How to Volunteer to Help Disabled Veterans
As of 2007, there were 23.6 million military veterans living in the United States. The same 2007 census reported that 6 million of those veterans living in the United States were disabled, a sad reality of war [source: Info Please]. According to those statistics, one in four veterans is disabled, and while the majority of them are over the age of 65, many younger soldiers have been added to that list since 2007 as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continue.
As you can imagine, returning from war with a disability can be an incredibly difficult transition --but you have the ability to make this transition easier. Many disabled veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a disorder that's generally developed after a terrifying event in which the victim is subjected to extreme physical harm or a life-threatening situation [source: NIMH]. In these cases, it's best to seek out professional help to deal with the problem at hand, but you can do your part by lending an ear and spending time with disabled veterans who may just need someone to talk to.
Those veterans suffering physical injury may need help achieving daily goals that many of us take for granted, such as grocery shopping and taking out the garbage. We can all make a difference by volunteering our help with these everyday chores. On top of that, those who own businesses can make a huge impact by hiring disabled veterans. There are also a number of grants set aside to help disabled veterans, particularly for education [source: Accessible]. Often times, the application process necessary to receive these grants is long and arduous, but the payoff is well worth it. You can help these men and women by assisting them with the process.
There are also a number of organizations set up to help disabled veterans. You can help by volunteering or making a donation to any of them. Read on to find out more about what they do.
Organizations Helping Disabled Veterans
Over the years, a number of different organizations have been formed to help disabled veterans. While all of these organizations have the same goal in mind, many of them approach it differently. Some serve to provide disabled veterans with financial assistance while others focus more on providing them with rehabilitation services. Another organization focuses solely on building functional homes for disabled veterans.
One of the most famous groups helping disabled veterans, veterans and current service members is the United Service Organization, or the USO. Bob Hope helped bring public awareness to the USO, which has been in operation for 67 years. It offers housing, emergency assistance and support groups. If you would like to help the USO, you can do so by making a donation, volunteering or becoming a partner [source: USO].
Another organization is DAV, or the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust. Its focus is on the rehabilitation of disabled veterans, and it strives to provide those veterans affected with specific disabilities such as amputation or blindness with the tools they need to live a fulfilling life. It also provides grants for disabled veterans, and since 1988, it has given $55.1 million away [source: Charity Navigator]. That's no small feat. DAV also employs National Service Officers who provide legal representation to disabled veterans free of charge in order to help them claim benefits [source: DAV]. As always, you can help by making a donation, or for a more hands-on approach, you could organize a fund raising event in your area.
Paralyzed Veterans of America, or PVA, is an organization that focuses its efforts entirely on helping those suffering from spinal cord injuries or spinal cord dysfunction [source: PVA]. Its commitment to research and education is helping to lead the charge in finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. Another organization, Homes for Our Troops, is making a difference by building specially adapted homes for disabled veterans. You can help by volunteering your time and getting your hands dirty [source: Homes for Our Troops].
These are just a few of the organizations helping disabled veterans. If you're passionate about this issue, one of the best ways to help is by raising public awareness. Simply talk about the issue at hand with your friends and loved ones. For more ideas and information, visit the links on the following page.