Among those to remember during the holiday season are military veterans and those who are serving our country.

Butler VA

The Butler Veterans Administration welcomes donations of all kinds, especially toiletries like shampoo, lotion, body wash, tooth paste, conditioner and shaving products. Money and gift cards for gasoline and groceries can also be donated. Many of these items can also be used by their Homeless Veterans team.

Individuals planning to donate can contact the Voluntary Services department at the VA Butler Healthcare before making a donation to verify what items are acceptable and needed. That number is 878-362-8262, extension 6960 or 6957.

There are also many other ways to help active military personnel and veterans all year.

DONATE DIRECTLY

Groups like the United Service Organization, website www.uso.org, and Support Our Troops, website www.supportourtroops.org, have multiple programs for sending gifts and packages to troops and their families throughout the year. Both organizations also accept monetary donations.

The Yellow Ribbon Girls of Ellwood City makes mailing lists of soldiers in need of cards, letters and packages. The group created an Adopt A Soldier program in which people can adopt packages sent to deployed solders at a cost of $50 per package. The items they require the most are batteries, beef jerky, toilet paper, protein bars and powdered drink mix. Visit www.yellowribbongirls.com or its Facebook page.

A nonprofit organization known as the Veterans in Need Fund provides veterans with emergency financial assistance. To make donations to the fund, contact the group’s chairman, John Cyprian, who is also the director of county Veterans Services, at 724-284-5352.

The VA Butler Healthcare has the Adopt-a-Veteran program, which has been scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers, especially drivers, are needed to support various functions for the served counties, including Butler, Armstrong, Mercer, Lawrence and Clarion. People wishing to support a veteran at the Butler VA or volunteer should contact Andrew Pepe, voluntary services chief, at 878-271-6960 or via email at Andrew.pepe@va.gov.

GIVE BLOOD

Giving blood helps veterans as well as military personnel and their families. People wishing to donate blood should contact Vitalant at 877-258-4826. Vitalant has offices at the Butler Health System Crossroad Campus on Oneida Valley Road in Summit Township and in Butler Centre, 20421 Route 19 in Cranberry Township. Donors can also find a blood drive or donation center by contacting the American Red Cross at ww.redcrossblood.org.

SUPPORT TROOPS’ FAMILIES

Deployed troops miss the holidays. The families of active service members feel this too. Ways to show support to these families include handwritten cards, holiday gifts, cookies and community events. Find out more through organizations like Military One Source or the American Red Cross, Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, at 724-283-2810.

VOLUNTEER

While active troops need support, veterans also need support. Show your appreciation for those who have served by volunteering at the VA Butler Healthcare or a nursing home.