3 Ways to Give Back on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a day to honour those who gave their lives in service of their country. We wear poppies, give our minute of silence, and attend services held across the country to offer our respect to Canada’s men and women in the armed forces.
But there are ways to give back to those who gave so much that go beyond one day a year. If you want to support veterans year round, here are 3 ways to do it:
Support businesses that support veterans
There are a number of ways to support veterans but one of the best ways is to vote with your wallet. One option is to give your business to those companies that support veterans in meaningful ways. For example, there are a number of companies that participate in the Military Employment Transtion (MET) program.
These companies identify themselves as being military-friendly employers and offer opportunities to those looking for civilian careers. A number of insurance companies are part of this program – including Allstate, State Farm, and Belair Direct – so why not take an everyday purchase like home and auto coverage and turn it into a vote of support for those companies that support others?
Donate your points from loyalty programs
I buy everything with my credit card so I can earn loyalty points on everyday purchases. Then I pay off the balance every month to avoid interest charges. While it’s always nice to cash in some points to get a deal on a vacation, sometimes it’s better to put them towards a good cause.
Because I don’t really change the way I buy things just to earn points, it really is free money for me. Most loyalty programs like Air Miles and Aeroplan Miles offer ways you can donate your points to a worthy cause.
For example, check out Veteran Emergency Transition Services and click on their “Donate” tab. You’ll notice they have an option for mailing in your Canadian Tire Money as a donation to their services.
Volunteer your time to veterans
If you have some time to spare, volunteering a few hours every week can make a difference to people in a way that few other things can. Because there are such a wide variety of options, you can do anything from delivering Christmas dinner to senior citizen veterans to running music appreciation groups at your local community centre.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can research options on the Wounded Warriors website for ideas. They are a national organization that runs fundraisers, programs, and community events across the country and are always in need of volunteer support.
Today is a good time to think about those who have sacrificed on our behalf. But don’t limit your gratitude to one day a year. Look for ways to help out year-round.