Serving with Heart This Holiday Season

I can’t believe we are already in the month of October, hard to believe Christmas is only 85 days away.

Don’t forget to get your quotas in too, this is an important goal of each auxiliary this supports all facilities. Remember we have a Christmas Hospital Fund too, and only 85 days away, donations can be sent to De-partment of Oklahoma Auxiliary, attention Department Treasurer, please include in the memo section Christmas Donation. Christmas donations must be received by Department Treasurer prior to December 1st.

I know our Auxiliaries are busy this time of year, but please email, text, Facebook Program Page, or use the webpage Oklahomavfwauxiliary.org to submit your hospital reports. Please include your Auxiliary number, volunteer hours, and miles, a brief description, and photos are always welcome. I look forward to seeing all that you are doing for our hospital program.

I want to give a big shout out to Auxiliary 474, Muskogee, they have participated in hospital volunteering each month and submitted their reporting. I would love to give shout outs to all auxiliaries, so continue your volunteering, remember volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they have the HEART!

Have you checked with your local facilities to see what their needs might be for the holiday season? It’s better to start early getting your Auxiliary to approve funds, or fundraisers to support your local Veterans and seniors.

A good way to participate is by sending cards out to your local Veteran facilities, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and YES Christmas is right around the corner. Your Auxiliary could buy blank cards and members could place heartfelt greeting inside them, thanking them for their service.

Right now, many of the hospitals are going into winter flu and cold season protocols, this means if you are volunteering at a facility, they may require flu vaccinations. Please find out before going to volunteer at any facility whether volunteers are required to have a flu shot. This protects the patients, or residents, and you. However, not everyone can or does get a flu shot, before making time for an event please check with your facilities.

I could use one more volunteer to help out at Marie’s Liberty Bell at Fall Fest. Just contact me if you have the desire or time to volunteer. All proceeds go towards the Hospital Program.

I will update you more on the needs of Jack C Montgomery VA Hospital, Muskogee once I receive their list. Check with Laquetta McCarter on the Oklahoma City VA Hospital needs, as the VAVS representative she can obtain more information for you.

Together, we can make a lasting impact in the lives of those who have served our country. Thank you for supporting our VETERANS!

Remember our mission, every member has a voice for serving “Our Veterans, Their Families, and the Community”, “Serving America’s Heroes” and “The Power of One”

Cheryl Campbell Susan Nicholson

Hospital Chairman Hospital Co-Chairman