One of the best ways to give back to those who served our country is by volunteering to support our active duty military officers and veterans. But, since there are so many programs, nonprofits, and community initiatives available out there, you need to find the best veteran volunteer organizations for volunteering opportunities that suit your skills, passion, and availability. This guide will help you determine the best options for volunteering in support of the military. Read more below.
Understand Your Interests and Strengths
While volunteering for military support is something that’s selfless, we should still think about things we enjoy doing and can be good at first before committing to any one particular role. Do you have a thing for event planning, emotional support, or teaching people stuff? Have you worked in health, finance, education, or legal services? Knowing what you are good at and interested in will help you find the right volunteer opportunities for military support where you can have the greatest impact.
Research Reputable Military Support Organizations
Not all volunteer programs are made the same. Search for established, trusted nonprofits and associations that work to help active-duty military members, veterans, and their families. MOWW, USO, Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), etc., as well as local VA hospitals, are organisations that tend to run multiple volunteer projects and will care for you well with the relevant training.
Decide Whether to Get Involved at a Local or National Level
Consider whether you want to volunteer in your local community or take part in a more far-reaching, perhaps virtual effort. Local options could include assisting with VA hospital visits, organizing care package drives, or mentoring veterans at community colleges. National or remote options might include writing letters to service members who are deployed, fundraising, or helping with virtual support groups. Either type of service serves its purpose — so pick the one that best suits your lifestyle and time frame. Make sure to join the best veteran volunteer organizations to get the right opportunities.
Consider Long-Term Impact
Volunteering is not only about doing nice things, it is also about making a lasting difference. Seek out sustainable volunteer opportunities for military support to ensure ongoing assistance. For instance, when helping a service member make the shift to civilian work or the spouse of a deployed soldier, there are long-term effects on their health and safety.
Vet the Program Structure
Before you sign up, ensure that the organisation is well-structured, knows what it wants out of its volunteers, and that there are resources to help with that. Effective programs will provide orientation, ongoing support, and ways to trace your impact. A properly run volunteer program will make sure your time and energy are well spent, and will support both volunteers and those being served.
Talk to Current Volunteers
Contact people already volunteering with the organization. Inquire about their experiences, what their challenges have been, and how the program has had an impact. Get a feel for whether the opportunity is right for you.
Want to create a lasting impact in the lives of veterans? Join the Dallas Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars if you seek impactful volunteer opportunities for military support. Check our website for more information.