Community Service

The VFW has a rich tradition associated with community service, working closely with other national organizations such as March of Dimes, the Points of Light Foundation and America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth.

Constructive community service is a founding VFW tenet with volunteerism benefiting education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects. The VFW's citizenship education program is designed to stimulate an interest in America's history, its traditions and institutions, as well as promote patriotism. The VFW also partners with the Boy Scouts of America, National Rifle Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Firefighters and the Salvation Army.VFW Affiliations

The VFW shares the traditions of volunteering to build better communities and is associated with numerous national affiliations.

America's Promise

The Alliance for Youth The VFW helps mentor organizations, recruits youth to volunteer at VA Medical Centers and veterans' homes, recognizes youth and adult youth leaders for their volunteerism and invites military personnel to participate in community service projects. For further information about America's Promise call: 1-888-55-YOUTH or visit their website.

Connect America

The VFW participates in the national initiative to build better communities and encourage individual Americans to do the same. For further information visit the Points of Light Foundation web site or call the Foundation at (202) 729-8000.

First Book

The VFW partnership with First Book began in 2003 when the VFW distributed 200,000 books to military children major military bases around the country. First Book is a nonprofit organization that distributes books to children from low-income families by working with community-based tutoring, mentoring and family literacy programs. Local Advisory Boards (LABs) are a critical component of First Book's outreach efforts and consist of community volunteers who join forces to provide new books to children participating in local literacy programs. To find out if your area has LAB, call 1-866-393-1222 or e-mail rsaran@firstbook.org.

March of Dimes WalkAmerica

The VFW has been partnering with March of Dimes since 1938 and has raised more than $80,000 for the March of Dimes Walk America 2000. Last year VFW teams raised more than $114,000.

National Youth Service Day

Every April, nation attention is focused on the leadership of our nation's young people It is the largest service event in the world and will be held this year from April 11-13.

Make A Difference Day

is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October.

Groundhog Job Shadow Day

Groundhog Job Shadow Day is the kickoff to a yearlong national effort that provides students with an up-close look at how skills learned in school are put into action in the workplace.

Citizens Corps

Following September 11, 2001, state and local government officials began increasing opportunities for citizens to become an integral part of protecting the homeland and supporting the local first responders. In January 2002, USA Freedom Corps was launched to capture the spirit of service in the community. Citizen Corps, a vital component of USA Freedom Corps and the Department of Homeland Security, was then created to help coordinate volunteer activities to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. In 2003, the VFW became a partner with Citizen Corps to increase volunteer service opportunities in homeland security for Posts nationwide.