Throughout the history of the United States, millions of soldiers have made sacrifices to protect the lives of everyday Americans. In many cases, those sacrifices have resulted in injuries where veterans returning home are in need of help.

That can also be true of the loved ones of those returning veterans. Military families make sacrifices as well and are in need of support as they take care of their loved ones.

Fortunately in the United States, there are many organizations who led a hand to veterans in need. Organizations like the Purple Heart Foundation, Give an Hour, the Wounded Warrior project and Operation Homefront are just a few who take donations and do a lot of good for veterans in need. In 2018 alone, the Purple Heart Foundation helped nearly 20,000 people last year and secured $200 million in benefits.

Organizations like the Purple Heart Foundation do a lot of good in their communities. The Veterans Affairs system can be difficult for some to navigate and the Purple Heart Foundation makes that process easier. The organization can provide assistance for veterans for job training, education, housing, compensation and pension as well as death and burial benefits. When it comes to donations, the foundation has Purple Heart Pickup, which collects donations of clothing and household items and distributes them to needy veterans.

When it comes to donations, a little goes a long way. Donations of food, gently used clothing, money and household items are much appreciated by veterans.

There are plenty of good reasons to donate to charity and make donations for non profit organizations. Knowing what to do can help you make the most of those donations:

• Pursue your passion: Whatever your passion is in life, find a charity that matches your passion. If it’s animals, find an animal charity. If it’s military veterans, find organizations like the Purple Heart Foundation. When you find a cause you’re passionate about, you’re more likely to help organizations that work for that cause because you have a vested interested and a connection.
• Charity as investment: There’s a good chance that you’ve freely given money to charity (maybe in a bin or a collection plate) and never thought about it again. There’s nothing wrong with donating to charities in this way, but thinking of your donations as an investment in a charity can change your perspective entirely.
  By establishing an on-going, honest relationship with the charity of your choosing, you’ll have a vested interested in the success of the charity. If you’ve got a relationship with an organization, you’re more likely to want to lend support, especially when they might be doing annual telethons or charity drives.
• Research: If you want to donate to causes you’re passionate about, get online and do some research first. The last thing you want is to get involved in something with less than honorable intentions and be taken for a ride. When it comes to veterans organizations, sites like Charity Navigator can show you an organization’s financials and it keeps them accountable. There are many great organizations that do a ton of good work for the less fortunate. By putting a little bit of time in for some research, you’ll be able to find charities that match with your values and you’ll be more enthused about helping them and making donations.
• Donate in person: When it comes to actually making donations (especially money), a good rule of them is to only ever donate in person. This way you’re dealing directly with people who work for the organization.

There are plenty of reputable charity organizations out there doing a lot of good work for a lot of good causes like veterans and military families. In 2014 alone, charitable giving was more than $350 billion and the number has only grown since then. By finding a well-intended charity that you’re passionate about, you’ll gain a new outlook on donating and you’ll want to do more to help those in need.