Veterans are the heart and foundation of our VFW organization, and how we support them and their families is the root of our Auxiliary.  Each Veteran has gone through different experiences while serving in theatre, and for many, these experiences have altered their daily lives and/or abilities.  Let’s provide our heroes and their families with helpful resources for when life gets rough, and they need our support. 

Tips for Veterans & Family Support

• Caring for Veterans and Families in need.  Reach out and support programs within your community that help to serve Veterans and their families when life gets rough.  Examples include a Veteran pantry program, or veteran homeless shelters in your community.
• Helping to link Veterans and Family members to key resources that can aid veterans in getting the resources they deserve – at no cost. Charles Beattie, VFW Accredited Service Officer, can be reached at 412-395-6259 to request a service officer near you. If there are urgent needs to help during a time of crisis, reach out to the Veteran Crisis Line at (988 and press 1) connecting veterans and their family in times of crisis with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders 24/7. Share resources found at www.veteranscrisisline.net. Other national organizations that can help include NVA, VSO, Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Awareness, etc.)
• Supporting our service members near and far, connecting with troops through the Military Assistance Program (MAPS), supporting through a crisis through the Unmet Needs program, and supporting career transition with scholarships available through the VFW "Sports Clips Help a Hero Scholarship” program.
• Build awareness of veteran service organizations in your local community; and support them in partnership with our community outreach work.  These organizations are reaching Veterans that are outside of your VFW members, help them amplify their service to veterans and family members in need.
• Think outside the box, reach beyond your normal channels to find impactful ways to support our heroes and their families.

As a Veteran and the spouse of a Veteran, I understand the challenges Veterans and their family members have at home keeping life together, praying for their safety, and patiently waiting on their return.  And when they return, those battles and challenges come in different shapes and sizes, and are not always visible.  Let’s join Together Helping Veterans and their families.