While some activities to help raise funds and collect donations for military veterans have been canceled due to the virus, donations can still be made.

The Butler Veterans Administration welcomes donations of all kinds, especially toiletries like shampoo, lotion, body wash, tooth paste, conditioner, and shaving products. Gift cards as well can be donated. Donations of non-perishable food items. are also accepted.

Many of these items can also be used by their Homeless Veterans team.

However, items like blankets, books, and puzzle books are not being accepted because they cannot be sanitized and do not come prewrapped in plastic.

Individuals planning to donate can contact the Voluntary Services department at the VA Butler Healthcare before making a donation to verify what items are acceptable and needed. That number is 878-271-6960 or 878-271-6957.

There are also many other ways to help active military personnel and veterans all year.

- Groups like the United Service Organization, website www.uso.org, and Support Our Troops, website www.supportourtroops.org, have multiple programs for sending gifts and packages to troops and their families throughout the year. Both organizations also accept monetary donations.- The Yellow Ribbon Girls of Ellwood City make mailing lists of soldiers in need of cards, letters and packages. The group sends packages overseas for orphanages and schools. The items they require the most are batteries, beef jerky, toilet paper, protein bars and powdered drink mix. Visit www.yellowribbongirls.com or its Facebook page.- A nonprofit organization known as the Veterans in Need Fund provides veterans with emergency financial assistance. To make donations to the fund, contact the group's chairman, John Cyprian, who is also the director of county Veterans Services, at 724-284-5352.- The VA Butler Healthcare has the Adopt-a-Veteran program. Those interested should contact Chris Tomayko, a VA employee, at 724-477-5018, or Paula McCarl at 878-271-6492.Volunteers, especially drivers, are needed to support various functions for the served counties, including Butler, Armstrong, Mercer, Lawrence and Clarion. Individuals should contact Andy Pepe, voluntary services coordinator, at 878-271-6960 to discuss donation needs and volunteer support.

- Giving blood helps veterans as well as military personnel and their families. “When you donate blood, you give the gift they don't return,” said Kristine Lane, Vitalant spokeswoman. Vitalant has an office at 127 Oneida Valley Road and can be reached at 877-258-4826. Donors can also find a blood drive or donation center by contacting the American Red Cross at www.redcrossblood.org.

- Deployed troops miss the holidays. The families of active service members feel this too. Ways to show support to these families include handwritten cards, holiday gifts, cookies and community events. Find out more through organizations like Military One Source or the American Red Cross, Butler County Chapter, at 724-283-2810.

- While active troops need support, veterans also need support. Show your appreciation for those who have served by volunteering at the VA Butler Healthcare or a nursing home.