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Ways to Give Back to the Military

18 ways to donate your money, time, and items

Donate Money

SEAL Family Foundation

Support US Navy SEALs and their families through scholarships, children’s programs, and Gold Star family initiatives.

Wounded Warrior Project

Aid service members and veterans who incurred an injury during their military service on or after September 11, 2001.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Assist with financial, educational, and other needs for active duty and retired sailors and marines.

Courage to Call

Back the veteran-run, peer-to-peer, 24/7 help line for veterans, military, and their families.

Operation REBOOT

Help service members and veterans who are transitioning from service and seeking civilian employment.

PsychArmor Institute

Bridge the gap between military and civilians with a donation to this national institute that trains civilians to effectively communicate with veterans.

 

Donate Time

USO San Diego

Help prep meals, staff special events, or welcome home service members at the airport.

Veterans Village of San Diego

Volunteer to staff VVSD’s annual Stand Down event, which provides goods and services to homeless veterans.

Pegasus Rising

Be a horse caregiver at this equine therapy program for military personnel and their families.

Dogs on Deployment

Join the online network for service members in search of volunteers to board their pets during service-related commitments.

Operation Gratitude

Assemble care packages to express gratitude to and lift the spirits of service members deployed overseas.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Show up to clean gravestones at this federal military cemetery that’s the final resting place for many notable Medal of Honor recipients.

Donate Items

Warrior Foundation Freedom Station

Gather food, household items, and gift cards for injured service members and their families recovering in transitional housing.

Operation Homefront

Contribute items to military families, including baby supplies for new mothers whose spouse is deployed, or school supplies for newly relocated military kids.

Operation Amped

Give surfboards, wet suits, and other gear to seriously ill, injured, or disabled veterans to use during therapeutic surf clinics.

Homefront San Diego

Offer a hand up to San Diego’s lower enlisted active duty military and their families by donating furniture, computers, groceries, and gift cards.

Toys for Tots

Help the US Marine Corps Reserve collect new, unwrapped toys from October through December each year to distribute among San Diego children in need.

Team AMVETS Thrift Stores

Drop off used clothing and household goods at a local store, where revenue is used to support veterans’ programs in the community.

A Little Help From Our Friends

The organizations that support service members

Ways to Give Back to the Military

By Kai Oliver-Kurtin

Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.

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