Serving Those Who Serve
Reaching out to our communities is vital to our organization. Developing relationships with community leaders, media, school faculty, and local civic groups can greatly assist each Post in achieving the VFW mission. Through dedicated community service, we extend the same spirit of service that defined our military careers into the neighborhoods and towns we call home.
5 Million+
Hours of Community Service Volunteered Annually by VFW Members
We understand first-hand the essence of rallying community support and the positive, life-changing impact we have on the world around us. VFW members volunteer their time to community service projects that benefit morale, education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects across our great nation.
"Service to our community is service to our nation. Every hour we volunteer, every hand we extend, every life we touch reflects the values we defended in uniform."
What is Community Service?
Community Service is defined as "Any activity or program sponsored or co-sponsored by a VFW Post and its VFW Auxiliary, which serves to benefit the city, town, neighborhood, other organizations, institutions or individuals NOT AFFILIATED with the VFW or its Auxiliary as a body."
⚠️ Important Reporting Guidelines
Volunteer hours committed to projects and activities benefiting the Post and its affiliated units CANNOT BE REPORTED as Community Service.
Examples of activities that cannot be reported:
• Post dances and social events
• Post bingo nights
• Post parties and gatherings
• Post Christmas parties
• Any internal Post or Auxiliary functions
VFW Local Initiatives
🏥 VA Volunteer Service
Making the decision to volunteer your personal time to our nation's heroes is an amazing way to give back and thank those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Everyone can help make a difference to a veteran and our VA Voluntary Service program makes volunteering easy!
🌺 Buddy Poppy
The red poppy has connected generations of veterans, service members and their families with civilians in remembering all those who have fallen. And for nearly 100 years, the VFW's "Buddy"® Poppy program has honored those who have sacrificed by raising millions of dollars to support veterans' well-being.
💰 VFW Foundation Grants
Designed to help VFW Posts and their Auxiliaries provide the vital support local communities, America's heroes and their families all deserve, the VFW Foundation offers funding through various grant programs available throughout the year.
🇺🇸 Patriotic Days
VFW Posts worldwide host public commemorations and other events on many patriotic days, honoring America's veterans and rich history. Join us in our efforts by getting involved with an upcoming event with your local Post today!
🤝 Uniting for Veterans
Originally established in 2018 as the Uniting to Combat Hunger program, the VFW and our friends at Humana® created Uniting for Veterans to actively address food insecurity across America with an emphasis on the military community. We have now added a veteran homelessness component and will continue to do all we can to improve quality of life for America's heroes and their families.
Learn More About VFW Community Initiatives
Discover detailed information about all VFW community service programs, local initiatives, and how your Post can make a greater impact in your community. Visit the official VFW Local Initiatives page for comprehensive resources, program guidelines, and success stories from Posts across the nation.
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