself, says UC Davis Health. Don’t overschedule. Calendar events and list your responsibilities. Simplify travel plans to reduce the time spent in cars and airports. Take a break when you fell stressed from #shopping, #cooking and #cleaning.

To stay within budget, manage your gift-giving. You don’t have to spend money you don’t have or give every single person you know a gift. You may be able to make some of the gifts you give or #thrift a few items at a discount. Crafting or baking homemade goods might even become a holiday tradition!

Make a list and check it twice, says the American Bankers Association. Note the people for whom you plan to buy, what your price range is and a few ideas for gifts. Look for bargains on the targeted gifts and (try to) resist impulse buying onscreen and in stores.

The holidays are also a season for giving to charity. About 1 million #veterans nationwide rely on SNAP benefits, which were recently interrupted; you can #donate to the local food bank to help solve some of that food insecurity at least temporarily.

You can also schedule a #donation #pickup at ClothingDonations.org to benefit #veterans at any time of year. Your lightly used #clothing and #household goods will be resold to fund programs that target food and housing insecurity, veteran health care, and more.

We’re in the thick of the holiday season already, but don’t stress. Get #organized — sort out what you need to do and tackle those essential tasks one by one. Then, kick back and enjoy!

How to Help Your Aging Relatives Declutter and Downsize

Posted on by Jordank

As people get older, they often enter a paradox: They have collected a lifetime of memorabilia and possessions, and they may only use a tiny fraction as their needs, interests and health circumstances change.

The problem isn’t limited to the elderly; people of all ages keep substantial amounts of things they don’t necessarily need. But the older one is, the more one is likely to have amassed a lot of #stuff — and the more likely that life changes will demand a #downsizing.

If one of your parents, relatives or friends is “getting up there” in age, they may need some help #decluttering. It can be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, says The Homes I Have Made, but the effort will be worthwhile.

#Clutter affects physical safety and mental well-being. Once thoroughly #decluttered, a home is easier to navigate and keep #clean if a relative plans on aging in place. And if they are planning on moving to a smaller space or a sunnier location, it will be easier to pack up and go.

The whole family can get involved if an aging parent has a lot of stuff — sharing memories and making new ones. Take your time, but have everyone involved target specific areas for decluttering. Have boxes and bags ready and take frequent breaks to enjoy one another’s company.

When you help a family member shed cherished furnishings and accessories, you can ensure that those things go to a good home. Someone in the family may need that antique armoire that’s been in the family for decades, for example, or want to give that dining-room set a new home.

Any unwanted goods can be #donated to a worthy charity. ClothingDonations.org accepts used clothing, furniture, appliances, housewares, kitchen items, media, toys and many other items, for example, and will pick them up to make #decluttering convenient. Those #donations will be resold to help fund valuable #veterans programs throughout the country.

It’s never easy to #declutter or #downsize, but your aging relatives don’t have to go it alone — or worse, suddenly have to make a life change that’s hindered by a lifetime of stuff. Start today to make their golden years happy, healthy and #clutter-free.

Treat the Vets in Your Life on Vietnam Veterans Day

Posted on by Jordank

Tomorrow, remember the #Vietnam #veterans in your life and community with a special visit, message, card or meal on National Vietnam War Veterans Day. But remember, you don’t have to wait for March 29 to honor and support #Vietnam #veterans. Every #donation made to ClothingDonations.org is resold to fund valuable veterans programs. That means that even as you improve your life and space by #decluttering, you can ensure that those who served have access to health care, food, housing, camaraderie and more. Fill a few boxes or bags with your unwanted #stuff and #schedule a #pickup today!

Have a Virtual Vietnam War Veterans Day

Posted on by Jordank

If you can’t find a National Vietnam War Veterans Day event in your area, you can recognize the nation’s #veterans virtually. Download a frame for your profile picture on Facebook to show that you’ve served or support those who did. Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to watch the wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Take a virtual tour of the Pentagon’s Vietnam War exhibit. Or send a #Vietnam veteran you know a message of thanks and goodwill. The nation’s veterans appreciate your recognition! #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay