In observance of Military Appreciation Month in May, numerous organizations have created campaigns designed to honor the dedication and sacrifices of U.S. military personnel and veterans.
The programs aim to foster recognition and gratitude for the service of members of the U.S. armed forces.
Promotions to Support Service Members and Veterans
Team RWB’s Old Glory Ultra Relay
This May, 12 U.S. military veterans are going for a world record for carrying a single American flag 3,000 miles across the country, from San Diego to Washington, D.C.
Team Red, White & Blue’s Old Glory Ultra Relay kicks off on the USS Midway in San Diego on Friday, May 2, 2025, and runs through May 17.
Their goal is to raise $1 million for veteran health and wellness. See the route map, meet the team, learn how to donate, and more here.
Team RWB, a nonprofit founded by veterans, organizes events and programs designed to improve veteran health and camaraderie.
Soldiers’ Angels
In 2025, the national nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels is again holding its Honor Military Working Dogs collection campaign. The program was created to help send highly requested items to deployed service members and working dogs.
From May 4-10, 2025, you can donate either by shopping local or choosing items from an Amazon wish list. Learn more about the Honor Military Working Dogs initiative.
Soldiers' Angels is also hosting its Go Camo Care Package Collection, which supports the mental health of deployed service members by collecting and shipping the top-requested care package items. The organization has sent more than 1 million care packages to combat-deployed service members over the past 20 years. Learn more about the collection at soldiersangels.org/gocamo.
Project Recover
The national nonprofit dedicated to finding and bringing home America's missing-in-action (MIA) service members is looking for sustaining donors to join the monthly giving challenge. Each monthly donation will automatically earn chances to win prizes from GOVX through the end of 2025. Many Project Recover team members will be spending their Memorial Day at the memorial and burial of 2nd Lt. Thomas Kelly Jr. In 2017, a Project Recover team found the B-24 from where Kelly's remains were later recovered. Learn more at www.projectrecover.org.
How to Donate to Support the Military Community
In addition to corporations running promotions during Military Appreciation Month, there are also many nonprofit organizations that offer opportunities to support the military and veteran community during Military Appreciation Month and year-round.
Below are 10 more nonprofit organizations to remember during Military Appreciation Month, recommended by The Charitable Payraise. They are among the most trusted charities supporting the military community and veterans:
Purple Heart Foundation: This 501(c)(3) is among the nonprofit organizations that have special benefits and support for service members who have been awarded a Purple Heart. It raises funds to support U.S. veterans and their families.
Wounded Warrior Project: The organization, founded in 2003 to provide care items to hospitalized service members wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, today focuses on mental health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care and advocacy efforts.
Disabled American Veterans: The century-old, congressionally chartered veterans group helps disabled veterans and their families, including assistance with filing benefits claims, getting to medical appointments and finding jobs.
Fisher House Foundation: This top-rated military and veteran nonprofit is a private-public partnership that helps meet military families’ food, lodging, and transportation needs that go beyond the assistance provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
USO: One of the longest running troop organizations, with more than 80 years of assisting service members and their families, United Service Organizations support troops in a variety of ways, from care packages and airport lounges to visits from celebrities in war zones.
Homes For Our Troops: This nonprofit organization builds houses that are custom-made, allowing disabled veterans to live on their own without needing constant care.
Semper Fi Fund: The fund provides direct financial assistance and vital programming for combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured service members and their families during hospitalization and recovery.
Operation Homefront: Its Transitional Homes for Veterans program offers rent-free housing for veterans as a means to build financial security and promote homeownership.
The Gary Sinise Foundation: Established under the philanthropic direction of Gary Sinise, an actor and 40-year advocate for the nation's military and defenders, the foundation builds specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans, hosts morale-boosting celebrations at military medical centers and provides meals to veterans and their families.
Honor Flight Network: This nonprofit organization gives military veterans the chance to see monuments and landmarks by flying them to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials that honor their service to the nation. Veterans can visit the Air Force Memorial, National Mall, U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other landmarks.
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