It is no secret that war veterans have a hard time adjusting to life at home when their tour of duty ends. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a very common ailment found in veterans that can cause extreme anxiety, flashbacks, and depression. Dancing Well: the Solider Project is aiming to fix just that.
Dedicated to bringing the healing power of music, dance, and community to veterans, this program’s mission is to bring light to those suffering from PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. They host a program once every two weeks, where the vets can bring their boots and get down to some country music. The act of dancing alone seems to bring anxiety levels down and helps harbor a sense of community and belonging as the vets recover. Bringing these veterans together allows them to see they are not alone, and there are others in their exact position willing to help them in the recovery process.
The success rate of this dance program is outstanding. Over 90% of the group’s participants said their memory and mood increased substantially from attending classes. It also provided an outlet for the whole family, giving them something fun to do together.
These dance classes don’t focus on skill or ability as the dance teachers focus on giving the veterans a good night out while helping them forget their troubles. Who knew lives could change with a little power of dance?
Another rewarding way to help veterans is through clothing donations. We all have extra clothes that can be sent to a good home. After all, over 12 million tons of used textile waste is thrown out in the United States every year. With the homelessness rate for veteran’s being almost 10%, giving charitable donations can help out in more ways than one.
Military families will also benefit from the clothing donations. An estimated 27% of military families in the United States have over $10,000 in credit card debt. Donating anything you can will help these families overcome their hurdles.
Have any clothing donations that are looking for a new home? Bring them over to Purple Heart Pickup today!
