facts (CONt.)

Veterans First is proud to propose to provide veterans and their families with an alternative source of support to augment Veterans Administration (VA) benefits or to step in if the VA is unable to assist them. Veterans First goals include the following.

1. Help veterans with special needs while they are in the VA Hospitals. A survey conducted at the VA facilities in Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dayton, Ohio identified some of the special needs as:

· Personal use items such as warmer clothing, under garments, toiletries, etc.

· Televisions for the special-needs individual rooms and for the day- rooms.

· Medical/aid equipment such as lift chairs to facilitate moving the veterans in and out of bathtubs.

2. Some veterans that do not qualify for VA assistance need help in their homes. Their needs include things such as:

· Handicap rails in restrooms and bathtubs,

· Access ramps built at their homes to make the use of electric wheelchairs more practical for the veterans, and

· Lift chairs or scooters for veterans with special needs that do not qualify under current VA guidelines for this equipment.

3. Some counties in Ohio do not have, and can not afford, to provide handicapped-accessible vans to transport some veterans (from these counties) to VA facilities in the State for treatment. Vans can cost an initial $11,000.00 to acquire with help from other assistance organizations. With the current economic challenges in the country, the initial purchase price of $11,000.00 is not available to many veterans groups.

4. Many veterans being released from active duty must still deal with emotional and psychological issues that are combat-related and still plague them. Veterans First would like to eventually help sponsor “support centers” in metro areas that would help the veterans cope with the issues they face, by giving them comfort and an understanding ear. Just having a place they know they would be welcome to talk to another vet could help a great deal.

5. Set up shops in or around metro areas to clothe needy veterans. Some survey reports have stated that 65% of the homeless are veterans. Whether by economic situation or choice these veterans are in need of shelter and clothing from time to time. These shops could be set up in conjunction with Item 4 above.

6. When sufficient donations are forthcoming, Veterans First has a vision to provide monetary assistance for formal education to the spouses and children of veterans that are disabled, can not work, and have no hope of being able to provide for the educational needs of their families. many veterans are faced with just trying to survive and keep their families together, much less save for their children’s educations. The disabled veterans’ children are a big part of our nation’s future; their potential should not be stunted, nor should they be made to suffer lost opportunities because of injuries their parents sustained in the line of duty.

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Copyright© Veterans First Foundation
P.O. Box 23758
Columbus, OH 43223

Veterans First Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) charitable foundation and your tax-deductible contributions to help our
veterans can be mailed to the above address. Thank you for supporting our soldiers !

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