Karen Dotson
2017-2018 National Veterans & Family Support Ambassador
The Journey Continues to Reach the Dream
As our journey continues, our second stop for the New Year is the VFW’s Veterans and Military Support Program. These VFW programs are the driving force behind our organization’s active-duty military and family support efforts. It is within this program you will find information regarding:
- Unmet Needs – Financial Assistance Program
- Military Assistance Program (MAP)
- Operation Uplink™
- Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship
Unmet Needs – The Unmet Needs Program is here to help America’s military families who have encountered unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. This program provides financial aid grants of up to $1,500 to assist with basic life needs in the form of a grant – not a loan – so no repayment is required. Eligibility requirements, an application form and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at the following link: https://www.vfw.org/unmetneeds/
Military Assistance Program (MAP) – The Military Assistance Program (MAP) is the outstretched hand between the local VFW and military community. A large part of MAP is the Adopt-a-Unit program, providing VFW Posts and their Auxiliaries the opportunity to adopt hundreds of military units around the world. The goal of Adopt-a-Unit is to develop supportive relationships with units prior to, during and after deployments. MAP resources such as answers to frequently asked questions, an application fillable form, and MAP grant guidelines can be found on the following link: https://www.vfw.org/TroopSupport/
Operation Uplink – The VFW Operation Uplink™ Program – a program for deployed service members that provides free phone time to active-duty military personnel and hospitalized veterans. This program is the only one of its kind, providing at least three designated days each month when deployed service members can make FREE phone calls home to the U.S. from their Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) Center or military DSN line. If you have questions or would like to request phone time for your loved one, contact Operation Uplink via email at uplink@vfw.org.
Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship – The Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship is administered by the VFW and provides service members and veterans with the financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt. Eligibility requirements and an application form can be found on the following link: https://www.vfw.org/Scholarship/
Donations area always appreciated for the Veterans and Military Support Programs by mailing funds to the VFW earmarked for Veterans and Military Support. Donations made be made online at https://www.vfw.org/ways-to-help or mail a check earmarked Veterans & Military Support to:
VFW National Headquarters
Attn: Veterans and Military Support
406 W. 34th Street, 9th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64111
As we Catch the Dream for Our Veterans, I thank you for all the extraordinary simple acts of kindness you perform each day to support our veterans, our service members, and their families. Leo Tolstoy was quoted to say, “Nothing can make our lives, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness.”
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and all our veterans!
