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Click here to fill out and submit the VFW Military Service District/Post Form.
The VFW provides essential services to military servicemembers and their families. The three main efforts of the VFW National Military Services department are:
Military Assistance Program (MAP)
The VFW Military Assistance Program (MAP) is the outstretched hand between the VFW and active duty, Guard, and Reserve military units. MAP offers grants to VFW Posts who participate in military unit functions, such as sponsoring "Farewell and Welcome Home Activities," "Family Readiness Group" events, or other sponsorship ideas.
MAP also links with VFW’s Operation Uplink and Unmet Needs programs to create an all-star team of military assistance. MAP and Operation Uplink have provided more than 200 computers to set up Internet Cafes where servicemembers’ families may e-mail their deployed loved ones.
In addition, MAP has forged partnerships with various service providers, including www.vetjobs.com, aimed at providing the transitioning service member with relocation and employment assistance.
VFW Operation Uplink™
Launched in 1996 to connect active-duty troops and hospitalized veterans with their loved ones. The program uses contributions from supporters to purchase phone time for the men and women who are serving -- or have served -- this great nation, as well as hospitalized veterans.
Initially, VFW Operation Uplink exclusively distributed phone cards. In 2006, in response to growing demand, VFW began hosting “Free Call Days.” [See Free Call Day schedule] Now, every month of the year, troops can call home–at no charge—from Internet cafes throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Millions of minutes already have been provided!
Traditional phone cards are still being provided at military hospitals and VA facilities, as well as to troops in regions not served by the “Free Call Days.”
Since the program began, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has provided deployed servicemembers and hospitalized veterans with millions of minutes of free phone time. The unique program is part of VFW National Military Services, which includes other initiatives that boost morale, aid struggling military families and encourage troop support.
Unmet Needs
With the help of corporate sponsors, the VFW Foundation receives funding to establish, administer and promote the Unmet Needs Program.
But these corporate gifts will fall short of military families’ critical needs, and the program will be mostly funded by individual donations from people like you.
Funds from donations are available to the five branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard), as well as members of the Reserves and National Guard. Funds awarded by the program are offered in the form of grants--not loans--so recipients don’t need to repay them. As they are typically less than $2,500, there is little chance that they will affect the recipient’s taxes.
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