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VFW Programs & Projects
Since its founding, VFW has been a staple in the community. Troop support, youth activities, volunteering and scholarship programs are a few of the ways VFW shines in the many communities and cities where Posts are located.
Scholarship Programs
- Voice of Democracy (VOD)
This audio-essay competition annually awards more than $2.5 million in scholarships to students in grades 9-12. First-place winner receives $30,000 scholarship.
- Patriot's Pen
More than $900,000 is awarded annually to students in grades 7-8 in this essay contest. First-place winner receives $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond.
- Scout of the Year
A $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding scout.
Educational Outreach
- Echoes From the Wall
VFW partnered with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to distribute a curriculum, Echoes From the Wall, to 25,000 public and private high schools and donated $50,000 to the project.
- Educational Brochures
VFW produces and distributes a flag brochure and poster as well as background material for Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
- Veterans in the Classroom
November is officially known as VFW Veterans in the Classroom Month. Members demonstrate flag etiquette and share their wartime experiences with America's youth.
Youth Activities
Locally, VFW Posts sponsor various youth sporting programs such as baseball and ice hockey. In addition VFW Posts sponsor Boy Scout troops, Junior Olympics and Bike Safety.
Community VolunteerismEach year, VFW members volunteer more than 15 million hours of service to various community endeavors.
- Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service
VFW was a charter member in 1946. On average, more than 5,000 VFW volunteers donate 1 million hours of service annually at VA medical facilities.
- March of Dimes
VFW Posts raise an average of $100,000 annually for March of Dimes (MOD).
Troop Support
- Military Assistance Program (MAP) Emergency
Financial Assistance Fund has distributed thousands of dollars to troops in need since August 2000.
- Adopt-a-Unit
More than 1,000 units and ships have been adopted through VFW Posts. VFW National Headquarters adopted the USS Cole in 2002.
- Care Packages
Posts across the country show their support of America's military by collecting and distributing much-needed personal items for troops.
- Operation Uplink
Introduced in 1996, this free phone card program connects active-duty personnel and hospitalized veterans with family members. Millions of cards have been distributed to date.
VFW Operation Uplink has provided over 2,900,000 connections through 35 free call days. Made available through the internet cafes, "Free Call Days" are growing in popularity; Operation Uplink is averaging more than one million minutes of free talk time on each "Free Call Day" at over 860 internet cafes.
VFW Programs & Projects
Since its founding, VFW has been a staple in the community. Troop support, youth activities, volunteering and scholarship programs are a few of the ways VFW shines in the many communities and cities where Posts are located.
Scholarship Programs
- Voice of Democracy (VOD)
This audio-essay competition annually awards more than $2.5 million in scholarships to students in grades 9-12. First-place winner receives $30,000 scholarship.
- Patriot's Pen
More than $900,000 is awarded annually to students in grades 7-8 in this essay contest. First-place winner receives $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond.
- Scout of the Year
A $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding scout.
Educational Outreach
- Echoes From the Wall
VFW partnered with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to distribute a curriculum, Echoes From the Wall, to 25,000 public and private high schools and donated $50,000 to the project.
- Educational Brochures
VFW produces and distributes a flag brochure and poster as well as background material for Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
- Veterans in the Classroom
November is officially known as VFW Veterans in the Classroom Month. Members demonstrate flag etiquette and share their wartime experiences with America's youth.
Youth Activities
Locally, VFW Posts sponsor various youth sporting programs such as baseball and ice hockey. In addition VFW Posts sponsor Boy Scout troops, Junior Olympics and Bike Safety.
Community VolunteerismEach year, VFW members volunteer more than 15 million hours of service to various community endeavors.
- Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service
VFW was a charter member in 1946. On average, more than 5,000 VFW volunteers donate 1 million hours of service annually at VA medical facilities.
- March of Dimes
VFW Posts raise an average of $100,000 annually for March of Dimes (MOD).
Troop Support
- Military Assistance Program (MAP) Emergency
Financial Assistance Fund has distributed thousands of dollars to troops in need since August 2000.
- Adopt-a-Unit
More than 1,000 units and ships have been adopted through VFW Posts. VFW National Headquarters adopted the USS Cole in 2002.
- Care Packages
Posts across the country show their support of America's military by collecting and distributing much-needed personal items for troops.
- Operation Uplink
Introduced in 1996, this free phone card program connects active-duty personnel and hospitalized veterans with family members. Millions of cards have been distributed to date.
VFW Operation Uplink has provided over 2,900,000 connections through 35 free call days. Made available through the internet cafes, "Free Call Days" are growing in popularity; Operation Uplink is averaging more than one million minutes of free talk time on each "Free Call Day" at over 860 internet cafes.
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