While millions of Americans prepare for a season of warmth, family gatherings, and holiday cheer, the National Veterans Foundation (NVF) prepares for its busiest and most critical season of the year. Today, the NVF announces an urgent fundraising appeal to support the Lifeline for Vets, ensuring that no veteran’s cry for help goes unanswered during the holidays.
For many veterans, the holiday season does not bring joy; it amplifies isolation, financial struggle, and the invisible wounds of war.
Shad Meshad, CEO and Founder of the NVF and a pioneer in veteran advocacy for over 40 years, emphasizes the gravity of the coming weeks.
“The holidays are the hardest battlefield for many of our brothers and sisters,” says Meshad. “When the parades end and the civilians go home to their families, the silence can be deafening for a vet with PTSD. This is when the memories flood back. This is when the bank account is empty. This is when the phone rings at the NVF, and on the other end is a hero who feels entirely forgotten. We need the resources to pick up that phone every single time.”
A High-Tech Mission to Save Lives
Recognizing that the modern battlefield for veteran mental health is fought on digital fronts, this year’s holiday campaign is being spearheaded by the NVF’s IT Director, Michael Alcorn.
Under Shad’s leadership, the campaign focuses on the critical infrastructure required to keep the Lifeline for Vets the nation’s only vet-to-vet toll-free helpline operational and accessible.
“A donation is the bridge between a veteran in a dark room and the counselor who can save their life,” says Michael Alcorn. “Whether it is maintaining our crisis hotlines, managing our text-based support, or ensuring our website can handle urgent requests for resources, our IT infrastructure is literally a lifeline. We are launching this campaign to ensure that technical limitations never stand in the way of saving a life.”
The Need is Urgent
The NVF is seeking immediate donations to cover:
Crisis Management: Staffing the Lifeline for Vets with fellow veterans who understand the unique language of military service.
Emergency Assistance: providing grants for veterans struggling to put food on the table or keep the heat on this winter.
Outreach Technology: Strengthening the digital platforms that allow veterans to find the NVF before it’s too late.
“We don’t leave our wounded behind on the battlefield,” Meshad adds. “We cannot leave them behind during the holidays. We are asking the American public to give a gift that truly matters: the gift of hope, connection, and survival.”
How to Help
The National Veterans Foundation urges the public to donate immediately. Every dollar contributes directly to the rescue and support of veterans and their families.
Donations can be made securely online at: nvf.org/donate
