With the holiday season quickly approaching this time of the year a lot of people want to give back, want to help and want to reach someone and make a difference. There are numerous ways to give back and help someone else. Veterans Day is this upcoming Saturday and what better way to celebrate than to donate, volunteer and give back to them? It is not just giving back to them we are celebrating them, honoring them and remembering that they gave up so much to fight for us.

1. 1. 1. John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan – You can volunteer at this facility, it helps make the patients stay more enjoyable. Volunteers can perform a number of services, and volunteers talents are closely matched with one of assignments that the hospital offers. It ranges from volunteer van drivers to patient escort volunteers. They also accept donations in the form of:
         1. Hygiene products
         2. Refreshment supplies
         3. Cable television for inpatients
         4. Recreational activities
         5. Book
         6. Telephone cards
      2. AMVETS, Mount Clemens, MI – also known as American Veterans, it is the largest and oldest veteran service organization that is open to and fights for all veterans and their families. They assist veterans and sponsor numerous programs that serve our country and its citizens. They donate free time to brighten the lives of hospitalized veterans. They also host luncheons and dinners to raise money for veterans.
      3. Vietnam Veterans of America, Clinton Twp., MI – This is a support center and the facility is fully integrated serving ALL veterans with:
         1. Veterans Service Officers – filing and assisting with claims with the Veterans Administration
         2. Macomb County Veterans Food Pantry – emergency food for veterans and their families
         3. Honor Guard – assisting families with dignified and appropriate veteran funerals/burials
         4. POW/MIA Initiative – assuring that our missing service members will be brought home
         5. Speaker’s Bureau – bringing knowledge and truth about the Vietnam War to the young
         6. Veteran’s Treatment Court – providing mentors to veterans caught in the court systems
         7. Hospital Committee – ensuring that veterans in the VA Hospital are not forgotten
         8. Michigan Vietnam Veteran Traveling Memorial – honoring our 2,654 Michigan KIA’s
         9. Point man Ministries – peer group reinforcement of the spiritual aspects of life
         10. Al Anon – positive support for those struggling with substance abuse issues
         11. Scholarship Program – assistance for graduating high-school seniors of our members
      4. You can also take out a friend, family member or neighbor that you know is a veteran this weekend for a free meal, free haircut, a discounted item or even a free oil change. Check out this website that helps give you ideas on where you can go: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/veterans-day-freebies-and-deals-in-metro-detroit-2017/

If you or a loved one is a Veteran and needs help medically, wants to find a new friend, needs advice or if there is anything else please call Relevar Home Care, providers of home health care in Rochester, MI and the surrounding area, at (888) 493-3513.