In Honor of VETERANS DAY
his Nov. 11, check out these military-member-focused nonprofits and organizations founded by veterans, celebs and more. —Megan O’Neill Melle
TFormer U.S. Marines Ray Smith and Sam Meek know that mail delivers smiles, so they founded SANDBOXX, a mobile app that turns your typed letter into physical mail and ships it directly to basic training or military bases around the world. $4, sandboxx.us
“No mind left behind” is the mission of HEADSTRONG,a free mental health service provider for veterans and families, co-foun`e` by former Marine Corps officer Zach Iscol (who also created veteran-focused job-matching site HIREPURPOSE). getheadstrong.org, hirepurpose.com
What happens when three vets and an admissions expert start a biz? SERVICE TO SCHOOL offers test and interview prep, résumé and transcript reviews, networking and more to help vets get into colleges and grad schools. service2school.org
1 Former NFL official an` Fox -ports analyst Mike Pereira is encouraging veterans to join a new team—the officiating crew. He founded BATTLEFIELDS TO BALLFIELDS to help former military members become sports officials. battlefiel`s2ballfiel`s.org
2 Grammy-winning country musician Zac Brown welcomes vets to his Georgia-based CAMP SOUTHERN GROUND, which features free workforce an` wellness programs (Warrior Week an` Warrior PATHH) that help post-9/11 military members transition to civilian life. campsouthernground.org
3 Known for playing Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump, Gary Sinise entertains troops with the Lt. Dan Band and raised more than $194 million between 2011 and 2019 through his (highly rate`) veteran charity, the GARY SINISE FOUNDATION. Recently, the org expanded to provide cognitive health support. garysinisefoundation.org