At Geyer & Associates, where an important area of our practice is Veteran’s Benefits, we were all very thankful this Veterans’ Day to learn of the latest announcement from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA announced no fewer than nine new strategic partnerships, which are newly formed relationships between private companies and government designed to improve the lives of veterans and their families, and facilitate personal services some veterans may not be able to access on their own.
“Since we’ve named strategic partnerships as one of our five MyVA strategies,” said Secretary Robert A. McDonald, “I’m happy to report we’ve established partnerships at unprecedented rate to tackle a myriad of different Veteran needs.”
Cardinal Health “Operation: Support our Heroes” –
Cardinal Health has pledged to donate 2,000 care packages (consisting of toiletries and other personal hygiene items), as well as other consumer health products to VA facilities for distribution to homeless Veterans.
Downs Designs Dreams –
Downs Designs Dreams designs clothing specifically for individuals with disabilities. To date, Downs Designs Dreams has already donated 166 pairs of jeans to Veterans through this partnership, representing an investment of $8,610.
Dream Foundation –
Dream Foundation honors Veterans by fulfilling their final dream towards the end of life. VA social work staff will coordinate referrals to support dream fulfilment for Veterans experiencing life-limited illnesses.
First Quality Enterprises –
First Quality Enterprises is teaming up with the VA to donate baby products to pregnant women Veterans through VA’s maternity care coordinators.
Hair Cuttery –
Hair Cuttery is sponsoring their annual “Share-A-Haircut” program. For every adult haircut purchased in any Hair Cuttery salon on Veterans Day, Nov 11th, Hair Cuttery will donate 2 free haircut certificates for VA patients who may otherwise be unable to get this type of professional service. All Hair Cuttery locations are participating and will honor the certificates through January 25, 2017.
The Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare –
This partnership builds and supports a network of current and former VA Jonas Nursing Scholars to focus on Veteran-specific healthcare needs.
NCR Corporation –
This year’s Veteran’s Day parade features NCR’s self-service kiosks in New York, N.Y. and Los Angeles, Calif., providing a point-of-service for all veterans (rural, homeless, economically disadvantaged, and medically disabled) and their spouses and dependents, via NCR’s world-class self-service technology.
Project Hero –
Through this partnership, VA Mental Health and Recreation Therapy resources will be made available to Veterans participating in Project Hero’s “Ride 2 Recovery” research programs.
United Through Reading –
UTR unites families facing physical separation by facilitating the bonding experience of reading aloud together. They offer an opportunity for military service members and Veterans to video record a book for children or grandchildren who are located elsewhere. The child receives a copy of the book with the video to read along.
In the last 18 months, Geyer & Associates’attorneys have learned that the VA’s partnerships and collaborations have brought in more than $300 million in investments and in-kind services to support America’s veterans. Kudos to the VA and the participating corporations, we say!
