Share

Thanksgiving is considered the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, and so far, it has succeeded in kicking off no less than three different unofficial retail holidays observed over a span of four days.

First there was Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, celebrated with massively popular "doorbuster deals," which enable companies to turn a profit and move from being "in the red" to "in the black." Then that gave way to Cyber Monday, in which e-commerce stores offered deep discounts to online shoppers. Feeling left out, mom-and-pop shops tried to lure customers away from big corporations by offering them Small Business Saturday specials, which occurred in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Lastly, in 2012, the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation started #GivingTuesday, the one post-Thanksgiving holiday devoted to charity rather than consumerism.

This year, Giving Tuesday will fall on November 27. There are many deserving nonprofits to which you can donate your time or money, but if you would like to give back to those who have given the most, here are some great ways to support veterans and military families this holiday season. 

"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.""The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."

Homes For Our Troops

Homes For Our Troops is a private nonprofit devoted to building custom-made homes for injured post-9/11 veterans, many of whom suffer from partial or full paralysis and require specially designed homes to grant them full independence and mobility. This year, the organization is setting a #GivingTuesday fundraising goal of $150,000. You can help the nonprofit hit that goal by donating directly, and by sharing their #GivingTuesday video on social media channels like Facebook. And if you really want a concrete way to get involved, you can learn how to attend a build event and help welcome a family into their new, mortgage-free home.

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

Many soldiers carry home wounds that aren't physical. Fortunately, there are resources available to them as well, including the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which serves United States military personnel experiencing Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress. The IFHF builds world-class advanced treatment centers that provide servicemembers with the best available TBI and PTS care. If you decide to get involved, you can feel good knowing that 100 percent of of every dollar donated from the public goes directly to funding programs.

Armed Services YMCA

For over 150 years, the Armed Services YMCA has provided servicemembers and their families with a place to turn for everything from recreational events to housing and educational programs. Low to no-cost childcare, hospital assistance, counseling, emergency food and clothing assistance are among the services that this top-rated charity provides to military families. You can help out by donating or volunteering at one of the Armed Services YMCA's 34 branch and affiliate locations.

USO

Closely associated with comedian Bob Hope, who in 1997 was named the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces" by Congress for his decades of performing for the troops, the United Service Organizations is a nonprofit that provides live entertainment to Armed Forces members and their families. The comedy shows and concerts put on by the organization help lift the spirits of those who serve. And despite being congressionally-chartered, the USO is not a government agency, and so relies on donations from supporters.

Toys for Tots

While not a charity that necessarily benefits veterans or military families directly, Toys for Tots is a program that is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Founded in 1947 by reservist Major Bill Hendricks, Toys for Tots is dedicated to providing gifts to children whose families are struggling financially during the holiday season. All you need to give is a new, unwrapped toy, making this a fun and affordable way to contribute to a proud, 70-year-old military tradition.

Whether you have the skills that could help build a house for a wounded warrior, the funds that could help treat a veteran's physical or mental war injuries or simply a new toy that could help the Marines' mission to provide gifts to the underprivileged, there are many ways to contribute to the cause this Giving Tuesday.

 height=