NOVEMBER 8, 2021 — To celebrate Veterans Day and honor military veterans and their families, Downtown Ithaca is for the third consecutive year participating in the national Greenlight A Vet campaign from November 10 through 12.
During that time, many downtown Ithaca shops and other businesses will show their support for military veterans by changing at least one light at their business green. The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) is donating 100 battery-operated flickering little tea lights so the businesses may give their storefront a green glow. The campaign uses green lights because it is the color of hope, renewal, and well-being and a symbolic sign of gratitude. The term “green light” is also a commonly used military term to motivate forward movement. The intent of using green lights is to start a conversation about veterans and “greenlight” them as valued community members.
“Greenlight A Vet is a natural fit for Downtown Ithaca. Our community is filled with shops, restaurants, and office workers who regularly illustrate their support of military families,” says Gary Ferguson, executive director for the DIA.
According to 2018 U.S. Census data, roughly 560 veterans live in the city of Ithaca. Several military veterans work in Downtown Ithaca. We recognize one, Zach Wasmer, co-owner of The Bloomwell, for his military service. Wasmer is a U.S. Marine veteran. In addition to downtown’s efforts, Cornell University’s Undergraduate Veterans Association, which represents more than 250 veterans at Cornell, spearheads annual Greenlight A Vet participation at the university and it reached out to the City of Ithaca two years ago to support the initiative.
“We truly appreciate our military veterans and continue to support Greenlight A Vet. It is a small, but wonderful way for us to show veterans that we support them and thank them for their service,” says City of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick.
In addition to the special lighting, a couple of shops are planning promotions to honor veterans. At Cat’s Pajamas, for every $25 purchase made at the shop on November 11 and 12, Cat’s will donate $5 to the Ithaca VFW in honor of fallen soldiers and help to keep the monuments in DeWitt Park in top condition. At 15 STEPS, veterans receive a 10% discount.
For more information about Greenlight A Vet and other Downtown Ithaca advocacy efforts, visit downtownithaca.com. The City of Ithaca and Tompkins County are also participating in Greenlight A Vet. For more information, visit www2.tompkinscountyny.gov/veteran/VetsDayEvents.
MEDIA CONTACT
Darlene M. Wilber, Communications & Grant Development Director
Downtown Ithaca Alliance
darlene@downtownithaca.com
607-277-8679
ABOUT GREENLIGHT A VET: Greenlight a Vet was launched as an advocacy program in 2015 by Walmart under its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment program that aimed to hire 250,000 veterans by 2020. The national retailer created Greenlight a Vet with the intent of drawing attention to the professional and personal struggles many veterans face after their military service ends. Greenlight a Vet campaign is designed to inspire the public to further support the troops and their families while also encouraging vets to seek the support they may need. Since 2016, the campaign has seen more than 9 million online acts of support as participants post pictures of their green lights using the hashtag #greenlightavet
ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN ITHACA ALLIANCE: The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1997 and charged with the management, promotion, development, and revitalization of the Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District. For more information, visit downtownithaca.com.
