Supporting Those Who Serve and Sacrifice

Friends of the Orlando VA, Inc was started to support the Voluntary Services Department by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that which is normally provided by the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Never did we imagine that we would be called upon during this global pandemic to answer a call so pervasive. First, it was the closing of our Domiciliary and Community Living Center to visitors AND volunteers. The result of this isolation was immediately apparent and Voluntary Services reached out to us for support. We were able to reach out to our OCPS partner schools who responded by making cards. That was a start, but now we are being asked to provided ipads so Vets can connect by ZOOM or Facetime to family and friends and in cases where those do not exist, to volunteers in an "adopt a Vet" program. Next, came the need for food for some of our homeless Vets who even though called upon to "shelter in place," needed supplies to get through the subsequent days. And, most recently, the call to respond to our health care professionals and support staff who are now working extended hours as the health care center is operating 24/7. For these heroes, we are supporting them with meals and creating stress kits so when they leave the hospital, they can leave behind the pressures and tension if only for a few hours and spend some quality time with their families.