Your Good Deed for the Day Doesn’t Have to be a Miracle!

You don’t have to be a war veteran to be a hero, but that doesn’t mean the people who serve in the military aren’t! Men and women serving in the military sometimes give their lives for the sake of a country and its people. These men and women, soldiers and veterans, all serve their countries with bravery and honor. Because of the risks these people take, they are often given honors and awards for their service, such as the purple heart.

But what is a purple heart in the military? What does it mean? The purple heart is a uniquely American honor given in the name of the President to soldiers who have been wounded or killed in combat. This honor is one of the highest that can be bestowed upon a veteran, especially if they were wounded while protecting another soldier.

You may be asking yourself what a purple heart has to do with you being a hero. The answer is, your donations, whether it’s spare change to military charities or clothing donations to your local church, can often help military families in need. While members of their family are serving, or have served, you can help make their lives a little bit easier by taking a small amount of time out of your day. Charities like the Wounded Warrior Project, among many others, can help raise awareness and inform people who may be asking “What is a purple heart in the military?”

You don’t have to be a saint to perform every day miracles. A miracle can be as simple as donating money to help someone put food on the table, or giving gently used clothing to your local donation bin. Studies show that a staggering 12 million tons of clothing waste are disposed of every year. Why contribute to that wasteful behavior when you could be an every day superhero, just by donating instead of putting that shirt you never wore into the trash bin?

In 2011, an estimated 2 million tons of clothing was either recycled or donated to families in need. You can be a part of making that number grow, and it will only take a little bit of time out of your schedule. You don’t have to wear a purple heart to be a hero, so what are you waiting for?