Veterans Affairs Committee Report

report by Virginia SAR Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman George Beckett

Virginia SAR Veterans Affairs Committee 2016 Report
 
TEAMING MULTIPLIES RESULTS

Fourteen of our chapters provided either semi- or annual activity reports. As expected the chapter’s support to veterans ranged greatly—from “taking a single vet to lunch” to “teaching genealogy classes to vets hospitalized in VA Facilities.”  Each and every single act of SAR kindness is important to the man or woman who put their life in harm’s way to defend our great America.  My sincere “Thank you” goes to each chapter leadership team member and the individual compatriots who delivered the support.
 
SAR is a veteran’s support organization. We were formed to honor our fallen blood fathers who fought in the Revolution to create the democracy we now enjoy. Over the years we have expanded our vision to support all veterans and those who have given their lives to defend our nation since 1775. Today, many of our SAR chapters would like to do more to help veterans but lack sufficient volunteer hours to do so.  I hear, “We do not have the people to take on another task,” or “We are too old to start a veterans program.”  Consider teaming as a solution!
 
During the summer of 2016, the James Monroe Chapter formed a team with the local American Legion Post to provide personal hygiene kits to hospitalized veterans at McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond Virginia. We determined that we would like to provide 48 kits per quarter, but we had no money for the program! Two chapter members discussed the program with their churches, and each determined that vets should be added to their outreach programs.  In addition, discussions with able-bodied veterans resulted in nice monetary gifts, and the Legion agreed to contribute a portion of their monthly dinner 50/50 raffle.  The team was in business.  Now we are on track to deliver 48 kits every other month, rather than once a quarter, and we are funded for the rest of 2017. Teaming works! 
 
I encourage you to start talking with local organizations about a project to help veterans as a team.  The results will be a blessing for veterans, who need your support.
 
Thank you for all of your work,
 

George Beckett
Chairman
VASSAR Veteran Affair Committee