CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Families are "adopting" veterans to show their support just in time for the holidays.
The holiday season can be a looming stressor for active-duty service members, veterans and their families. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports holiday stress rises from mental health concerns with difficulties adjusting to civilian life, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or guilt.
Leaders with Soldiers' Angels say financial stress for veterans can leave families without presents or food on the table. President and CEO of Soldiers' Angels Amy Palmer is an Air Force veteran that says she understands the financial struggle for service members coming out of service. Palmer says the program helps families as they wonder how they will get through the holiday.
"It does create a lot of stress," Palmer says. "We also have a lot of veterans that are waiting for VA disability benefits or appealing their ratings for benefits and it does make it stressful, especially those in transition."
The national organization helps by offering annual holiday support with their Adopt-A-Family program. Eligible families include deployed service members, low income, homeless or injured veterans with disability benefits. Local families can connect with veteran families to offer presents and grocery gifts for holiday meals.
The organization expects to support over 2,000 families nationwide but still have 700 families needing Christmas support. Out of those 700, 25 families with 80 children in total need help right here in South Carolina.
Palmer says local families use volunteer profiles that have more information on supported families including specific needs that can be addressed.
"Especially with older kids who may want clothing or a hoodie or something," Palmer says. "To be able to ask questions about that makes it a little bit easier so you're not trying to guess what they want. That you can be more specific and it makes it a bit more personable to be able to coordinate with those families."
Families, businesses and organizations still have time to sign up for the program. Interested volunteers can find out how online. Leaders also urge support for events such as the group's monthly food drive.