Supporting Veterans and Their Families

The VFW and Auxiliary’s motto is “to honor the dead, by helping the living.” To that end, we support our comrades and their families in many ways.

We help families get the assistance they need from the VA. We visit veterans at home, run errands, and assist financially when the need arises. And we’re there in times of bereavement, illness, and other hardships — even if you only happen to be overwhelmed with the endless demands of a caregiver. If you’re a caregiver for your veteran, check out the many types of support for Caregivers that we or the VA can help with at: VA Caregiver Support.

Military Assistance Program

Our Military Assistance Program (MAP) provides services to our active duty military personnel, from providing Operation Uplink calling cards and online chat rooms so that troops can talk with their loved ones at home, to providing assistance to the families they leave behind through the Unmet Needs program.

National Veterans Service

The VFW understands the frustrations that can arise when filing a claim with the VA. The claims process can be confusing and one that service members and veterans shouldn’t try to navigate alone. That’s why the VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS) was created. It consists of a nationwide network of service officers who are experts in dealing with the claims process and help thousands of veterans cut through the bureaucratic red tape every year. They are the key to success, recovering approximately $1 billion in earned benefits and compensation for veterans each year. The VFW has more than 15,000 trained service officers to assist any veteran or their dependent in gaining federal or state entitlements. (see a list)

Family Assistance

In Garner -> Military Family Support Group, Homeland Heroes

DeploymentLINK for families of deployed troops

Reservists Support Center for military reservists and their families

National Military Families Association

Help with home repairs

Frequently Asked Questions for Reservists called to active duty

Local VA Hospitals

The brand-new Garner VA Clinic, a 240,000-sqft outpatient facility located at 2700 Benson Rd., is slated to open later this summer. Groundbreaking for the clinic began in March 2023, and they’re preparing to welcome their first patient at the end of July 2025.

Historically, most of Post 10225’s members have visited the Durham VA or one of its Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs). However, some members who live closer to the Fayetteville VA Medical Center use that facility for their needs instead.

Volunteering

Caring for our hospitalized veterans is an important aspect of the VFW’s work. To bring a smile to a veteran, who may not have had a visitor for a while, is incredibly rewarding. Our Post joins with the Garner American Legion Post 232 to make monthly visits to veterans. Check our calendar to find out where and when the next visit will be.

In addition to scheduled visits, all VA facilities are in need of regular volunteers, in areas such as: Escorts, Reception, coffee truck, Pharmacy, Recreation Therapy, office help, and someone to write a letter or just read to the patients. There are people who run pet therapy sessions, and art therapy as well. Our volunteers do a wide variety of things — and they do it in a variety of places. So if you have a few hours, even once a week, or once a month, contact your local hospital and ask how you can help.

Veterans Voices Writing Project (VVWP)

The VVWP was founded in 1946, and has long been connected with the VFW Auxiliary. It is a therapeutic writing program that helps veterans express themselves and communicate in a creative way. Members can become involved with a local VVWP representative and assist veterans in writing, recording or typing. Training and resources are provided. Three times per year, VVWP publishes Veterans’ Voices, a magazine that prints a selection of submissions. To learn more about the program and how to become involved, visit veteransvoices.org/, call 816-701-6844 or email volunteer@veteransvoices.org.

National Home for Children

The VFW National Home for Children, located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, is a private, non-profit, residential child care agency providing long and short term residency to children and grandchildren of veterans.

The National Home is licensed as a child care facility by the State of Michigan. The Home is affiliated with the National Association of Homes and Services for Children, Michigan Association of Children’s Alliances, and Michigan Nonprofit Forum.

Children and grandchildren of VFW and Auxiliary members whose parents are deceased, disabled, or in a situation where they cannot provide needed care are eligible for residence. Ages include preschool to young adult who are referred by VFW Posts and Auxiliaries, state and county court systems, state child welfare systems, and individuals. The National Home also accepts eligible single parent families in need of a goal-defined program.

The foundation of this community is built on the promotion of sound moral values, respect for our country, spiritual growth, community involvement, personal responsibility, educational achievement and self-worth. It is because of these values that the National Home will continue to exist for many years to come.