Veterans Fund Bulletin Board
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News about and for veterans and their families

As a trusted resource organization, The Veterans Fund is constantly researching Quality of Life opportunities and offerings for our veterans, their families, and their caregivers. This page highlights the best of those currently available as they have been brought to our attention.

Scranton Veterans Continue to Serve

(This article was submitted to TVF by Michael Rapp, Admissions and Marketing Coordinator, Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center)

Gino J. Merli P.E.E.R. Group Gives Back for the Holidays

By Michael Rapp (Winter 2010)

For several years the P.E.E.R. group at the Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center has worked to be a catalyst for positive communication between staff and management, and a strong voice for residents' rights. They have succeeded on both fronts, and have not only improved the lives of residents at the GMVC, but also the work lives of staff. However, one aspect of the GMVC P.E.E.R. mission that sometimes goes unnoticed is community service.

P.E.E.R. is a completely self-sufficient entity, according to member and spokesman Lou Ross. They do not rely on money from the Resident Welfare Fund to subsidize their projects, nor do they accept money from general funds. Raffles and 50/50 drawings supply much of their budget, and a can collection program helps to raise additional capital while keeping the planet a little cleaner. With the cash generated from these endeavors the group sponsored several community concerts over the summer, and for the holiday season they set their sights set on helping the needy.

For October and November the P.E.E.R. group collected canned goods and other non-perishable items for donation to the St. Francis Soup Kitchen, which is located only a block away from the GMVC. Staff, families and visitors were encouraged to bring in unopened food items and drop them off in the collection area near the front entrance. Thanks to P.E.E.R. everyone was able to pitch in and help those in need have a happier Thanksgiving.

Another project the P.E.E.R. group worked on this past November was the Hat and Glove Drive. Like the canned goods, a box was located near the front doors of the facility where people kindly donated their gently used hats, gloves, mittens, scarves or other winter accessories. The collection was then distributed to the Women's Resource Center, where chilly people can pick them up.

December brought back the Christmas Wish Tree, a project that has been very successful over the past several years. A Christmas tree was placed in the front lobby, decorated with cardboard ornaments each featuring the name of a needy child and their Christmas gift wish. Staff, family, visitors and even residents could pick an ornament from the tree, and purchase the gift for the child. They then returned the wrapped gifts to the GMVC, where they were donated to United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA and distributed to children.

Another on-going project is the collection of tabs from soda cans. P.E.E.R.-in-training Mary Hoffman is spearheading this one, and hopes that it will defray some of the cost of dialysis for sick children.

Will all of these ventures it might seem that P.E.E.R. has strayed from their intended path. P.E.E.R., after all, stands for Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents, and their main mission is to help other residents with problems and concerns that affect their quality of life. Despite the busy holiday season, this duty proceeded uninterrupted. P.E.E.R. still brings welcome baskets to all new residents and greets them, informing them of whom they can turn to when they have a problem. P.E.E.R. sends get-well cards when residents are sick, and bereavement cards to the families of residents who pass away. Most importantly, P.E.E.R. meets formally once a month to discuss business, and members often confer in small groups on pressing matters that arise between meetings.

The P.E.E.R. program began as an experimental project, and has grown into a fixture of the GMVC. Their work here makes the home a happier place, and their efforts in the community improve our city. In 2010 they will celebrate the fifth anniversary of their inception, and they have accomplished so much is such a short time. Here's hoping the New Year brings more of the same.

2009 COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY
MUSIC SCHOOL CAMPAIGN

The Veterans Fund (TVF) is proud to be coordinating a nationwide campaign to encourage America's Colleges and Universities to celebrate, Every Veteran…Every Day. With donations arriving daily, TVF would like to thank the following Schools, and their fine musicians, for honoring the veterans of their states (and, in some cases, the veterans of all the states) with their CDs and DVDs:

• Alma College
• Appalachian State University
• Augustana College
• Berry College
• Bethel University
• Bluefield College
• Bryan College
• Central Arizona College
• Concordia University Chicago
• Dordt College
• Drury University
• East Texas Baptist University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia College & State University
• Georgian Court University
• Glenville State College
• Grand View
• Heidelberg University
• Indiana State University
• Marian College
• Mansfield University
• Messiah College
• Milligan College
• Moody Bible Institute
• Morningside College
• Mount Union College
• Nebraska Wesleyan University
• Northeastern State University
• Northwestern State University
• Oklahoma Baptist University
• Rowan University
• Saint Mary's College
• Shepherd University
• Shippensburg University
• Shorter College
• Simpson College
• Southeastern Lousianna University
• St. Olaf College
• Stetson University
• Tennessee Tech University
• Texas Wesleyan University
• The College of William & Mary
• University of Akron
• University of Alabama Band
• University of Colorado at Boulder
• University Of Idaho
• University of La Verne
• University of Nebraska - Lincoln
• University of North Texas
• University of Northern Colorado
• Westminster College
• Wright State University

PRAISE FOR OREGON GOOD SAM CLUBS AND THE VETERANS FUND

The September 2009 issue of the national magazine of Good Sam, Highways, features an article describing and praising the volunteer work of the Oregon Good Sam Clubs, and discussing their relationship to The Veterans Fund. Below is a copy of that article:

Chapter News
On the Front Lines
Oregon Good Sam chapters support America’s veterans In commemoration of the Oregon Good Sam organization’s 40th anniversary, chapters throughout the state are volunteering for the Veterans Fund, which coordinates visits, entertainment and events at Veterans Administration medical centers and veterans’ homes. Chapter members have visited veterans throughout Oregon and delivered more than 650 handmade lap robes.
This program is intended to emphasize Every Veteran, Every Day, which means one-on-one contact, being there and reaching out in friendship first, says Oregon State Director Wayne Swanson. To learn more about the Oregon Good Sams’ support of the Veterans Fund, visit Veterans Fund. For more information about Good Sam Club chapters, click on the website below and select Chapters. Good Sam Club

VA Website Blog to Welcome Home Returning Veterans

To welcome home Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, The VA launched its new Returning Veterans Web site herein April 2009. This social, Veteran-centric Web site focuses on their needs and questions and offers a forum for these returning Veterans to discuss their lives.

Florida Is First to Adopt K-9 Veterans Day

There is a national effort working to get the entire country to adopt March 13 as the day to recognize the bravery and loyalty of all of the dogs in all of our wars. The official birthday of the US Canine Corps is March 13, 1942, even though dogs served in wars prior to that. In 2009, under the leadership of Governor Charlie Crist, Florida became the first state to officially proclaim March 13 as the day to recognize those dogs who have fought, bled, and died beside their fellow troops. If you are interested in more information about this effort, link to this website

OREGON GOOD SAM CLUB REACHING OUT TO VETERANS

The latest E-Drifter, the newsletter of the Oregon Good Sam Club available April 2009, reports that the involvement of the Oregon Good Sam members with our Oregon veterans is growing. In this month’s Every Veteran…Every Day section, the newsletter suggests that because there are fewer and fewer active VFWs and American Legions, it is important that other community organizations take up the torch of service. The article mentions donation of wheelchair bags and 2009 calendars to the Roseburg VA by the Oregon Santiam Sams. The state leadership of this fine organization continues to encourage and support the efforts of its members with regard to their volunteer activities and gifts to our veterans. Kudos and thanks to all.

Prostate Cancer and Agent Orange

One out of every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Last year, the University of California-Davis Cancer Center released findings of a study that found higher rates of prostate cancer among veterans. The study contends that Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange develop the disease twice as often, are diagnosed 2 1/2 years younger, and are nearly four times more likely to develop more aggressive forms of cancer as compared with those where were not exposed. Vietnam veterans, please talk with your medical caregivers about Prostate Cancer screenings. For complete article, see: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/18347

Women Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2009

Bi-partisan legislation to prepare the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the influx of women veterans who will access care there in the coming years has been introduced by Senator Patty Murray, (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) is the lead co-sponsor of the legislation.

According to the press release from Senator Murray’s office, the Women Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2009 is designed to address unique needs of women veterans, provide improved care for Military Sexual Trauma, and explore the effects service in Iraq and Afghanistan has had on female veterans.

Among other things, the legislation will:

• Require the VA to implement a program to train, educate, and certify VA mental health professionals to care for women with sexual trauma
• Require the VA Secretary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the barriers women are facing in accessing care at the VA.
• Authorize a report to Congress on the effects the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had on the physical, mental, and reproductive health of women who have served there.
• Require the VA to begin a pilot program that provides child care to women veterans that seek mental health care services at the VA.
• Require the VA to begin a pilot program that provides readjustment counseling to women veterans in group retreat settings.

For more information about The Women Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2009, see: murray.senate.gov/veterans/women-vets-2009.pdf

The National Archives for Veterans and Families

The National Archives website offers many services to Veterans and their families. Information and links are available for those seeking Military Service Records and Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs), and for those who wish to request Service Records or Proof of Service (DD Form 214), Medical and Health Records, and replacement Medals and Awards. For these and other valuable resources, visit: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) Expanding Efforts to Serve Veterans

In celebration of its 60th anniversary in 2009, the RFB&D is vastly expanding its outreach efforts to our nation’s veterans. The organization was founded in 1948 to help blinded WWII soldiers attend college via the GI Bill of Rights. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, more than one million veterans have a visual impairment or another type of print disability. For more information about their services, you may call toll-free 866-RFBD-585 (866-732-3585) or visit www.rfbd.org/vet

Sesame Workshop Videos

Sesame Workshop has developed a series of bilingual (English/Spanish) videos for our military, our veterans, and their families. These well developed resources are available for online viewing and/or for free download, along with their supportive materials and music. Deployment, Homecomings, and Changes are all dealt with in typical Sesame Street quality. The video about Changes was of particular interest to us. This presentation is designed to help families deal with and discuss possible physical and emotional changes resulting from deployment. The Veterans Fund highly recommends this site and these materials. For your convenience, here is the link: Sesame Street Workshop

Traumatic Brain Injury Video

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center website (www.dvbic.org -- link to “Education”) offers a 29-minute video with valuable introductory information for understanding Traumatic Brain Injury. The film is introduced by Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.) and features the recovery journeys of several service personnel and their families. Also, available to leaders of military groups, veterans’ groups, and civilian organizations are downloadable materials to help educate the general public about traumatic brain injury and a helpful fact sheet.

Senate Committee on Veteran’s Affairs

The US Senate Committee on Veteran’s Affairs was created in 1970 to ensure that this nation’s Veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned. News and updates concerning the work of this Committee are available for viewing at: Veteran's Committee Page. Current links to news of importance to our Veterans, their families, and their Caregivers, include these items of interest:

• Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) introduces three new videophone products for deaf and hard of hearing government employees. These videophones use a sign language interpreter through the video relay service (VRS) with a high-speed connection. Each agency should have protocol for obtaining videophone connections. If you have any questions contact Jeffrey Dallos, Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Communication. He can be reached at jeffrey.dallos@tma.osd.mil.
   
  
• The Veterans Affairs Committee recognizes the importance of treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has expanded its range of mental health services. For more information on the symptoms of PTSD, visit the VA website at: www.ncptsd.va.gov/index.html
  
  
• The US Small Business Administration (SBA) contains an Office of Veterans Business Development. Its stated mission is to “maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their Dependents or Survivors.” You may learn more about this resource at the SBA website: www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms