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Support a military family during the holidays Veterans Count seeks the public's help in its efforts

Portsmouth Herald - 11/18/2017

Happy Holidays to all New Hampshire veterans, service members, and military families. The holiday season is often filled with joy and warm time with family. For some, the holidays can be a mixed bag: a lot of fun but also a lot of stress with all the extra expenses and the overload of commitments to family and friends.

For military families, stressors can be compounded by members of the family being overseas and unable to come home, gaps in pay when returning to civilian jobs after a deployment, and reintegration challenges. New Hampshire has many thousands of veterans who have completed their service, but are still struggling with the impact of their military duties. This often affects family finances, and can be particularly tough around the holidays.

There are many ways you can support a military family during the holidays. Easter Seals NH Military and Veterans Services provides help to service members, veterans, and their families all year round. But as the holidays approach, we gear up for an increase in needs. It is an honor to be there for those who have served, whether it's providing emotional support or a little bit of financial help when they need it most.

The public can help, too. If you'd like to show a military family that you appreciate their service and sacrifice, you can help pitch in around the holiday season: Bring some food over to a military spouse who is managing a household alone while a service member is deployed. Help a disabled veteran with snow removal. Offer to babysit so a parent can go gift shopping. Take up a collection at church. Or simply ask "What do you need? How can I help?"

Want to donate a toy? Or request a toy? The U.S. Marine Corps continues to run the Toys for Tots program. Find out where to donate and to request toys by visiting:

Request a toy

Donate a toy

You can also help us provide support through Veterans Count! Please consider sending a check (made out to Veterans Count, with "holiday gift" in the memo).

You can also send us gift cards (Wal-Mart, Target). These will go directly to military/veteran families in need this holiday season. Veterans Count, the philanthropic program of Easter Seals NH Military and Veterans Services, provides emergency financial assistance to veterans for critical and unmet needs. Veterans Count raises awareness about the challenges that can result from military service and raises money to help address these needs. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit vetscount.org. Or, mail your donation to Veterans Count, Easterseals NH, 555 Auburn St, Manchester, NH 03103.

Easter Seals NH Military and Veterans Services (MVS) offers Care Coordination to veterans of all eras - from World War II veterans to those who are currently serving.

Services are free, confidential, and provided locally - in the veteran's home or other convenient location. Care Coordinators are community caseworkers with extensive training in military culture. Their job is to do whatever it takes to help service members, veterans, and their families thrive.

Care Coordinators help those in crisis situations, and are also available to help families plan ahead and avoid problems when facing life changes and challenges.

If you know a service member, veteran, or military family in need, please contact the Intake Coordinator at ESNH MVS at (603) 315-4354.