10 Non-Profit Organizations And Advocacy Groups That Help Veterans

Because the 99 percent who haven't served should thank the 1 percent who have on this and every other day.

1. Vietnam Veterans of America

Via Facebook: VietnamVeteransofAmerica

Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans since 1978. They accept monetary donations and also offer a donation pick-up service.

2. Hope for Warriors

Via Facebook: HopeForTheWarriors

They provide assistance to post-9/11 service members wounded in combat, their families as well as the families of those killed in action. It raises awareness by hosting Run For The Warriors in different areas of the U.S.

3. Pets for Patriots

Via Facebook: petsforpatriots

They pair veterans with adult shelter pets or those with special needs and provide financial assistance for their care.

4. American Veterans for Equal Rights

Via Facebook: AVER.HQ

It is the oldest and largest chapter-based, all-volunteer national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Veterans Service Organization in the U.S., and the nation’s only LGBT Veterans' Service Organization (VSO) recognized by the Veterans Administration.

5. Disabled American Veterans

Via Facebook: DAV

DAV was formed 94 years ago and remains the longest lasting veterans advocacy and assistance group in the country. It currently has over 1.2 million members.

6. Healing Heroes Network

Via Facebook: healingheroes

Healing Heroes Network provides financial assistance for care to military personnel injured in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan since 9/11.

7. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Via Facebook: IAVA.org

IAVA was founded in 2004 by an Iraq veteran and is the only 21st Century VSO dedicated to the 2.8 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

8. Student Veterans of America

Via Facebook: studentvets

SVA focuses on aiding veterans in higher education and was key in the passage of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 which provides funds for public universities for veterans who served three years on active duty since 9/11.

9. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Creative Commons / Via Flickr: shrued

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, over 49,000 veterans are homeless. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that about 1.4 million other veterans are considered at risk of homelessness. The NCHV provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support.

10. Wounded Warrior Project

Via Facebook: wwpinc.fans

WWP aids veterans and service members who were physically or mentally injured in action on or after 9/11. They offer 20 different programs in four sections: "Body," "Mind," "Economic Empowerment" and "Engagement. It currently serves more than 58,000 veterans (WWP alumni).