Hospital: Everyone Benefits When Programs Work Together!

Grace Matz

2015-2016 Hospital
National Ambassador

Happy New Year! Many of you have probably made a resolution for 2016. One resolution to consider would be to give more time volunteering for our veterans.

I’ve been impressed as I read promotions from across the country. You've been very creative in getting the message out to members about the Hospital Program's National Goals:

• Volunteer Service in Medical Facilities
• Volunteer Recruitment & Recognition
• Veterans Voices Writing Project
• Veteran and Military Suicide Awareness

I recently learned that an Auxiliary worked jointly with their VFW Post and involved local facilities, businesses and the entire community to bring awareness for Suicide Prevention. They also included information on our other programs during the event. Congratulations on a job well done!

As I mentioned during one of my presentations, you can work with other Program Chairmen when planning an activity for the Hospital Program and everyone benefits. Some ideas include:

• Work with your Youth Chairman and recruit a youth group to help with an event, make cards or volunteer at a medical facility.
• Partner with your Scholarships Chairman and invite your Post's Patriot's Pen and/or Voice of Democracy winners to share their essays with hospitalized veterans. You could also invite the winner of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest to share their artwork at the same time. 
• Your Americanism Chairman would likely be happy to help give out American flags or help plan a ceremony and/or party to celebrate a patriotic holiday at a medical facility.
• Team up with your Legislative Chairman and share the VFW Action Corps Weekly e-newsletter with those confined to VA Hospitals and other medical facilities.  
• Numerous activities cross over into Veterans & Family Support. VA Hospitals may sponsor a “Stand Down,” “Welcome Home,” or picnic. Hospital volunteers are always needed to help with those activities.

Just remember that when working with another Program Chairman, the hours and monies should be shared between the programs when reporting.

Keep up the good work – our veterans need us now more than ever!