How You Can Help Military Personnel, Veterans
May is Military Appreciation Month. In addition to featuring and celebrating industrial metals sector workers who served their country in uniform, MSCI wanted to provide information about how you can support these brave individuals and the millions of other veterans and members of the military. Here are four foundations dedicated to serving those who served.
Travis Mills Foundation
The Travis Mills Foundation was founded in 2013 by Travis Mills, retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and recalibrated warrior, to support post-9/11 veterans who were injured in active duty or as a result of their service.
The foundation supports recalibrated veterans and their families through their all-inclusive and all-expenses-paid retreat in Maine. At the retreat, veterans and their families participate in various programs, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy well-deserved rest and relaxation in Maine’s great outdoors. Activities such as fishing, painting, yoga, cooking, and hiking are all adapted to fit the need of these heroic men and women and used to help them overcome physical and emotional obstacles.
Click here to learn more about the Travis Mills Foundation and ways to get involved.
Stop Soldier Suicide
Did you know the military suicide rate is 57 percent higher than the national average?
That’s why three U.S. Army veterans co-founded Stop Soldier Suicide in 2010. Stop Soldier Suicide’s focus is to help veterans and active-duty service members find healing when they need it most through mental health support, alternative therapies, and education.
When someone reaches out to Stop Soldier Suicide, they’ll be connected with a wellness coordinator who provides cost-free personalized support and assistance. Together, they’ll develop an action plan to navigate the challenges they’re facing and find a path forward.
Click here to learn more about Stop Soldier Suicide’s impact and ways you can support.
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America (WAA) was created with the mission to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom. WAA conducts several programs to honor our veterans, but their most prominent program occurs in December on Wreaths Across America Day.
Each year WAA travels from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery stopping along the way at schools, monuments, and veteran communities to remind people how important it is to remember, honor, and teach. Then, on Wreaths Across America Day, volunteers coordinate wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 3,700 locations across the U.S., at sea, and abroad to honor our fallen veterans during the holiday season.
Click here to learn more about Wreaths Across America and ways you can get involved .
K9s For Warriors
K9s For Warriors is the largest provider of service dogs for veterans in the United States. Their mission is to help end veteran suicide and return veterans to a life of dignity and independence by pairing them with service dogs. K9s For Warriors gets the majority of their dogs from high-kill shelters and trains them to be paired as service dogs for veterans with service-connected post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma.
Veterans who apply and are accepted attend a three-week in person training at one of K9s For Warriors’ locations where they’ll meet their trained service dog and build a bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery.
Click here to learn more about their programs and ways you can support.
Click here to read other pieces in this series and join the Military Appreciation Month conversation on MSCI’s Community Forum.