Programs | Military Assist. | Youth Dev. | Poppys

Community service is an important priority in our country and a founding VFW tenet. The VFW has a rich tradition associated with community service. Working closely with other national organizations, the VFW annually reports over 14 million volunteer hours. Member volunteerism benefits education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects.

• Support the Troops - An ongoing collection of items requested by the troops and sent in regular care packages.
• Bingo - Held every Thursday night in the upstairs hall.
• VA Hospital - Once a month visits to the Veteran's.
• Day For a Vet - Weekly fundraiser to bring the veteran's from the VA Hospital to lunch and entertainment at the post.
• Turkey Shoot - Fundraiser for health benefits.
• Poker Run - Annual event to raise money for Operation Uplink and various other post needs.
• American Red Cross Blood Drives - These quarterly events surplus the community demand for this life saving blood.

Connecticut Valley Hospital
Wish List

• The following items are on the Wish List for Connecticut Valley:
• Money donations - to be used for Bingo prizes; provide pizza for veterans after the Memorial Day Service. These moneys should be sent to Pat Rodriguez, Treasurer with a notation that they are for the CVH Fund. At Christmas we distribute holiday greetings to each veteran in residence with a $5 bill and a handmade Santa Boot with a small candy cane.
• Clothing - These should be clean and in good condition and for adults only. Large sizes for men are in demand especially. Some of these are used for Bingo prizes and others go directly to the Cottage where they are either given to patients in need or put in the Page Hall Boutique where they are sold at a nominal cost with moneys going to the Patient Activity Fund. The rationale behind selling rather than giving them is that it is a good experience for the patient, who hopefully will be discharged back to the community, to learn that in the "real" world things must usually be bought. The price for the patient is only nominal and one they can afford. A higher price is charged for staff members purchasing the same items. Some of the more popular items of clothing used as Bingo prizes are jeans, shirts and blouses, caps, sweat shirts and pants, and jackets.
• Jewelry & Accessories - Necklaces, chains for both men and women, purses and billfolds are popular.
• Toiletries - Sample or full size shampoo, toothpast, body wash, combs, toothbrushes, bars of soap, deoderant, etc. Must not be in glass or contain alcohol. Items such as disposible razors cannot be given as prizes, but may be given to staff for use on the units.
• Jigsaw Puzzles & Board Games
• Books
• Decks of Cards
• Stuffed Animals - These need not be new, but should be clean and in good condition.
• Afghans & Lap Robes - These go primarily to the Traumatic Brain Injury and Geriatric Units.
• Household items, linens, etc. luggage for patients being discharged