Memorial Day marks a time to commemorate U.S. men and women who lost their lives during military service. This national holiday is a reminder of the opportunity to support members of the Armed Forces, their families and veterans.
The American Red Cross has been assisting members of the military since the Spanish American War in 1898.
Locally, the Greater Los Angeles Red Cross has been providing aid in various forms since it was established in 1916. Expanding upon its traditional services, the Service to Armed Forces unit recently utilized an $80,000 grant to provide a well-deserved boost to local veterans.
Located less than a mile from the West L.A. Red Cross chapter, volunteers generously spent the day labeling, sorting and delivering items for veterans who receive services from the West L.A. Veterans Administration Hospital and the Veterans Home of California in Lancaster and West Los Angeles.
Items requested by the groups included Wii consoles with games that have been proven to help veterans with post traumatic stress disorder, as well as CD/DVD players, communal laptops, noise canceling headphones and Sony Readers earmarked for community libraries.
Surrounded by boxes of goods and shipping materials volunteers: Eva Hernandez, Ryan Anglin, Grant Wheeler and Bob Vaughn ensure that materials are ready for veterans. Eric Brubaker, logistics manager, explained how the Red Cross determined what to purchase. “To find out what the Veterans Administration needed most, the SAF department met with program heads and generated wish lists of things their programs needed most.”
The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is the largest integrated healthcare organization in the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition to maintaining 945 operating beds, the facility also manages a 321-bed domiciliary. Approximately 95% of the patients residing in the Domiciliary program would be homeless if not for the availability of this program.
On June 14, Flag Day, the Veterans Home of California in West L.A., which is located on the West L.A. VA campus, is set to open. An estimated 3,000-4,000 people are expected to attend.
Volunteers are always needed. Your contribution and efforts make a difference. Please contact the Office of Volunteer Programs at (866) 548-8226 or at volunteer@arcla.org.
