More than any time in our nation’s recent history, citizen involvement is critical to the health of our community and America. No longer assured of access to government funding to meet our community needs like health care, human services and education, it’s time to seriously appreciate and support our precious wealth – our volunteers.

VFW is an organization of more than 1.7million veterans who have served overseas in war zones or areas demanding hazardous duty. The community service endeavors of the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary go well beyond the realm of “veterans helping veterans.” From organizing assistance to our military and their families, to volunteering in VA hospitals, to mentoring children in schools and with groups like the Boy Scouts, volunteers are an integral part of our community.

Community service projects provided over 19 million hours of volunteer service. VFW and Auxiliary members spent or donated nearly $67 million to complete these projects. The Voice of Democracy high school audio essay contest provided more than $2.5 million in college scholarships. VFW service officers handled over 104,000 claims, with over $1 billion in recovered entitlements. The Buddy Poppy program raised more than $15 million that is used for service programs and relief for needy veterans.

Volunteers, those who would help others, are truly great Americans. If our precious heritage is to continue to be a meaningful one, it must be passed on unchanged and untainted. The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary means to see that this happens and this is why our members believe in the statement “honor the dead by helping the living.” Thank you for your volunteer work in our communities.

To access information on any of these community service activities, click on the appropriate menu button.