United Veterans Services held their Annual Board of Directors Meeting on April 23rd. The twice-a-year UVS fundraiser, the Hillsborough Antiques + Art + Design Show was held the same weekend. At the end of the show, we held our 50/50 split raffle. The winner was Jonathan Roberts from Chicago, Illinois.
UVS Volunteer Receives Call from Secretary of Veterans Affairs
UVS Volunteer, Joe Dooley on the phone with Denis McDonough, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
On Tuesday April 19, United Veterans Services volunteer, Joe Dooley, received a telephone call from Denis McDonough, current Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The purpose of the call, made during national volunteer week, was to thank him for volunteering at the Manchester, NH VA hospital. Joe was truly humbled and deeply appreciative that Secretary McDonough would take the time out of his busy day to acknowledge one of his VA volunteers.
Motorcycle Club Donates to UVS
Every year the Bay Area Chapter of the Violators Motorcycle Club makes a donation to United Veterans Services. Their wish is to help veterans. 100% of their donation is used to assist veterans in VA Medical Centers. We are so grateful for their generosity.
L to R: William Crouse, Violators MC Treasurer; Leslie Buchman, UVS President and Robert Tabaldo, Violators MC Secretary.
UVS at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games
United Veterans National VAVS Representative Joe Dooley is flanked by VA New York Harbor VAVS Chief Yvette Cintron and VA Central Office Specialist Ginny Hoover as they work to register volunteers for the 40th VA National Wheelchair Games in New York City. UVS has provided volunteers and stipends for participating Veterans at the wheelchair games now and in the past.
UVS volunteers Linda Gaetano and Joe Dooley served as volunteers at the VA National Wheelchair Games. They supported the “Boccia” event, which is a specially adapted version of Bocce that enables Veterans in wheelchairs to participate.
UVS Helps Livermore Vaccine Clinic
United Veterans Services helped to support a mass COVID-19 vaccine clinic for veterans in Livermore, California. Many thanks to the wonderful staff of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System who volunteered to work overtime to help veterans.
UVS Responds to Call for Food Kits for Veterans in Need
As COVID-19 has affected all residents across the Bay Area and Northern California, the virus has ushered in special challenges for hundreds of disabled Veterans, specifically those who are at risk of not receiving the daily nutrition and other necessities they need to remain healthy. Delivering nutrition and essentials to these Veterans is a growing priority for the San Francisco VA Health Care System. Sometimes Veterans do not have loved ones or caregivers nearby. Others live in remote areas or in special circumstances. Some of these Veterans have disabilities which require that they receive their VA care almost entirely at home. Many, but not all, are senior citizens. Others have immune system deficiencies, for whom shopping poses unacceptable exposure risk to COVID-19. Still other Veterans become quarantined or self-quarantined by public health order and cannot legally shop for themselves. For example, homeless Veterans quarantined by the State in hotels are high-priority candidates for nutritional assistance.
The San Francisco VA Health Care System started a program to deliver low-cost kits comprised of two-weeks of essential, non-perishable food to Veterans who nutrition is threatened by their disabilities, their distance from loved ones or VA Care providers, or by the circumstances of local or regional COVID-19 precautions.
United Veterans Services responded to their call for donations to support this program.
The pictures show the San Francisco VA Staff with the food kits which they are giving to drivers who then deliver the items to veterans in need.
UVS Donates to Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
The veterans at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center are often in need of clothing, toiletry items, coats and food to survive. The Medical Center provides those needs through donations to their Food Pantry and Clothing Rooms.
United Veterans Services Representative, Jo-Ann O’Clair, requested and received a $500 donation from UVS to the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center to help supply their food pantry, clothing, toiletry and coat rooms.
If you are interested in helping, click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation today to help us continue supporting our Veterans.
UVS Volunteer Erma Harris Receives 10,000 Hour Award
United Veterans Service volunteer, Erma Harris, achieved a very special honor from the Richmond, Virginia VA Medical Center: a silver bowl for 10,000 hours of dedicated volunteer service. The Chief, Voluntary Service, Kristy Coie-Day, presented it to Erma at her home. Said Kristy of Erma “Without her positive impact and dedication to voluntary and the patients here at McGuire we would not be able to provide the exceptional service we do. She is truly a gem and we are lucky to have her!”
United Veterans Services Honors Our Veterans
UVS Donates Robotic Cats
A couple years ago, it was brought to the attention of UVS volunteer Marty Naugher, that the Tuscaloosa VA geriatric unit needed something for the Veteran patients to occupy and entertain them. The head of the department had discovered robotic cats (Joy for All Companion Cats), so Marty and UVS decided to try them out. They were a huge hit! UVS has now donated robotic cats several times. Please enjoy this little video about it.
Help UVS continue projects like this and others by making a tax-deductible donation today. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we have had to cancel all of our in-person fundraising events this year. More than ever, we are relying on the donations from individuals like you to help us continue our important work for Veterans. Donate today at www.unitedveteransservices.org/donate
Veteran's Day Donation
Thank You Violators Motorcycle Club!
The Bay Area Chapter of the Violators Motorcycle Club once again made a generous donation to United Veterans Services. This donation will be used to support veteran activities and programs at VA Medical Centers and Clinics.
This amazing organization continues to support veterans. As in past years, they will be leading the San Francisco Veterans Day Parade.
Pictured left to right: Dennis Gilchrist, President, VMC; Leslie Buchman, President, UVS and Bobby Tabaldo, Vice President, VMC.
Photos from VA Meeting
Newly appointed Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Byrnes, VAVS Director Sabrina Clark and NAC Chair John Kleindienst briefing the NAC Executive Committee on current VA priorities
UVS board member Joe Dooley and Sabrina Clark (both standing) with VFW reps Jim Moss and Sandra Kreidel
UVS Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Barrel Oak Winery
United Veterans Services ( UVS) held their second fundraiser at Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, VA on September 14, 2019. Since 1941, UVS has been raising funds to support veterans receiving care at VA Medical Centers throughout the country. Including activities such as pet therapy, farmer's markets, cardiac rehabilitation and many more.
The fundraiser was held at a local winery in Delaplane, VA, about 45 miles from our Nation's Capital, a scenic venue. The local representatives had chair massages and wheel of fortune prizes.
Many thanks to the people who took part in the event and for the volunteers who worked before and during the event. Great Job!
Erma Harris at the Memorial Flag Display
Erma Harris, National UVS Deputy VAVS Representative and National UVS Board of Directors Member is shown with the Memorial Flag Display at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia.
UVS at a Veterans Free Farmer's Market
The Manchester VAMC recently held a Veteran’s Free Farmer’s Market. United Veterans Services provided over $1000 in sponsorship for the event. Despite limited cooperation from Mother Nature, UVS volunteers Linda Gaetano and Joe dooley insured fresh nectarines, bananas, native corn and other healthy produce items were provided for New Hampshire’s Vererans!
Children Donate to UVS
Kimley, Gavin and Danny wanted to help veterans. They ran a lemonade stand on the 4th of July and made $68. They donated everything they made to United Veterans Services to help the organization provide services and support to hospitalized veterans.
We appreciate their dedication to helping America’s Heroes!
Pictured: Gavin, Kimley, Mary Lee (UVS Representative) and Danny.
The MISSION Act
The MISSION Act went into effect starting June 6th, 2019 and expands the options available to VA enrollees. Please read the following information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and find out how to get an educational booklet about the MISSION Act:
The VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act (MISSION Act) strengthens VA’s ability to deliver trusted, easy to access, high quality care whether at VA facilities, virtually through telehealth, or in the community.
VA has developed specific education for Veterans about receiving VA care, healthcare benefits and other related updates as the MISSION Act goes into effect on June 6, 2019. This educational booklet is titled “Health Care Options Through VA.”
Veterans can receive this educational booklet in three ways:
Download the electronic version of “Health Care Options Through VA” booklet at https://www.missionact.va.gov/library/files/MISSION_Act_Community_Care_Booklet.pdf
Contact a Public Affairs Officer at their nearest VA Medical Center for a printed copy of the booklet
Request a printed copy of the booklet at no cost by filling out a print form available online www.missionact.va.gov and at the medical centers
VA Palo Alto Health Care System Director's Suicide Prevention Message
In this video, VA Palo Alto Health Care System Director Thomas J. Fitzgerald III sends a reminder that Suicide Prevention is a top priority at VA. Learn the warning signs and how to help save lives. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1). Confidential chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text 838255
Army Vet With PTSD Finds Relief With Service Dog
A touching story about how Army veteran Russell Smith found relief through the unconditional love of his service dog. Watch the video below and find the full story here at Guide Dogs for the Blind.
