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PROGRAMS &
SERVICES
BACKGROUND:
According to the Official Site of Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States,
“Direct community involvement always has been and will continue to be
a VFW priority.
The benevolence of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliaries extends
well beyond the realm of veterans helping veterans.
Annually, VFW and Auxiliaries donate more than 13 million volunteer hours
of community service. VFW members are mentoring youth groups, helping in
community food kitchens, volunteering in blood drives and visiting
hospitalized veterans. Others are helping veterans file compensation claims
or are "voicing their vote" with elected officials.
VFW's Community Service programs are designed to encourage community
service and increase civic pride, which ultimately enhances education,
improves the environment and ensures the availability of health services
for our nation’s veterans.
VFW's Citizenship Education program is designed to stimulate
interest in America's
history and traditions and to promote citizenship, civic responsibility and
patriotism.
VFW's Youth Scholarship programs provide more than $3.5 million in
scholarships to our nation's youth. They include Voice of
Democracy, Patriot's
Pen youth essay contest and Boy Scouts of America.
The VFW's partnership with the Boy Scouts of America includes the sponsoring of more
than 1,200 Scouting units with 40,000 members across the nation.
VFW's Safety Program encourages VFW Posts and Auxiliaries to conduct
programs in home, auto and bicycle safety, as well as programs dealing with
drug awareness and substance abuse.
The VFW National Home for
Children is a community development in a family like environment that
is home to orphaned or single parent children of VFW or Ladies Auxiliary
members. The home, which was established in 1925 on 160 acres in Eaton
Rapids, Mich.,
emphasizes the values of education, good work habits and sound moral
character.
Whether providing scholarships to the nation's youth or helping veterans
receive the entitlements they have earned, the VFW is there “honoring
those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice by helping the living.”
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