Phoenix VA Hosts Annual VetsGiving Celebration
By Tynisha Ferguson, Phoenix VHA Public Affairs Specialist
The Phoenix VA HealthCare System hosted its Annual VetsGiving celebration at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center on Nov. 15.
Purposefully scheduled after Veterans Day and ahead of Thanksgiving, this event is hosted annually to honor our Veterans and provide resources to support them through the holiday season.
This year, 800 Veterans, their friends, and families attended and were able to speak with more than 30 vendor representatives including Women's Army Corps, DAV, American Legion Auxiliary, Arizona Society Sons of the American Revolution, Salvation Army, Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary Pup Tent 10, Jewish War Veterans, Ability 360, US Vets, American Red Cross, VA Maternity Care, Whole Health, Military Sexual Trauma, Telehealth, and many more.
More than 500 gift cards worth $25 were given out to support Veterans in need. Nineteen gift baskets were given to Veterans, and numerous other resources were also given at the various vendor tables including Mary Kay items for women Veterans. Games, face painting services, and cotton candy were available for kids. Apache Spirit, Pin-Ups for Vets, and Stephen Bradford Band provided entertainment. Food was catered by Raising Cane's and Barro's Pizza. The Phoenix VA's VCS Canteen Services also provided snacks and drinks.
Veterans and their families were able to step aboard the Phoenix Public Library’s Bookmobile to sign up for a library card and check out books, movies, seeds for their garden, and culture passes.
Interim Medical Center Director Elijah Ditter provided opening remarks, U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Lisa Cimino sung the national anthem, and Civil Air Patrol, Composite Squadron 304 posted colors during the official ceremony.
Thank you to all our volunteers, vendors, VA staff, Veteran Service Organizations, and bands who pitched in to make this event a success.