Members of the VAVS EC held a two day meeting last week at VFW Headquarters in Washington DC. United Veterans Services National Representative Joe Dooley has the privilege of serving as Chairperson of the committee for 2023-24. Representatives from 18 of the 20 Veterans Service Organizations were in attendance for the meeting in which recommendations to enhance VA health care delivery were addressed.
In the second photo VAVS Center for Development and Civic Engagement Director Sabrina Clark shares a moment with UVS National Representative Joe Dooley during the meeting.
UVS Sponsors Veterans Free Farmers Market
The Veterans Free Farmers Market was held last week at the Manchester, NH VAMC. UVS served as the main sponsor of this event designed to assist Veterans with food insecurity concerns. Over 250 Veterans received bags of fresh produce at no cost to them. Special thanks to Parlee Farms in Tyngsborough, MA for filling up our SUV with over $1,000 with of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Golf for Veterans
Another day of golf for veterans. A huge thank you to Frank Schleifer for coordinating this UVS golf tournament since 1993.
Golf for Veterans at Moffett Field
United Veterans Services, the Northern California Golf Association and PGA Hope provided another day of golf for veterans at the Golf Club at Moffett Field.
Free CA Bridge Toll for Veterans
Beginning January 1, 2023, a new California law - Assembly Bill 2949 will grant eligible veterans of the U.S. armed forces free tolls on California toll bridges. Vehicles registered to a veteran displaying eligible license plates will be exempt from paying tolls to cross the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the seven state-owned bridges (Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, San Francisco-Oakland-Bay, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward). The free-passage benefit does not apply to Express Lanes.
Manchester NH VAMC Memorial Day Program
UVS volunteer Joe Dooley served as an usher for the Manchester NH VAMC Memorial Day Program. Over 1,000 people attended the ceremony which honored the memory of 175 Veterans affiliated with Manchester VA who passed away in the last twelve months.
UVS volunteers Joe Dooley and Linda Gaetano acknowledged US Senator Maggie Hassan for her efforts presenting each and every family member of a Veteran who passed last year with a rose, Memorial programme and her condolences as part of the ceremony (photo below).
2023 Veterans Golf Tournaments
United Veterans Services and the Northern California Golf Association kicked off the 2023 Veterans Golf Tournaments at the Golf Club at Moffett Field. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this a special day for veterans.
VAVS National Advisory Committee Meeting Leadership Panel
United Veterans Service VA Voluntary Service National Representative Joe Dooley facilitated an executive leadership panel at the 77th annual VAVS National Advisory Committee Meeting in Denver, CO on April 28, 2023. Pictured with Mr Dooley are Dr. Virginia Creasman, Director Ann Arbor VA Hospital, Dr Leigh Anderson, Chief Medical Officer, VISN 19, Mr Mike Gilman, Director, Denver VA Hospital and Mr Mike Murdock, Director Dayton VA Hospital. The panel discussed opportunities to enhance the overall Voluntary Service program throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs.
UVS Donates to the VAVS Parke Scholarship
UVS made a donation to the VAVS Parke scholarship at the Parke luncheon, held at the 77th VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee Meeting. Over $18,000 in student volunteer scholarships were raised at the luncheon. Pictured are UVS National VAVS Representative Joe Dooley and Parke Scholarship Board Member JP Brown accepting the UVS donation.
50/50 Split Raffle Benefits United Veterans Services
50/50 Split Raffle Benefits United Veterans Services
United Veterans Services conducts a 50/50 Split Raffle at the Hillsborough Antiques + Art + Design Show. The Show and the raffle benefit veterans at VA facilities across the United States. The winner of this show’s raffle is R.A. from Richmond, Virginia.
Pictured is Dennis Cortez, owner of Patricia’s Antiques, who drew the winning ticket.
Beware of PACT Act Scams
The recently signed PACT Act brings new opportunities for expanded health care and benefits to Veterans. It also presents opportunity for scammers to commit fraud against Veterans. Protect yourself with these tips.
The PACT Act helps Veterans and their survivors by:
Extending VA health care eligibility for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post-9/11 (Post-September 11, 2001) eras
Expanding benefits eligibility for Veterans exposed to toxic substances and their survivors
Tips to Avoid PACT Act Scams
Scammers are taking advantage of new opportunities to commit fraud. There’s been an increase in PACT Act-related phishing (email), vishing (phone), and social media scams targeting Veterans to access their PACT Act benefits or submit claims on their behalf.
Veterans should be cautious of anyone who guarantees a lucrative financial benefit or service. To report suspected fraudulent activity, please contact at vaoighotline@va.gov or call (800) 488-8244.
Protect yourself against scams with these tips:
Do not provide personal, benefits, medical, or financial details online or over the phone. Federal agencies will not contact you unless you make a request.
Do not click on online ads or engage with social media that seem suspicious.
Check for “https://” at the start of website addresses.
Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
Work with Veteran service providers you already know.
Submit any suspected fraud to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
For a flyer about how to avoid PACT Act scams that you can print and hang, click HERE.
Veterans Day
In Memoriam: Paul Noa
United Veterans Services lost a dear friend this week. Paul Noa supervised the logistics at the Hillsborough Antiques Show for about 40 years. We will miss him very much. He is pictured with George Frye, a member of the UVS Board of Directors.
Veterans Free Farmers Market
Photos from the Manchester VA Hospital Veterans Free Farmers Market held on Thursday September 15, 2022 at the VA Hospital. United Veterans Sevices donated $1,000 to the VA Hospital supporting the Veterans Free Farmers Market, VA patients Labor Day Lobster Roll luncheon and Veterans Transportation Network.
Manchester VA Voluntary Service Chief Stella Lareau and United Veterans Services volunteer Linda Gaetano Dooley sorting bushels of native corn for the Farmers Market.
Volunteers Madeline Dreusicke and Linda Gaetano help to package donations of fresh local produce for the farmers market
United Veterans Services VAVS National Representative Joe Dooley prepping some native corn for distribution at the farmers market
UVS Rep Receives Certificate for Volunteering 1000 Hours
Manchester, NH VAMC Director Kevin Forrest presented United Veterans Service VAVS Representative Joe Dooley with a Certificate acknowledging 1,000 hours of volunteer service to Veterans cared for at the Manchester VA hospital on August 20. Joe says “the day I volunteer at the VA is usually the best day of my week”.
Golf at Moffett Field
Another day of golf at the Moffett Field Golf Course for veterans from the Palo Alto VA Health Care System. This event is hosted by the Northern California Golf Association and United Veterans Services.
UVS Founder Inducted Into San Mateo Sports HOF
Helen Lengfeld, founder of United Veterans Services, was inducted into the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame on June 23, 2022.
The Return of UVS Swing Club
One of Northern California’s greatest golf programs is back after a two-year absence due to COVID-19.
On May 25, the United Veterans Services (formerly the United Volunteer Services) Swing Club held its first event since the pandemic outbreak.
The UVS Swing Club was orginally founded by NCGA Hall of Famer Helen Lengfeld after World War II as a golf rehabilitation program for returning veterans. Since then, the members and member clubs of the Pacific Women's Golf Association (PWGA)--with support from the NCGA--have continued to support the program through the Menlo Park VA with donations and volunteers.
As for how it all works, the UVS Swing Club brings veterans from the Palo Alto/Menlo Park VA to play golf as part of their rehabilitation therapy. Veterans play either a 9-hole round on the shortened course or participate in a putting contest. Each veteran is paired with a volunteer golfer who plays the round with them. After golf there is an opportunity to come together for lunch and to socialize.
Julia Gonzalez (pictured, middle above with Leslie Buchman and Jane Sullwood)
Julie Gonzalez (a retired USAR Master Sergeant herself) has been the program Liaison since 2014. As part of its return, the program honored Gonzalez as she retired from the post. During her years at the helm, Gonzalez has hosted approximately 36 events, over 1500 Veterans and almost as many volunteers. The program requires dedication, a great attitude, a steadfast work ethic and a good sense of humor, all of which Gonzalez has in spades.
She works with the VA and the Golf Course to coordinate each event, marks the course, creates the scorecards, communicates with volunteers, manages supplies, manages volunteers and most of all she is the friendly face meeting and greeting each golfer on the day and ensuring that the event is an enjoyable experience for all.
A presentation was made to Gonzalez at the May 25 event by Jane Sullwold, PWGA Sub Committee Chair, with comments from Frank Scheifler, the UVS representative for Palo Alto. The Veterans and the volunteers are all so grateful to Gonzalez for her outstanding commitment to both the program and the veterans who have benefited from their golf experience.
While we bid a fond farewell to Gonzalez, the program will continue. We are happy to announce that long time NCGA volunteer Tom Yuschak has stepped forward to help coordinate the program and has begun training to step into Julie's shoes.
VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee Meeting
VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee leadership convened in Denver, CO last week for their 76th Advisory Committee meeting. Mary Morgan, Elks, Chair, Joe Dooley, United Veterans Services, Vice Chair and Dr. Sabrina Clark, Director, VA Voluntary Service Center for Development & Cicic Engagement met with more than 40 service organizations for this three day conference. The National Advisory Committee sent 5 recommendations designed to enhance and improve the VAVS/CDCE program to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for his formal review and advisement.
UVS Donates to Parke Fund
United Veterans Services VA Voluntary Services National Representative Joe Dooley presents a check for $250 to JP Brown, James Parke Memorial Student Scholarship Board Member at the 76th annual VA Voluntary National Advisory Committee Meeting today. UVS had been a consistent supporter of the Parke Fund. Student volunteer Emma Gardner of Fayetteville, AK received a $20,000 scholarship recognizing her VA volunteer service.
