Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary - Dept. of WI

Hospital:  Volunteer Awareness in the time of COVID-19

Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Awareness

Many Auxiliaries host and/or support activities at VA medical facilities, nursing homes and local hospitals.  In fact, one out of every 10 Auxiliary members volunteers through our Hospital Program.  During this time of COVID-19:

• Be aware of the facility's safety regulations.

• Some facilities are choosing to limit, suspend or cancel patient activities provided by outside organizations.  Call or email your facility contact two to three days before showing up to volunteer.  They will advise you on whether you are to come to the facility or not.
  

• Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  

• Avoid shaking hands with others.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

• Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick.

• Read the following information provided by the VA:
  

  • VA is ready for coronavirus - and working to protect you.
    

  • The latest VA updates on coronavirus and common-sense tips on preventing the spread of disease
    

  • ​Stop the Spread of Germs

  • Symptoms of COVID-19

  • How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Face Covering

Keeping you and our veterans healthy is our first priority.

National Volunteer and Community Recruitment:

Look ahead at April 18-24, 2021 as "National Volunteer and Recruitment Week".  Volunteers are essential for nonprofits, especially in our hospitals and medical facilities where there is usually more work to do than staff to do it.  Be sure to check with the facility on guidelines for Coronavirus protection.

• Reps (the following applies to all Reps)
  

  • Hatch Act

Volunteers:​ (Look ahead and recruit volunteers so that when volunteers are able to enter the VA Facilities again the volunteers will be in place to be called upon for orientation.)

• Boost the power of employees.

• Lightens the load during heavy peak times.

• Increases the impact of care to our Veterans.
  

When doing research on when we should ask people to volunteer, I found the following:

• Best time of day is from 11 am - 2 pm.
  

• Best day of the week is Tuesday.

• Best month of the year is ANY MONTH!!
  

Our Hospital Volunteer Recruitment Kit can be found on our website:  www.vfwauxiliary.org/resources/hospital

• ​Volunteer Reintegration Plan - Oscar G. Johnson

• Volunteer Reintegration Plan - VA Medical Center Minneapolis

• Volunteer Reintegration Plan - Tomah VA Medical Center

VAVS Hospitals

Other Needs:

1. Robes for Female (and Male) Veterans.  Ask Auxiliary, Post and community members to donate new robes to inpatient female (and male) veterans.  Robes should be long/full length for complete coverage.  Pockets and a waist tie are also essential.  The robes will be a welcome gift to assist in the dignity and comfort of patients.

2. "Hope Box" - a collection of items of a Veteran's memorabilia and accomplishments throughout his or her life from family and friends to remind him/her or his/her worth, and accomplishments.  The "Hope Box" prevents depression, suicide, and gives a feeling of self-worth to the Veteran when he or she goes through his or her collection of items in the "Hope Box".  This gives the Veteran a reason for living.

Resources

• Veterans Voices Writing Project (VVWP)
  
  • www.veteransvoices.org
  • My Life Story - Milwaukee Veteran Story
    

• Veteran & Military Suicide Awareness and Prevention
  

  • Support & Resources
    

    • Veterans Crisis Line

      • Call:  1-800-273-8255, press 1
        

      • Text:  83855

      • Chat:  www.veteranscrisisline.net
        

  • Tear Drop Sticker Template
    

• Help Heal Veterans (Therapeutic Craft Kits)
  
  • www.healvets.org
    

• Patients Like Me
  
  • www.patientslikeme.com/join/vfw
    

• VA Office of Research & Development
  
  • Veterans health and well-being has expanded in recent years.
    
  • Qualified investigators use their scientific knowledge to develop care solutions for our Veterans.
    
  • Get your fact sheet at www.research.va.gov.  IBS, HIV, telehealth, diabetes continuity of care, it talks about antibiotics, microvascular disease which leads to leg amputations (Korean Vets), combat victims with mental health issues later in life, etc.  I had a Veteran come when I worked night shift tell me that he couldn't sleep and he had sleepless nights at home.  I questioned him further and he told me that in war time he slept at night with grenades and ammunition at his side and he doesn't feel comfortable that he doesn't have it here. 
    

• The Campaign to Change Direction
  
  • www.changedirection.org
    
  • The campaign to change direction - is to change the culture of mental health so that all of those in need receive the care and support they deserve. The Campaign encourages everyone to pay attention to their emotional well-being – and it reminds us that our emotional well-being is just as important as our physical well-being. Change Direction addresses common barriers to understanding mental health and raises awareness about Five Signs that may indicate someone is suffering emotionally and needs help: change in personality, agitation, withdrawal, decline in personal care, and hopelessness. Over 240 partner organizations are using their unique skills and opportunities to spread awareness.
    

• Give an Hour
  
  • www.giveanhour.org
    
  • Give an hour – we provide those in need with help and hope.  Give an Hour, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) providing free mental health services to military members, veterans, and their families, was founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area. Give an Hour has been instrumental in the development of the community-based approach to addressing the challenges that face our nation's military community, having created a successful model for harnessing skill-based volunteers eager to offer their services. Thus far, the network of nearly 7,000 licensed mental health professionals has provided more than 200,000 hours of care and support to those in need.
    
• One Mind
  
  • www.onemind.org
    
  • One Mind is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting all affected by brain illness and injury through fostering fundamental changes that will radically accelerate the development and implementation of improved diagnostics, treatments, and cures; while eliminating the stigma. One Mind believes in open science principles and creates global public-private partnerships between governmental, corporate, scientific, and philanthropic communities. 
    

• The Elizabeth Dole Foundation
  
  • www.elizabethdolefoundation.org
    
  • Preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s military caregivers; the spouses, parents, family members and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill or injured veterans.
    

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Hospital / VAVS

Through unselfish giving of time, energy, love and devotion, thousands of Veterans have been cheered, comforted, loved and thanked for the DEDICATED SERVICE to us when it was needed.  All that we are and have today, we owe to the Veterans who answered the call.  Now it is our turn to let them know how much we appreciate all they did, never forgetting their sacrifices.  These Veterans can be found in the VA hospitals, nursing homes, out-patient clinics and in their homes in every community.  More and more their numbers are increasing as they become older and experience more health problems.  Some of these men and women have no families or relatives to offer them comfort.  VFW Auxiliary members sit with them, read for them, or maybe write a letter for them.

Volunteering is rewarding.  If Auxiliaries are unable to volunteer at VA Medical and Non-Medical facilities, nursing homes, etc., there are other means of serving our Veterans in those facilities.  There are sewing patterns of items needed, money donations from Auxiliaries for Hospital Projects or therapueutic kits.  The Hospital Program promotes volunteerism and recognition for volunteers and also the Veterans Voices Writing Project (VVWP), which is a program that helps our Veterans express themselves and communicate.  VVWP has been shown to help manage Veteran's PTSD symptoms and reduce the risk of suicide.  Observe and be aware of your Hospitals and Clinics needs.  For example: An Auxiliary was notified that a VA Hospital had a problem with their water fountains and the Auxiliary stepped up and provided bottled water to this Hospital.  This is only one of many ways Auxiliaries can help!  Be creative to help our hospitalized Veterans.

Sewing Patterns

Department Hospital Chairperson

Kathie Lendosky

1183 Lakeview Rd.

West Bend, WI  53090

(262) 692-9661

lendosky16@charter.net

District Chairpersons - 2020-2021

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Hospital Bulletins

August 2020

July 2020

Ideas for Hospital Program towards Year End Reports

Ideas for Hospital Program towards Year End Report at OGJVAMC

Idea for Hospitalized Veterans - Color pictures to send

Idea for Hospitalized Veterans - Blank Owl Picture to color

Remember, year-end reports cannot be blank.  There are so many ways to volunteer, donate or creative projects.  Sew, send cards, visits, listen to veterans stories, etc. 

The awards are:

• One-$8 award for the most support, expression, appreciation and education to Veterans on National Salute to Veteran Patients week, includes letters, cards, drive through's, increased community awareness and the role of the VA Medical Center and/or as volunteers.
  

• One-$4 award for the most money donations sent to Department Treasurer for hospital projects.

• One-$4 award for the most support and handouts of teardrop stickers and education in support of Military suicide prevention and awareness (includes women Veterans crisis line and healthcare needs).

• One-$4 award for the most support on the Campaign to Change Direction - educating Veterans and the public on the 5 signs that a Veteran is suffering emotionally.

Hospital Program Checklist - 2020-2021

2020-2021 Application for Hospital Charms

2020-2021 Application for Hospital Charms Page 2

(Hospital Charms are for sewing projects ONLY)

Hospital Wish Lists

Please review the updated Department Hospital site for ideas to serve our hospitalized veterans and their needs. 

• WI Veteran's Home, Union Grove
  

  • #1
    

  • #2
    

• WI Veteran's Home, Chippewa Falls
  

• Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, Iron Mountain
  

• WI Veteran's Home, King
  

  • ​Check Donations - All checks should be made out to WVH-King and earmarked for "Activities" or a specific item.  If there are specific items to be sponsored and King purchased it and a receipt is needed, King will give a copy of the receipt.​

• Tomah VA Medical Center
  

• Minneapolis, MN VA Medical Center
  

  • Wish List
    

  • Volunteer Opportunities
    

• Wm. S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital, Madison
  

• Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee
  

National Hospital Ambassador Linda Rolof's Priority Goals for 2020-2021

1. National Salute to Veteran Patients Week - February 14, 2021

   • Ideas:  show your support to Veteran Patients with drive thru's with red vehicles, red balloons, red banners, dress in red for Valentine's week, send red Valentines cards, red letters, etc.

   • National Salute to Veteran Patients Website

   • States Veterans Home(s)

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1. Women's Healthcare Needs

   • Crisis Line:

     855-VA-Women (855-829-6636)

   • US Department of Veterans Affairs website for Women Veterans

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