The UVS Director Dolores Weirich from the Community Service Thrift Shop in Santa Ynez, CA sends us
news
and a picture of the volunteers Mary Capovilla and Bernice Small who have been making monthly trips to the
new Santa Maria Veterans Out Patient Clinic.
This month they asked for toys in support of the Toys For Tots program, they were also given a large amount of food, in support of the veterans.
Wishing us all a Merry Christmas,
CONGRATULATIONS!
Richard Walters, Director and Representative of UVS to the Bath, NY VA Medical Center
Subject: Award
The American Red Cross has been involved with service to the Armed Forces for over 125 years. Emergency messaging is arranged for someone in the military from the family, notifying of a birth of a child, a serious illness or death. Another service is working with wounded soldiers in military hospitals and veterans in VA Hospitals and Medical Centers. Red Cross volunteers are even in Iraq and Afghanistan assisting the troops. There are countless numbers of volunteers working at military facilities around the country and world. New York State American Red Cross wanted to recognize a volunteer for the service to our nation's veterans. The Greater Steuben Chapter has the honor of one such volunteer. This volunteer has worked at the Bath VA Medical Center since 1993. He has been on various committees planning for the needs of the veterans, the volunteers, and the VA. This volunteer is a Navy veteran of the Korean War. His dedication to the veterans goes beyond what most volunteers do. He has the compassion for all of the veterans either residing at the Bath VA or living out in the community, including hospice care for one of the veterans who was dying and didn't have any known family. This volunteer spent many hours with this gentleman until he quietly passed away so he would not die alone.
This compassion for the welfare of the veterans was carried over as a Red Cross volunteer. He helped develop programs stemming from the SAF Grant Approved in 2008. The Visiting Vets program was a result of this grant that has made a difference in the lives of his "extended family" of veterans. I am honored to present the 2009 New York State Service to Armed Forces Award to Dick Walters a Representative of and Director for the United Voluntary Services.
NEWS FROM THE HILLBOROUGH ANTIQUE SHOW HELD IN
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA
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News From Oregon.
UVS volunteers worked to provide VA SORCC inpatients with an Independence Day celebration. Photos and story taken from the VA SORCC Source Newsletter appear below.
Forty-five Veterans Service Organization volunteers, Recreation Therapy and Community Resources staff worked together to provide VA SORCC inpatients with an Independence Day celebration. Volunteers from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and their Auxiliaries (some coming from as far away as Albany) operated seven booths with games and give-away prizes, that were decorated in patriotic themes. No one went away empty-handed or without a smile. The Salvation Army Mobile Kitchen provided delicious homemade fried bread. United Voluntary Services (which oversees our VA SORCC Veterans Golf Course) sponsored a Golf Course/Driving Range competition and putting games. A BBQ with all the fixings was served. For a touch of Americana, volunteers served over 30 pies which was perfect treat along with ice cream and juicy watermelon. Entertainment was provided by the local well-known band, T.J. & the Spurs, who delighted the audience with a wide variety of music. The 350 plus attending inpatients truly appreciated celebrating their Fourth with their VA SORCC family.
The UVS Representative, Jeff Weigant tries to stay "cool" with a hat,shades and towel during the 103 degree weather.
News From Virginia.
On June13, 2009 from 10AM to 3PM,the OIF/OEF Welcome Home Event was held at the Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, Virginia. United Voluntary Services (UVS) was listed first on the Beverages and Food Provider list. We made two contributions which were used for chips and beverages. The event had beverages and chips until the Hooter Girls arrived. The food that they provided was delicious, the Hooter Girls were not dressed as they appear at Hooters. The OIF/OEF Welcome Home Event is required by every VAMC yearly. The last OIF/OEF Welcome Home Event was held at the Medical Center and attendance was better this year.
On March 30, 2008, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC had the first annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event in response to the US House of Representatives, House Resolution 189, which proclaimed Sunday, March 30, 2008, the 35th anniversary of the evacuation of Vietnam, as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
We had an informal, information fair sort of event, a meet and greet opportunity, featuring different resources
available at the VAMC and in the community for our Vietnam vets and their families. Many of our veteran service
organizations participated, advertising services they provide and doing some membership recruitment. We had some
entertainment, refreshments and door prizes. We have members of our PTSD team, Vet Center, homeless and
transitional programs, health benefits, and Veterans Benefit Administration. We had "Welcome" pins the first
year and "Yellow Ribbon" pins the second year. We had a large banner, both years, which read,
United Voluntary Services was the leader in getting this event off the ground and helping to get the second annual event held on March 28, 2009. We did not have anyone airlifted into or out of the event. We tried to facilitate Vietnam veterans' conversations about when and where they served, what their assigned jobs were and where they when on R&R. We will hold our third annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event on March 27, 2010
Submitted by George Beadles Jr.,UVS Director and Representative at Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC