Hospital: Hard Work is Recognized

Hello everyone-it’s that time of year already, where we all start looking forward to our National Convention and the changing of leadership on all levels. The time of year where the hard work of this year is recognized on the Convention floor. Personally, I want to thank each Hospital Chairman, volunteer and member who has given of their time to our hospitalized veterans and their families. The gift you give of your time gives so much to those who receive your kindness, removes just a few minutes of stress from their daily lives and hopefully is replaced with many more minutes of happiness.

Over this year I’ve really enjoyed reading all your submissions, seeing the photos from events, your newsletters and getting samples of valentines and notes of encouragement. I’m so happy to be a witness to all the ways celebrating uncommon holidays was executed this year. My hope is that this is carried out for years to come.

I have received award submissions, and I will have to narrow them down and pick a winner. I understand the need to pick the best of the best, but I believe you all are winners. We’ve Banded Together for our Veterans this year; most volunteers are back in their hospitals and homes on a regular basis. Figuring out what volunteerism looks like post-pandemic: does it go back to how it used to be, or does it take on a whole new look?

Going forward, volunteerism will always be a need and getting our youth to volunteer will need to evolve. Our younger generation is so tech savvy, their form of volunteerism may come in a digital form such as online tutoring or in teaching our veterans to use technology.

Volunteerism is a tangible way to respond to a need, it requires intentionality and a commitment to a cause-need. The Hospital Program has been a huge part of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary since its beginning over 100 years ago. I believe the need for volunteers will only increase in the future and the Auxiliary will be there to get the job done.