November is a month of appreciation. Of course you support your emergency personnel and military, but do you know what you can do about it? Since we’re here to support our heroes, we’re sharing what folks can do to show first responder appreciation.
Here are just a few ways to support first responders, military, veterans, and their families.
Ready? Let’s do it!
10 Things You Can Do to Show First Responder Appreciation
Feed Them
Everybody’s got to eat, but in the fast-paced, unpredictable world of first responders, it’s hard to know when that will happen. Having a ready to go meal at their fingertips is like a gold mine. Stop in to your local department and bring pizza, subs, or a delicious home-cooked meal they’ll love. Don’t forget dessert!
Attend Events
Responders work hard for their communities on the job, but they also host community events on top of that. Coming to their events shows your first responder appreciation. And volunteering at their events shows you’ll go a little further in your support, and that is certainly appreciated.
Offer Care Packages
Whether you’re building care packages for deployed military or bringing some goodies to your local departments, it’s a morale boost for all who receive them. Plus, it’s fun to open and see what’s inside. You can pack personal care items to leave at the base for when they forget something, small treats like candy or gum, a deck of cards or other little games, or notes from the community.
Notes of Thanks
Speaking of notes, you can put together an effort of thank-you notes and cards to show first responder appreciation. Start with your household, local schools, church group, or get the whole community involved. A note of thanks and appreciation means the world to those working tirelessly for others. This is also a great idea for deployed military who are missing home. (Don’t forget to send pictures!)
Donate
In what ways can you donate your time, talents or treasures to support your first responders or military families? Maybe they need volunteers for a project, or maybe you’re a good cook, or they have repairs needed and it’s something you can help with. If nothing else, monetary donations help, but you don’t have to do that alone. You could put together a drive to support a major need for your local department and bring the whole community into this first responder appreciation project.
Share Gratitude Online
Whenever possible, show first responder appreciation online by sharing their posts, commenting with gratitude, or promoting their events on your own page. If you’re a local business owner, you can promote them on your business page too.
Support Local Business
Speaking of business, lots of small businesses are owned by former (or current) first responders or military. They support their own, and if you support them, you increase their efforts. Continue to build that community effort by buying and promoting local first responder and military personnel-owned businesses.
Fly the Flag
Spreading the word doesn’t have to be verbal, but that helps too. Show your first responder appreciation by flying the flag or posting it on your social channels. Whether it’s the American flag, a military emblem, or one of the first responder flags, it’s a display that shows someone is backing them.
Support First Responder and Military Families
There are so many factions out there supporting families, but many people don’t know about them—not even families. We have a list of resources here you can share. Support these groups, then share the information locally so the families near you receive the support they need. It’s not an easy life for them either.
Share & Offer Discounts
First responders, military, and their families could always use a little extra help. So, if you know, offer, or hear of any discounts, share that information. Business owners help by offering discounts and specials specifically for first responders and military and when you share that information, you help them take advantage and save some money.
The Attitude of Gratitude
This month is all about an attitude of gratitude. There’s so many ways you show some love for our heroes. Let’s show our first responder appreciation and support them and their families this month and all year long.