The Season of Giving
During the holiday season, the staff of the Atlanta VA Healthcare System continued to provide services and care to Veterans while also spreading cheer and joy with the gift of giving.
During the holiday season, the staff of the Atlanta VA Healthcare System continued to provide services and care to Veterans while also spreading cheer and joy with the gift of giving.
Various departments within the AVAHCS found ways to give a little extra during the holidays. The holidays is a joyous time for most but not all so every kind deed in welcomed to those without family and friends especially during the pandemic.
Many of the items were provided by community partners and volunteers.
Here are some examples of how the AVAHCS team shared:
MOAA continues tradition of giving to Veterans
Each year our friends at the Georgia Military Officer Association of American (MOAA) arrives at the Atlanta VA Medical Center loading dock with a truck load of holiday gifts for our Veterans. Center for Development & Civic Engagement meets MOAA with members of our Home Base Primary Care (HBPC) to receive the gifts for our homebound Veterans.
Staff perform Holiday entertainment for Veterans
Several employees shared their gifts of talent with Veterans and fellow employees during the recent Open Mic Hour at the Atlanta VA Medical Center.
Audrey Grant- Clinical Dietetic Tech • Nutrition and Food (Vocalist)
Chaplain Anthony Lee - Chaplain Resident & Carl Simms Ambassador Ft McPherson Domiciliary (Trombone)
Dr. Anthony Cooper, Chief CDCE, (MC)
Lamar Lyons, Painter, Engineering (Flugel Horn); Fred Loadholt, VA Volunteer (Guitar)
Veterans receive holiday items from HUD/VASH
Recreation Therapy staff and Veterans of HUD/VASH would like to say thank you for the holiday stuffed stockings & bags. The Veterans were very appreciative of the items. There were several more Veterans in attendance but they opted out of the picture.
Oakwood CBOC give to those in need during the holidays
On December 9th, the Oakwood VA Clinic staff delivered clothing and other gift items to 32 homeless children who live in local shelters with their families. Approximately 50 employees participated by providing over 100 clothing outfits, numerous gift cards, toys, toiletries and other items.
Holiday Stocking for Veterans
Center for Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE) is partnering with Soldiers Angels to provide over 500 holiday stockings for our patients. Several of Soldier’s Angels faithful volunteers spent the past few days stuffing the stockings with various holiday treats for our Veterans to enjoy. The holiday stockings will begin arriving at AVAHCS sites of care on Monday, Dec 13th.
Ft. McPherson CBOC decorates for Veterans
The Fort McPherson team knows how to decorate and celebrate during the holiday season. Our Center for Development & Civic Engagement team has partnered with various community partners to provide holidays decorations to help fill our facilities with warmth and joy during this holiday season.
Cancellation Team spreads cheer
The Cancellation Team wore festive t-shirts as they served Veterans over the holidays.
Thanksgiving Meals For Veterans
CDCE partnered with various Veteran Service Organization, stakeholders and faith based organizations to ensure our Veteran Families had a Thanksgiving Day meal.
Canes for For Heroes
Mina Little, an AVAHCS volunteer, recently delivered 30 wooden canes for our Veterans on behalf of the Canes For Heroes and Gwinnett Woodworkers Association. The two organizations donate over 500 canes a year to the Atlanta VA Medical Center.