How One Charity Uniquely Connects Donors with Recipients

WINCHESTER, Calif., Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Help Hospitalized Veterans, the largest organization distributing free arts and crafts kits to veteran and military medical patients, provides a unique service to both donors and beneficiaries—a thank-you postcard.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121220/LA33655LOGO)

The postcards, generated by donations from folks throughout America, are attached to each kit.  These postcards allow veteran and military patients to write a note of thanks to the donor, then simply drop the postcard in the mail, because the postage has already been paid.

Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) was founded in 1971 for the purpose of giving hospitalized GI's and veterans something to keep their hands busy and minds active while reminding them—through that one little postcard—that their service is appreciated and will not be forgotten.  As one hospital therapist so clearly put it, "The craft kits are not to kill time, but to make time live" as the completion of a kit frequently represents a successful recovery—whether it's a physical or emotional one.

Since its inception, the organization has worked hard to put a craft kit into the hands of all military service members and veterans receiving medical care—both inpatients as well as those receiving outpatient care.  And HHV is proud to announce the distribution of over 28 million kits, with tens of thousands going directly to veterans every month.

But it's this little card which often opens a channel of communication between those who give and those who benefit that truly distinguishes HHV.

Over the years, several postcards have made their way back to HHV, usually through a delighted donor wishing to share their joy at having made contact with a veteran.  One such postcard was recently completed for a veteran by his therapist, who wrote,

"The donations that you make to Help Hospitalized Veterans help so many men and women.  Today, I saw something that I have never seen before.  A vet came into the craft room to pick up a model.  This vet didn't walk in, he didn't ride a wheelchair in.  This man brought his whole bed in.  You see, he is paralyzed…can only move his head and arms.  That is the willpower he had.  When you see things like this, you know why you mean so much to us.  Thank you."

"It's heartwarming to hear about interactions like these, because they demonstrate the importance of HHV's therapeutic programs and services," said Mike Lynch, the organization's president and CEO.

Help Hospitalized Veterans has been making a real difference in the lives of veterans for over four decades, and looks forward to many more years of service to America's wounded, sick and disabled veterans and military patients.

Contact:
Frank Cimorelli
928-848-7803
[email protected]

SOURCE Help Hospitalized Veterans

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