Celebrate 4th of July by helping vets
It’s thanks to our veterans that we are all able to enjoy life in a free nation. A wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day is by contributing your time, your money or specific items to help our local vets.
The Dayton VA Medical Center was established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Lincoln vowed to, “care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.” Originally known as the “Old Soldiers Home,” the Dayton VA Medical Center has become a state-of-the-art teaching facility that has been serving veterans for 155 years, accepting its first patient in 1867.
The facility provides a full range of health care services through medical, surgical, mental health (inpatient and outpatient), home and community health programs, geriatric (nursing home), physical medicine and therapy services, neurology, oncology, dentistry and hospice.
In recent years, Veterans Affairs has opened several community-based outpatient clinics, established telemedicine, vet centers and suicide prevention hotlines, plus developed other services to accommodate a diverse and ever-changing veteran population.
VA operates one of the largest health care systems in the world and provides training for a majority of America’s medical, nursing and allied health professionals. Did you know that roughly 60 percent of all medical residents obtain a portion of their training at VA hospitals throughout the country? The hospitals are involved with medical research and innovation designed to help improve lives.
According to Ryan Pleasants, the VA’s chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement, “We are able to fulfill the needs of our Veterans through the support of our volunteers and donors throughout the Miami Valley. Our volunteers are selfless individuals. Through their tireless efforts, they greatly impact countless lives of Veterans every day in and around the Dayton area.”
Serving nearly 40,000 Veterans in the area can be a daunting task. The assistance the Dayton VA receives from donors significantly aids some of the services the veterans receive.
Pleasants says our readers can be of great help. “This time of year, we are in need of summer apparel and art supplies,” said Pleasants.
Here’s what the Dayton VA can use. New items are preferred:
■ Shoes (9-13)
■ Socks
■ Underwear
■ T-shirts (M-XXXL)
■ Athletic shorts (M-XXXL)
■ Electric razors
■ Regular razors
■ Marker packs
■ Colored pencils
■ Crayon packs
■ Adult coloring books
■ Non-toxic paint sets
■ Sketch pads
■ Chapstick
■ Fingernail clippers Donations can be coordinated for delivery at the Dayton VA, 4100 West Third St., Dayton, OH 45428. You’re asked to call 937-262-2162 in advance of the delivery. You can also call this number if you’re interested in serving as a volunteer at the facility.
Monetary donations are always appreciated and can be sent to: Dayton VA Medical Center Attention Voluntary Service (135) 4100 West Third Street
Dayton, Ohio 45428
Or online at: www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online
Make a difference
Meredith Moss writes about Dayton-area nonprofit organizations and their specific needs. If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: meredith.moss@coxinc.com. Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your group’s mission.