Community participating in Green Light A Vet from November 10-12
To celebrate Veterans Day and honor military veterans and their families, downtown Ithaca is once again participating in the national Greenlight A Vet campaign from November 10 through 12.
During that time, many businesses on and around the Commons will show their support for military veterans by changing at least one light at their business green. 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. The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) is donating 100 battery-operated flickering little tea lights so that businesses may offer their storefront a green glow.
“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 2021 U.S. Census data, 488 veterans live in the city of Ithaca, and several military veterans work in downtown Ithaca.
In addition to the special lighting, a couple of downtown shops are planning promotions to honor veterans.
American Crafts by Robbie Dein
Military Discount 10% Like All Year Long
Autumn Leaves Used Bookstore
Military Discount 10% off
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.
15 STEPS
Veterans receive a 10% discount on Veteran’s Day
History Center in Tompkins County
- Offering free prints of any photograph in its archives for any Veterans. Make an appointment with their archivist, Donna Eschenbrenner, to come in and explore the entirety of their photograph collection and request any print of our choice.
- They’ll have a little pop-up exhibit of some photographs covering a range of wars featured at the entrance to the museum.
Monks on the Commons
Veterans will enjoy 25% off their dinner entree all year, and 50% off a dinner entree on Veterans Day. A proper military ID is required to redeem the offer.
Your CBD Store
Veterans receive 20% off all year long
In addition to downtown’s efforts, Cornell University’s Undergraduate Veterans Association, which represents more than 250 veterans at Cornell, spearheads the annual Greenlight A Vet participation at the university and it reached out to the City of Ithaca three years ago to support the initiative.
Plus, the Tompkins County Department of Veterans Services will host Warrior Writers-Tompkins on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at 214 W. State St. During that time, veterans from various periods of military conflict come together as a community to reflect on their collective experiences and express them through writing. Attendance is in person and via virtual means. To attend, e-mail veterans@tompkins-co.org for more information.
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.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Darlene M. Wilber, Communications, Research, & 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. 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 a State of New York chartered 501c3 not-for-profit organization charged with the revitalization, development, promotion, and management of the Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District.
