Hospital: Share the Love this February

National Salute to Veteran Patients

The purpose of the National Salute to Veteran Patients Program is to:

• pay tribute and express appreciation to veterans;
• increase community awareness of the role of the VA medical center;
• encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and to become involved as volunteers.

The week of February 14 is our opportunity to say thank you to a special group of men and women, the more than 9 million Veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, outpatient clinics, domiciliaries, and nursing homes.

During the National Salute, VA invites individuals, Veterans groups, military personnel, civic organizations, businesses, schools, local media, celebrities and sports stars to participate in a variety of activities at the VA medical centers.  The activities and events include special ward visits and valentine distributions; photo opportunities; school essay contests; special recreation activities and Veteran recognition programs.

The week also provides an opportunity for the community to become acquainted with the volunteer opportunities within the medical center.

Contact your nearest VA Medical Center and ask for Voluntary Service to discover the wonderful things you, your group or organization can do to salute America’s Heroes.

Learn more: http://www.volunteer.va.gov/NationalSaluteVeteranPatients.asp.

Outstanding Hospital Volunteer National Award

Your entries for the Outstanding Hospital Volunteer in your Department are due to me. Department Chairmen should select one winner from applicants submitted and have it to me by March 15, 2020. The nomination form can be found at www.vfwauxiliary.org/resources. If you are having difficulty in obtaining a form, contact me and I will be happy to forward it.

Certificates of Appreciation

A simple but effective way to thank your volunteers is to present them a Certificate of Appreciation. A piece of paper and a “thank you” goes a long way. Access the certificates at the links below:

• Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Certificate Option 1 (Fillable)
• Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Certificate Option 2 (Fillable)

S.W.A.P.:
I’ve received several ideas from Department Hospital Chairmen I’d like to share.

Privacy Covers for Urine Bags
Shared by Margaret “Peggy” Schweitzer, Department of New York:

There is an ongoing need for these bags in the Spinal Cord Injury Units that work with paraplegics, patients in our VA facilities and nursing homes. They go home with the patients to help them through rehabilitation. Our Auxiliary members work as a team and make it fun.

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of material 16” by 29”. Finished Bag should be 14” by 14.”
2. Press, fold and hem top and bottom edges to avoid fraying. Allowing about 1” per hem for a 14” length.  If using a material that doesn’t fray, such as fleece, no bottom hem needed.
3. Fold in the center and line up at least a 4” strip of Velcro on center of bottom on the inside of both sides of the material.
4. Put right sides together and sew a 1” side seam but leave an inch at the top to feed a piece of elastic or drawstring through. We used a piece of elastic 8” long and fed through with a safety pin and then stitched elastic closed. After elastic is fed through you can stitch the rest of the seam and catch the elastic (or drawstring) so it doesn’t come undone.
5. The bottom need not be stitched closed because the Velcro placed in the center will close the bag at bottom.
6. The Hospital found that the Velcro that you sew on works the best because the Velcro with glue after being washed does not hold up as well.
7. Also, if you wish to do a drawstring instead of the elastic, I recommend that you make the seam so it’s in the back and drawstring (cut to fit bag allowing room to tie and bow) in front. You will have to adjust pattern and Velcro placement accordingly. Make a stitch in back over drawstring so it won’t pull through if you do this. Tip: Fleece doesn’t fray so scrap pieces can be used as a drawstring.

Thank you Peggy!

Female Veteran Necessary Bags
Shared by Sherry Jiles, Department of Alabama

I heard this idea at one of my adventures. Go to garage sales, thrift stores, etc., and purchase purses – any size works! – and fill them with female hygiene products and toiletries. The list below includes items often requested by female veterans.

• Bras and sports bras
• Underwear
• Socks
• Shoes
• T-shirts and tank tops
• Tampons or pads
• Face wash
• Pony tail holders and hair bands
• Washcloth or bath poof
• Baby powder
• Foot powder
• Lotion
• Fingernail clippers
• Sunglasses

Thank You Sherry!

Keep In Touch!

Your promotions, flyers, materials and pictures are flooding my mailbox and inbox!  I LOVE IT!  Keep them coming and if you have not sent anything yet, it is not too late.

You are all doing a GREAT service to our veterans in our VA Medical Centers, veterans homes, and all facilities who serve our veterans.

Keep up the good work “Serving Our Veterans with Aloha!”