December is Veterans Affairs & Rehab Month
Every month we should recognize and support our veterans, but the American Legion Auxiliary recognizes December as Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Month.
The key program statements for our program this year include supporting veteran caregivers, family members and survivors, enrolling members as VA Voluntary Service volunteers at our VA health care facilities, supporting our veterans with support of rehabilitation and healing through arts, crafts and hobbies they are interested in, helping to promote job fairs for veterans and their families while helping with our homeless veterans crisis, and finding opportunities for members to serve veterans within your communities, and volunteering with partner organizations like Wreaths Across America and Honor Flight Inc. More information on these program can be found in the unit guide.
Minnesota is blessed to have eight beautiful veterans homes and we work with four VA Health Care Systems that serve our veterans and their families through quality care and an environment of community. President Judy Ackerman has appointed the following to serve as the representatives this year:
Bemidji Veterans Home: Denise Milton, Bagley Unit 16
Fergus Falls Veterans Home: Doris Lafayette, Barnesville Unit 153
Hastings Veterans Home: Darlene Wondra, Montgomery Unit 79
Luverne Veterans Home: Jeannette Mertens, Redwood Falls Unit 38
Minneapolis Veterans Home: Sandy Gibson, Rosetown Unit 542
Montevideo Veterans Home: Jennifer Hurst, Montevideo Unit 59
Preston Veterans Home: Wanda Prescher, Stewartville Unit 164
Silver Bay Veterans Home: Nancy Hopper, Two Harbors Unit 109
Fargo VA Health Care System: Becky Olson, Moorhead Unit 21
Minneapolis VA Health Care System: Janet Thompson, Apple Valley Unit 1776
Sioux Falls VA Health Care System: Diane Strassburg, Adrian Unit 32
St Cloud VA Health Care System, Jan Benson, Waite Park Unit 428
If you visit one of the facilities or see them at an event, make sure to thank them for their time with our veterans. They are many times the first face of the American Legion Auxiliary to these veterans and their families.
It is important that we support our Minnesota Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation programs first financially. Through donations, directly sent to our department office, from units and individual members we support the following for our veterans:
American Legion Auxiliary Hospital Program: Money received to the fund allows the hospital and home representatives to provide clothing, personal care items, special outings, events, treats, cards and much more for all the veterans utilizing our facilities.
$5 Bill Shower: Provides a $5 bill to all veterans in our facilities for personal use
Overall Minnesota Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation program: Supports all activities we do in the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation program
Gift Shop: Provides gifts to hospitalized veterans, nursing home residents and their families during the holiday season.
Minnesota Fisher House: Donations help cover support supplies, food, personal hygiene items, and other special needs for the families.