Brothers and Sisters, Veteran and Family Support Article August 2025 I hope you are doing well and are connecting with our Veterans, Military, and their families regularly.

 

 

This month reminds us that every life matters and that reaching out for help or to support someone else can make all the difference. Suicide is preventable, and by talking openly, breaking down stigma, and connecting with resources, we can create a community of care where no one feels alone in their struggles.

 

 

We encourage everyone to take a moment this month to check in on friends, family, and colleagues, and to learn about the warning signs of suicide. Sometimes, just asking "How are you really doing?” can open the door to hope. Together, we can spread awareness, show compassion, and remind one another that healing and help are always within reach.

 

 

If you or someone you know is struggling, dial 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support. You are not alone. 1. Plan an event with your local county offices and have a day to educate your communities on what Suicide Prevention can do for our Military and Veteran Community. 2. Connect with an organization to have a walk in October. 3. Promote the 988 Hotline. " The Veterans Crisis Line serves Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them. Dial 988, then Press 1, chat live, or text 838255. A caring, qualified responder will listen and help.

 

 

 

1. I sent an email to all Oregon VFW Posts/Auxiliaries that have a current Adopted Unit they work with and a list of current contacts last week.

2. Applications are open September 1, 2025, and can be found on the VFW Post Dashboard. Only VFW Posts have access to this feature, and all grants must be filled out under the dashboard.

3. $1500.00 is the maximum for each event

4. If you have questions, please contact me.

 

 

1. Service member or eligible Dependent enrolled in DEERS

2. Soldiers who are deployed and their families can apply for up to $2500.00.

3. To be eligible, you must be a service member who is currently on active duty (to include active guard and reserve members) whose financial hardship is a direct result of current deployment, military pay error at no fault of the service member or currently pending a medical discharge due to service-connected injuries and illnesses received while on active duty

4. All grants are paid directly to the creditor and not to the applicant.

 

 

SPORTSCLIPS HELP A HERO

1. Please share information with your local colleges and at your recruiting events to attract more veteran students to apply.

2. Participate with local SportsClips during November by getting a haircut or having a fundraiser with SportsClips to raise awareness about this amazing opportunity.

 

 

 

The VFW and Sport Clips Haircuts assisted 156 student veterans with $740,000.00 for the 2025 fall semester. Here are the 5 Oregon Students who received a scholarship. This program has awarded $15.3 Million in scholarships to more than 3350 student veterans.

• Christina Medina – Seaside - Pacific University – Navy Veteran

• Fernando Garcia-Martinez – Portland – PSU – Army Veteran

• Stephen Anderson – Coos Bay – PSU – Marine Corps Veteran

• Shane Tidrick – Beaverton – Texas A&M – Navy Veteran

• Elliot Diaz – Turner – Uit The Arctic University of Norway – Marine Corps Veteran

 

 

The VFW's "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" provides service members and veterans with the financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt. It’s just another way for us to say "thank you” to those who fought for our freedoms.

 

 

• Scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded to qualified applicants.

• Awarded scholarships are limited to one per family per semester.

• Applications for the fall semester will be accepted Jan. 1 through April 30.

• Applications for the spring semester will be accepted Aug. 1 through Nov. 15.

• Fall semester scholarships will be awarded in August, and spring semester scholarships will be awarded in January.

• Scholarships must be used by the end of the school semester for which the veteran is applying or they will become null and void.

• Scholarships are restricted for tuition and fees only and will be paid directly to accredited schools. Eligible Applicants Must:

• Be a citizen of the United States.

• Be retired, honorably discharged, on active duty, or a member of the National Guard or Reserve.

• Have completed Basic Training and follow-on training (Advanced Individual Training, technical school, etc.). • Separated with or currently hold a military rank of E-5 or below.

• Demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

• Participate in, be accepted to, or be currently enrolled in a VA-approved program or school at an accredited post-secondary institution.

 

 

• Lawrence Alberti 12140, Sandy 4273, and Sellwood Breakthrough 4248 Welcomed Home over 900 soldiers from our Adopted Units. The event was a huge success. Thank you to everyone for donating money for the event: Lynn VFW Auxiliary 584, Molalla VFW Auxiliary 3973, Sellwood Breakthrough VFW Auxiliary 4248, Sandy VFW Post and Auxiliary 4273, Lawrence Alberti VFW Post and Auxiliary 12140, Sue Miller, and Andrea Summerlin.

• Sellwood Breakthrough Auxiliary 4248 hosted a Freedom Festival to showcase all our programs

 

 

I look forward to reading everyone’s activities in your Auxiliary Reports.