Veterans & Family Support 2017-2018 National Ambassador Karen Dotson
Key Components National Veterans Service (NVS) VFW Military and Veterans Support Unmet Needs VFW s Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship Program Military Assistance Program (MAP) VFW National Home for Children Buddy Poppy Program
VFW National Home for Children Serves as a living memorial to American s veterans by helping our nation s veterans and military families Who do we help? Military Families Veteran Families Families of VFW and VFW Auxiliary Descendants
VFW National Home for Children Military & Veteran Family Helpline 1-800-313-4200 or email help@vfwnationalhome.org Free service, provides connections, gives hope to struggling military and veterans families Monday Friday, 8:00 AM 4:30 PM Eastern Time
VFW National Home for Children Donation Opportunities Health & Happiness Fund Safety & Security Fund* Life Membership Tribute Brick / Tribute Park / Other Tribute Giving Home Front Hero - Monthly Giving Planning your Legacy Gifts in Kind / Amazon Smiles Every child deserves a happy family
Buddy Poppy Program Since 1922, the official VFW memorial flower Every day can be a Buddy Poppy Day Maintain a Buddy Poppy Kit Wear a Buddy Poppy to educate, promote, publicize
Buddy Poppy Program Buddy Poppy Campaigns should be planned well in advance Promote and publicize your drive All money contributed by the public for Buddy Poppies is for welfare of veterans and their families (Relief Fund) Buddy Poppies are distributed and are not for sale
Military Family Month
Military Family Month November 2017 was Military Family Month. Annual proclamation for a month-long celebration of the Military Family being recognized for their commitment and contribution in their support of our military and our nation. Very Successful Excellent Participation
Military Family Month Goal: Incorporate all Auxiliary programs in support of the military family to recognize their commitment to our military. Types of Events held: Open Houses Spaghetti / Ham / Turkey Dinners Pizza and Movie Nights Family Hot Dog and Game Night
Military Family Month THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Thank you for your generous support by recognizing our Military Families
Unmet Needs Changes As of January 9, 2018, Unmet Needs disaster assistance grants have been suspended until further notice. Unmet Needs will award qualified applicants with financial grants of up to $1,500. Applicants who have been discharged prior to Sept. 11, 2001, must include VA compensation in calculating and reporting their fixed income.
Spirit 365 Every day is Veterans Day Send greeting cards to Homebound Veterans and Auxiliary Members; Children at VFW National Home Collect non-perishable food items, personal care items, clothing, blankets, quilts for Stand Downs, Food Pantries, Homeless Shelters, Women s Shelters Adopt a Unit Care Packages to our Deployed Troops Transportation to appointments, doctors, bank, grocery store etc. Plan a shower/sprinkle for a new arrival Share a meal/movie with a veterans family
Food for Thought What have you done for a veteran or his/her family lately?
Thank You Thank you for what you and each of your Departments do for our veterans and their families as we Catch the Dream for Our Veterans!
Conference Chairmen We are here to help YOU! Big Ten Eastern Southern Western Sheila Allen Juliette Mason Natalie Copeland Stephanie Martin