Columbus VA in Ohio has a rich history of providing meaningful volunteer experiences to area youth. Last year alone, 15 youth were able to volunteer and take part in many assignments caring for Veterans, such as assisting in the Canteen with meal service and helping them to their tables.
They served as urgent care runners, aiding wheelchair-bound patients and assisting staff with meal deliveries. They acted as greeters and patient ambassadors welcoming patients as they entered clinic areas, directing them to their appointments.
Youth volunteers also helped make patient reminder calls and put together new patient enrollment packages. Their contributions were a tremendous asset to the operations.
One sophomore at Westerville Central High School, Lulu Bang, eagerly volunteered her time, passionately greeting Veterans, assisting with wheelchair escorts, serving as a volunteer ambassador and tackling any task needed all to support those who served our country.
Making the lives of area Veterans better
During her time volunteering, Bang learned there was a large population of unhoused Veterans in Central Ohio and wanted to do something to help them with their needs.
“I introduced the idea of making bags filled with clothing and toiletries to the Red Cross Club that I am a member of and my journey to making the lives of area Veterans better began there,” Bang shared.
Through her leadership, donations for the initiative came pouring in by way of door-to-door fundraising and canvassing local businesses. Several larger businesses made generous donations to support her initiative to assist Veterans experiencing homelessness. Dozens of bags were donated to support her first year of the initiative.
“People were extremely receptive to the initiative and were excited about helping our Veterans,” she said.
Making sure they know their sacrifice is not forgotten
The program, dubbed Keep Our Vets Warm, will continue under Bang’s leadership. The initiative is not just about keeping Veterans warm in winter months. It is about making sure they know their sacrifice and service is not forgotten.
Bang encourages everyone—from high school students to adults—to take care of those who have served and who inspire us with their bravery, their honor and their love of our country.
According to Traci Washington, Columbus VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement chief, “Lulu truly embraced her volunteer assignment and found an area to support. The homeless Veteran lives in the area will truly be impacted by these efforts. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Lulu.”
If you would like to volunteer or support your local VA, explore the many ways you can give back to Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors in your community.
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Considering what is happening, especially with the Pres just yanking away all the progress we have made towards treating people who are trans like actual humans, this newsletter is just propaganda.
If gender is redefined, previously existing treatments, and healthcare can be yanked away at the whim of a President, why should any of us have any hope, faith or trust in what the VA gives us now?
He could yank my disability. He could yank the SBP and change the payout. He can yank Khalil out of the US.
The VA is no longer predictable, no longer trustworthy (at all), and no longer exists for us.
At any point it is POSSIBLE for any veteran to have their healthcare, existing treatment, disability (payments), or whatever else on the list taken away or changed. As a veteran I am well aware that all of that can be taken away or changed in some way. Realistically, that’s how life works. I could argue that some individuals joined the military simply for certain healthcare they were receiving for being transgender. That doesn’t matter though. As individuals we are all allowed to form our own opinion, that’s a beautiful thing. I always try to see both sides to the coin and have all the pertinent data before forming my opinion. With that said I completely respect your opinion, but humbly disagree. I see the beauty in the article and the point to it all. I am confused as to gender being redefined. Do you mean for the world, the U.S., the military, social media, etc.? I believe putting our hope, trust, and faith in anything on this earth is simply a recipe for disaster and disappointment. We cant control changes being made in the world, only
ourselves. I suppose it is perspective. Change is always necessary in life.
Regarding the article, it’s a beautiful thing to see people helping people.
Way to support our Veterans! We appreciate your service to us.