Celebrated every year in May, National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM) offers the opportunity to express our appreciation to both current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including all of those who have given their lives to safeguard our freedom. While Memorial Day may be one of the highlights of the month, a unique opportunity comes a bit early: Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Celebrated every year on the Friday before Mother’s Day, NMAM honors the unsung heroes who keep things running smoothly on the home-front. Here are three ways military housing property managers can acknowledge the ongoing sacrifices of military spouses this May 8th.

1. Get Decorating
Whether you tie yellow ribbons around trees throughout your community, fly the American flag in a visible place, or bedeck mailboxes with red, white and blue balloons, decorating can give your neighborhood a festive feel while honoring not only the men and women who serve….but also the men and women who love them.

2. Host a Patriotic Party
The work of a military spouse can be never-ending. Give them a day off from kitchen duty by inviting residents to a neighborhood block party or cookout with spouses of servicemen and servicewomen as your honored guests. Serve all-American foods and play patriotic music to ensure a festive fete. This also brings people together and promotes a sense of community. Get the kids involved too by organizing a bike decorating party and parade.

3. Make a Donation
Military families make sacrifices every single day. And while money can’t remove all of these obstacles, it can make the path a little easier. Many organizations exist to help military families, including the National Military Family Association (NMFA), which helps military families in a number of different ways — from educational scholarship to better access to medical care for sick military kids to healing adventures for wounded, ill, and medically retired soldiers and their families. A donation to the NMFA or other charitable organization is a meaningful expression of gratitude.

General Raymond T. Odierno, General and 38th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army said, ““The strength of our soldiers is our families.” Our military would not be as mighty without the behind-the-scenes people who keep our soldiers strong while they answer the call of duty. These three ideas can help you show your support while building a stronger community for servicemen and servicewomen, their spouses, and their families.