This month would be a great time to plan a free
lunch or dinner to celebrate these caregivers. If that is not feasible, why not
a coffee get together or an ice cream social. You could even just mail them a
card to let them know that you are thinking of them. There are a bunch of ideas
you could come up with. I know how smart and creative you all are. I would love
to hear your ideas and share them here on our website. If you or our Auxiliary
has already held and event , send me pictures and we will put them up on our
website. If you are planning an event in the future, please take pictures and
send them via email to me. I especially love to see all the neat things that
are happening around our state. Caring for veterans and their families is why
we exist. Let’s not forget to show the caregivers our appreciation and
celebrate them as well.
I have a question for you all; do you know the
name of the local veterans service officer in your area? Do you have their
phone number handy? I want to encourage you all to have that information at
your fingertips. You never know when it might be needed.
Here in Central Oregon, we live in a tri-county
area. I have all three county veteran service officers’ names and phone numbers
in my phone. My challenge to myself this month is to include the state veterans
service officer’s information to that list in my phone. My challenge to you all
is to get the nearest veterans service officer’s name and contact information
and put it in your smartphone contacts or address book if you don’t have a
smart phone. (However or wherever you keep your important names and phone
numbers.)
Let’s make this fun, since February is a fun
month. Email me the name and phone number of the veterans service officer
closest to you by Feb. 28. On March 1, I will send everyone who emails me a
little surprise in the mail for playing along. Be sure to include your current
mailing address in the email so I can get your surprise to you. I will use your
information to compile a master list of veteran service officers in our state
to post on our Department website under the resources section. This way
everyone will have access to this important information.
Let’s have fun this month by caring for our
veteran’s caregivers and playing the "get to know your veterans service
officer” game with me. I hope that you all have a fantastic February! Oh, and
don’t forget…REPORT,REPORT,
report!!! Year end reports are due on April 5th.