Veterans Day is November 11. Wondering how to thank veterans in your workplace and beyond? If you aren’t already, now’s a great time to start incorporating celebrations of giving and honor into your employee engagement calendar!
Thanking the veterans in your workplace isn’t just a nice thing to do for them, it’s also an excellent opportunity to engage all employees with gratitude and a good cause. Employees now more than ever are embracing workplace volunteerism, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and giving back to their community with coworkers. Veterans Day is the PERFECT time to engage.
How to Show Thanks on Veterans Day: 8 Tips for Engagement
According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 16 million veterans living across the U.S. Chances are, there are veterans in your workplace — do you know who they are? Extend your gratitude and organize team activities to show veterans that you collectively appreciate their service.
1. Participate in or sponsor a Veterans Day parade
Participating in your community’s parade on Veterans Day gives public recognition to the veterans on your staff and gets everyone else out cheering for them along the sidelines. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publishes lists of events to find one near you.
2. Explore a national park
The National Park Service waives park-admission fees for everyone in honor of Veterans Day! If you’re close to a national park, organize an employee outing. Getting out into nature is rejuvenating and can serve as a great bonding experience for employees.
3. Host a coffee break
Honor employees who are veterans with a midday social hour. Serve a yellow ribbon cake, decorate with American flags, and invite the whole office (and veterans’ families) to join in.
4. Send a company-wide thank you message
Ask the company CEO or another top leader to send an email message thanking the veterans in your workplace. Ensure that it provides a heartfelt message that illustrates gratitude for how veterans are an important segment of society who deserve our support and respect.
5. Organize a thank you note party
Provide cards, stamps, and pens, and invite employees to write a simple note of thanks to a vet they know. If anyone doesn’t know a vet, look up an organization that coordinates this type of support. Small acts of recognizing someone’s service, even anonymously, are appreciated.
6. Visit and talk with older vets (On Veterans Day or any time!)
Attend an event at your local Veterans Hospital or nursing home, or volunteer as a team activity. Encourage the volunteers to be social with the vets. Asking a vet about their service and listening with your full attention is one of the best ways to honor them.
7. Give to charity
Offer to match employee donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, Homefront America, or other charity organization that serves vets.
8. Donate food or company products
Help a local nonprofit or veterans services organization assist vets in need with donations of food or company products. Consider providing grocery gift certificates to hand out to people who visit. Be sure to involve employees closely in the project!
Looking for Other Holidays to Celebrate with Your Team?
Check out our annual Day-to-Day Employee Engagement Calendar, full of days, weeks, and months of ways to celebrate and engage employees!
Inside this unique resource you’ll find the inspiration, ideas and examples to help keep employees feeling valued and important to the success of your organization. Don’t wait? It is suitable to start using ANY time of year. Download your free copy today!
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Top Photo by IIONA VIRGIN on Unsplash
Veterans Memorial Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash
