November 11th – Remembrance Day is a day of profound significance for Canadians—a time to pause and remember the brave men and women who have served our country in times of war and conflict. Over the years, more than a hundred thousand Canadians have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, and they deserve our deepest respect and recognition.
As a Canadian business, there is a lot that you can and should do to support and honor our veterans. This year, show your customers that you care and integrate with the community by doing something special to commemorate the day.
In this article, we’ve put together several strategies you can implement to honor our veterans this Remembrance Day. Take a look below!
1. Organize a fundraiser for veterans
The best way you can thank our veterans for all their sacrifices is by making their lives easier now. These people have done a lot for the country, and you must use your reach and resources to give back. The money you raise can go towards covering medical costs, pay bills, or support the children of military members.
The most important thing you need to consider is picking the right fundraiser. Here are some fundraiser ideas you can go with:
- Offer an educational course or class – this could include a cooking class with a renowned chef or a painting class with a famous artist
- Organize a marathon – have your community run for a good cause
- Host a potluck fundraiser – this is a chance for community members to showcase their cooking skills by bringing in their favorite dish for everyone to enjoy
Hire vendors and play live music to take your fundraiser up a notch. You can also invite some retired veterans as chief guests and have them tell war stories.
2. Change your social media layout
Show the world that you care about Remembrance Day by updating your online presence to focus on this important occasion. Start this process at least two weeks before November 11th.
Here are some creative ways to change your social media layout:
- Update your logo: Add the traditional red remembrance poppy to your logo and update your profile picture on all your accounts.
- Use Remembrance Day colors: Remembrance Day colors typically include white, black, purple, and red so make sure that all your posts incorporate those colors in some way or another.
- Use a Hashtag: Add a hashtag for Remembrance Day to your social media bios so that it’s the first thing people see when they visit your profile.
- Share reminders: After every two or three posts, put up a poster to remind people about Remembrance Day – it can be a simple thank you to veterans or a historical fact about the importance of the day
You can make your Remembrance Day posters easily with PosterMyWall. Simply find a template you like, customize it according to your preference and you’re good to go!
3. Support a charity that focuses on veteran issues
Another impactful way to honor our veterans is to partner with a charity that addresses their specific needs. By collaborating with organizations that support veterans, you can help raise awareness and funds for important causes. This partnership can make a significant difference in the lives of veterans and their families.
Here’s what you can do:
- Research charities: Look for local or national charities that focus on veterans’ issues, such as mental health support, job placement, or medical assistance. Make sure the charity aligns with your values and mission.
- Organize joint events: Work together to create fundraising events or awareness campaigns. This could include charity runs, auctions, or community gatherings where a portion of the proceeds goes to the charity.
- Promote the partnership: Share the collaboration on your social media, website, and in-store. Highlight the charity’s mission and the positive impact your partnership will have on veterans.
4. Create a greeting card for customers who are veterans or related to veterans
Sending a greeting card to customers who are veterans or have family in the military is such a thoughtful way to show them you care. It’s a small gesture, but it can make a big difference. It shows you respect what they’ve been through and appreciate their sacrifices. Plus, it’s a great way to connect personally and let them know they’re not forgotten.
It’s easy to do too! Here’s how you can create one:
- Use a thoughtful template: Use designs that reflect the significance of Remembrance Day. Incorporate elements like the red poppy, meaningful quotes, or images that honor veterans. You can also use greeting card templates by PosterMyWall to create beautiful cards easily.
- Personalize the message: Personal touches can make a big difference. Write heartfelt messages expressing gratitude for their service. Acknowledge their sacrifices and let them know that their contributions are valued.
- Distribute the cards: You can mail the cards or distribute them at your business location. You can also hand them out at events that honor veterans.
5. Share educational resources with your audience
It’s not enough to just post about Remembrance Day. You need to show people why it’s important. As an influential business, it’s your duty to educate people and let them know why this day is so significant.
On the days leading up to Remembrance Day, share one resource every day that people can read or listen to. A good idea would be to share historical fiction that puts Canadian war efforts at its center. Here are some novels that you can recommend:
- A Poppy Is To Remember – Heather Patterson
- The Unknown Soldier – Linda Granfield
- In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae – Linda Granfield
- A Bear In War – Stephanie Innes
Start a dialogue on your page by encouraging people to share their thoughts on each book.
You should also use your platform to give a voice to war vets who have stories of their own. Start a campaign for local war heroes. Interview a local war vet and do a profile piece on them. This way you’ll be able to give these heroes the recognition they deserve.
6. Offer a seasonal product
Offer a seasonal product or service that celebrates Remembrance Day. It is a great way to engage your customers and show support for veterans. Seasonal offerings can draw attention to your business while promoting the importance of honoring those who have served.
You can:
- Create limited-edition products: Design and sell special items, such as clothing or accessories featuring the remembrance poppy or colors associated with Remembrance Day. You can donate a portion of the sales to veterans’ charities.
- Offer themed services: If you run a restaurant or café, add a special dish or drink inspired by Remembrance Day. This could be a dish that uses red and white ingredients to represent the poppy or a special drink where a portion of sales goes to veteran support.
- Promote discounts for veterans: Show appreciation by offering discounts to veterans or active military personnel during the week leading up to Remembrance Day.
7. Offer special discounts to war veterans
Depending on the kind of business you run, offer special discounts to military personnel and veterans. If you’re in the retail business, offer a flat 20 or 30 percent off to them on Remembrance Day.
If you run a cafe, perhaps a free cappuccino on Remembrance Day or a special deal on a steak meal would be a good idea. For instance, Larry and Emily, co-owners of Lil Bites Food Truck in Atlanta, routinely offer special discounts on all their food to first responders and military members.
Start advertising your special discount a couple of weeks in advance so that war veterans can take full advantage of them. Use PosterMyWall social media templates to promote your discounts.
Final thoughts
Remembrance Day is all about honoring the people who have served the country and sacrificed their lives for so many of us. So this year, keep that in mind and do something special and unique to let your community know that you’re a business that cares.
Engage with the community directly through a fundraiser or through special discounts. Likewise, raise awareness online through dedicated posts and efforts to tell important war stories.
New to PosterMyWall? Use our range of templates and design tools to create impactful promotional content for Remembrance Day this year.
