Homefront Help

An empty seat at a big production does no one any good. So, the Veteran Tickets Foundation provides free or discounted tickets for all sorts of shows and events to members of the military community. Organization personnel work with leagues, groups and venues to obtain the passes and also accept donations of tickets or funds from the general public. The military community can check out the Events section to find out which shows and games are or will be available. To request tickets, users must create an account with the website.

Through the Hero’s Wish program, certain troops, veterans and families of service members killed in action can ask one time for specific tickets to a single event and donors will help to fulfill the request.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s senior news editor.

Helping troops wounded in battle is not only patriotic, it also can be a lot of fun. The Gary Sinise Foundation puts on or takes part in many events to help build the community around troops and first responders. One of its initiatives is the Building for America’s Bravest program to construct smart homes for severely wounded veterans. Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band are touring in 2013 to help raise the funds necessary for the effort by selling tickets and seeking sponsorships and donation. The next concert takes place May 10 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Tampa, Florida, to help Sgt. Michael Nicholson, USMC, who became a triple amputee and has traumatic brain injury after being hurt by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

More concerts are scheduled throughout the year across the country. Go rock out for a great cause!
 

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s senior news editor.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is offering My HealtheVet as the personal health record to help veterans, active-duty troops, dependents and their caregivers partner better with their health care teams. Members of the military community who have not accessed their account in a while will find upgraded features including different levels of accounts. Eligible personnel who have never created an account may want to apply for one now to access all the benefits available.

Options available to site visitors include direction to the most popular features, including the most requested forms. The enhanced Blue Button adds several categories of information from the VA Electronic Health Record. Or veterans can request a handbook personalized to their particular needs.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s senior news editor.

Many people are familiar with Pat Tillman’s story. He left an NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals to become a U.S. Army Ranger after 9/11 and was subsequently killed in the line of duty. His family and friends started the Pat Tillman Foundation to provide scholarships for military veterans and their spouses. Eligible parties interested in becoming a Tillman Military Scholar can learn more about the criteria online. The application period for 2013 is now closed, but student veterans who want to gain information before applying next year, as well as learning what programs qualify, can start their research by visiting the site at any time.

One of the best ways to support the organization occurs later this month at Pat’s Run on April 20 at Arizona State University. Registration is open until April 12 or until all spots are taken. Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 480-621-4074.

People who want to support the foundation in other ways have several options. Team Tillman includes amateur athletes who compete in marathons, half marathons, triathlons, cycling or other athletic events throughout the country to raise money and awareness for the foundation. Or people can give money through more familiar means such as planned gifts, third party fundraisers and straight donations.

The idea that troops and veterans should not come home from war feeling alone or forgotten—especially if they are injured—is a message that many have tried to drive home for years. Quilts of Valor answered the call to action by taking a simple idea and growing it into a huge grass roots effort that has provided tens of thousands of pieces of comfort to returning warfighters and veterans. As the name suggests, these items are large lap quilts that makers offer as a symbol of gratitude from the American people.

The organization has posted requirements for quilters ready to jump in and get started. The group matches up people who can make toppers with longarmers who can use their machine to quilt the pieces; topper makers and longarmers are both in demand. People who have never made a quilt before can try to find coaches on the site who will help them get started. Of course, coaches are needed, too. Anyone who still wants to help out but without trying their hand at sewing can make a donation online.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s senior news editor.

Deployments and mobilizations are hard. To help combat the challenges, the U.S. Defense Department has released Plan My Deployment—a series of tools, checklists and tips to help military families as they deal with separation. The offering applies to active duty, Guard and Reserve troops. Visitors will find resources for the various phases of deployment, from the preparation stage through reintegration.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

After service members are injured in battle, having their loved ones nearby during recovery can speed the healing process. Luke’s Wings looks to facilitate the rehabilitation by purchasing travel agency services and travel tickets for families. The end result is encouragement and motivation for everyone involved in the situation. But the organization doesn’t stop there. It also fills requests from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans in care facilities who want to see their loved ones. This Veterans in Hospice Care Program serves as a “final salute” to those who have served their country.

The various efforts are made possible through donations from individuals and through corporate sponsorships. Information about donating is available on the organization’s website. People who need assistance can request travel funds online as well.

Any companies that want to help have a special call to action. Currently, Luke’s Wing is running a fundraiser it calls the 50 by 5 campaign. Officials are seeking 50 businesses to make a tax-deductible contribution of $5,000 in 2013 to the nonprofit’s mission. If successful, the organization can fulfill every flight request it receives this year. Supporters will be featured on the website and in upcoming media opportunities. For more information, contact Lindsay Kin at (202) 735-5694 or lindsaykin@lukeswings.org.
 

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

Anyone who follows Homefront Help, or veterans news in general, knows that finding meaningful employment for former service members is a serious concern. For that reason, the Code of Support Foundation and a variety of partners are featuring the Musical VETStravaganza on February 17 that salutes veterans and highlights the Hiring Our Heroes program. The show starts at 3 p.m. at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. Performers include country music stars Mark Wills and David Kroll as well as the West Point Cadet Glee Club.

The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. They can be obtained online at www.lisner.org or by phone at 202-994-6851 and 202-994-9599.
 

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

For many wounded warfighters, leaving the hospital is only the first step on a long journey toward healing and a renewed sense of belonging in the world. Purple Heart Homes reaches out to such service-connected disabled veterans from any conflict and their caregivers through two specialized programs. Veterans Aging in Place helps older veterans who currently own a home, while the Veteran Home Ownership program aids disabled former troops with becoming homeowners. Assistance ranges from adapting homes to accommodate injuries, building a home from the ground up or modifying a foreclosed home, all with the purpose of assisting veterans reintegrate into their communities.

Purple Heart Homes partners with local contractors who can take ownership of the process and thereby work with existing supply networks. This process involves members of the community from the outset. In addition to looking for volunteers from the building trades to lend a hand, the organization seeks people who can help with registration, fundraising, publicity or feeding volunteers, and is happy to use the enthusiasm of any hard workers willing to help out. Anyone interested in participating can learn more on the volunteer page. Disabled veterans interested in taking advantage of the available resources can fill out an application online to participate in the programs.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.

The NHL strike is over, and amateur hockey is going strong. Defending the Blue Line helps military children enjoy the sport by providing free equipment, hockey camps, special events and financial assistance for other costs associated with playing the game. Families interested in taking advantage of the offerings can learn more on the website. Certain programs and the grants for 2013 open later in the year.

Hockey enthusiasts who want to help out can donate equipment, volunteer or offer services associated with hockey.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL’s news editor.