SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Military Appreciation Month, celebrated in May, is the perfect time to show service members they are valued and appreciated for the sacrifices they make every day.

According to advocates, individual actions, no matter how big or small, strengthen service members in the challenges they face each day, showing them they matter to the people they protect.

Military Appreciation Month was designated by Congress in 1999. Although the entire month of May is dedicated to honoring past and present military members and their families, there are several holidays throughout the month that honor specific service members and other members of the military community, including Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 9, Mother’s Day on May 11, Armed Forces Day on May 17 and Memorial Day on May 26.

Every May, Military Appreciation Month reminds us of the men and women who serve in our military. While there often are public events, real appreciation is deeper—it’s about understanding, connection and action. Less than 1% of Americans serve in the military, and they take on unique challenges from which all Americans benefit.

Since 1941, the USO has been the leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families. The USO goes where service members go throughout their time in uniform and beyond, providing support through a wide range of programs, including care packages, entertainment, military spouse and youth programming and a canine program.

Given their decades of expertise on the subject, the USO is offering Americans ideas for how to best celebrate the people who serve during Military Appreciation Month:

Send a Message of Support: The USO is collecting 2 million messages of support this year to honor the more than 2 million people serving in the U.S. military and their families. Send a message now at USO.org/2MillionMessages.

Show Your Support With a USO T-Shirt: The USO’s annual t-shirt campaign, launching in late April, is a way to show support for service members and the USO’s programs. To order a t-shirt, visit USO.org.

Become a USO volunteer: More than 20,000 USO volunteers contributed 1.2 million hours last year. Whether you’re welcoming service members and their families at the airport, assembling care packages, or offering a helping hand at a USO location or event, your time and involvement can make a lasting impact on service members and their families. To learn more and sign up to volunteer, visit uso.org/volunteer.

This Military Appreciation Month, consider discovering the many hands-on ways you can show your support and gratitude for U.S. service members all year long.