Paying It Forward During Military Appreciation Month

Published: May 5, 2021

Paying It Forward During Military Appreciation Month

Three Ways to Give Back to Military Families

 

By Kathy Roth-Douquet and Kevin Schmiegel 

We don’t have to tell you that 2020 was an unprecedented year. Between the ongoing pandemic and its physical, social, and economic toll, and the civil unrest that sparked deep and challenging conversations about racial injustice, very few people made it through the year unscathed by new, complex, and unanticipated stressors. 

 It was – and continues to be – a complex challenge for all, including those in our nation’s military who were called to respond to and assist in these issues while also experiencing the firsthand effects of them on themselves and their families.

To help raise awareness about these issues and address them, Blue Star Families and Operation Gratitude are joining forces to impact thousands of military families in a tangible way during Military Appreciation Month in May.  We believe, together, we can achieve a greater impact in the communities where we share ties to military families and volunteers of all ages from every walk of life.  

We are asking you, our veteran community,  to support this nationwide campaign in three actionable ways, and all three can be done from the comfort of your home:

1. Purchase a Starbucks eGift to show gratitude for our servicemembers and families! For every Starbucks eGift Card in its Military Appreciation Month category sold 5/1-5/31, Starbucks will donate $5 to be divided evenly between Blue Star Families and Operation Gratitude to support the mental health and well-being of our military community.  Send an eGift today. 
2. Give back, pay it forward, and write a handwritten letter of appreciation. OG will include your cards and letters in care packages we send to deployed Troops, and hand-deliver to military families in partnership with BSF in the coming weeks. 
3. Be a voice for change. Take the 12th annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey and share your experiences and stories so we can continue to assess the needs of veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. 

Your support is critical and the time is now to take action, as evidenced in many of the findings outlined in the Blue Star Families’ 2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.

During this symbolic month of May, and in response to current times, it’s our mission to do everything possible to give military families and veterans the support, information, tools, and, most importantly, a place to belong as we wade through unchartered territory, together. When we as a nation serve those who serve, we can create vibrant communities of mutual support. We’re all stronger when we take care of one another.