Veteran Patient Appreciation: One Valentine at a Time
February 22, 2024
Our Veteran volunteer Team looks forward to National Salute to Veteran Patients Week every year as a fun-filled week to spread cheer and love to Veterans. The purpose of the holiday is to pay tribute and express appreciation to Veterans while also spreading awareness of the role of the VA Medical and its need for volunteers. Soldiers’ Angels is one of the few nonprofit organizations permitted to work directly within the VA Hospital system. Our volunteers are there to support Veteran patients through visits, fun events, and distribution of goodies.
Since National Salute to Veteran Patients Week falls on the same week as Valentine’s Day, we also get to spread LOVE, handing out all of the Valentine’s Day Cards submitted through our Valentines for Veterans campaign. It’s the most wonderful time of the year as we get to honor Veterans, bring cheer to Veteran Patients, and throw fun events. Here’s a look at some of the events hosted by our Veteran volunteers during National Salute to Veteran Patients Week.
Orlando, Florida
The Orlando team set up a coffee and donut station at the Lake Nona VA to thank Veterans who came through. They also handed out gift bags. Here’s a video they did with Area Director Cheryl Sims, who is always looking for volunteers to join the team.
Atlanta, Georgia
In Atlanta, the team hosted giveaways at seven local VA clinics and the main hospital. In the spirit of good health, these included water and healthy snacks. The Power of Giving Foundation, who provided us with a grant and is sponsoring the April Military & Veteran Food Distribution, had staff members join us to support the giveaways.
Beckley, West Virginia
Our team in West Virginia handed our Books A Million coffee, candy, and other goodies to Veterans at the Beckley VA Hospital.
Buffalo, New York
The team in Buffalo spread some love on Valentine’s Day, handing out Valentine’s Day cards, gift bags, and other goodies to Veterans.
Chillicothe, Ohio
Chillicothe celebrated the Chillicothe VA Medical Center inpatient Veterans by providing lunches to two units in the hospital and giving out ice cream floats to the inpatients! What a fun treat!
Columbia, South Carolina
The volunteer team in Columbia joined the VA for a special Valentine’s Day event and handed out hats, blankets, and other goodies to Veterans who came through.
Los Angeles, California
Another fun Valentine’s Day for our Veteran volunteers! The team in Los Angeles spread love through Valentine’s Day cards and candy at the Peter Knight Veterans Home.
San Diego, California
Our San Diego team set up at the San Diego VA Medical Center entrance to hand out healthy snacks and thank Veterans for their service.
These are just some of the many events we held in VA Hospitals across the country to show our appreciation for Veterans and bring a bit of cheer and love to patients. Want to get involved? We have lots of volunteer opportunities within the VAs we serve. Learn more here.