May 2 marked the kickoff to VFW’s 5th Annual Day of Service. Taking place across the nation and around the world, VFW Day of Service showcases veterans banding together to make a difference in their communities. By combining resources, gaining media support and dedicating the entire month to service, VFW spotlights the ongoing commitment of veterans who continue to lead lives of service.
As of May 29, 2,662 Posts around the world had completed Day of Service projects. That number will grow as more Posts submit reports for activities completed.
Members of VFW Post 152 in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, gather with volunteers following a park cleanup on May 2 in North Kingstown. For the Fifth Annual VFW Day of Service, Post 152 collaborated with the community on several events throughout the day.In North Kingstown, Rhode Island, members of VFW Post 152 and community volunteers took the Day of Service to a new level with multiple events taking place. To get things going, Post 152 member Patrick Murray presented a proposal to the North Kingstown Town Council to formally make the first Saturday in May the town’s Day of Service.
Once the Council passed a resolution to that effect, Murray visited with other civic organizations to discuss the possibilities. From there, the Day of Service became about park clean-ups, beautifying sections of streets, donating blood and collecting food for an area pantry.
“We tried to make this more than just the VFW doing it,” Murray said. “The point of Day of Service is to be visible to the public. For next year, we will continue to get more people involved and grow the effort.”
One of the groups participating was the Plum Beach Garden Club, whose members worked the flower beds in historic Wickford Village. North Koffee provided a good location and coffee for the blood drive donors. Allies Donuts provided donuts to keep the volunteers fueled.
Murray said he is grateful to the North Kingstown Town Council and town employees who helped make this event the official Town Day of Service. Others such as Histwick, Wickford Village Association, North Kingstown Chamber, St. Paul’s, St. Bernard’s and St. Francis de Sales all heavily promoted the event, Murray added.
“We were appreciative of the Rhode Island Blood Center for being supportive and flexible as the logistics of the day evolved,” he said. “We had 31 donors and hit 150 percent of our goal.”
Murray said that involving the entire community it made the Day of Service more successful and collaborative. He said all Posts could do the same by going to the city council or town council several months in advance of May. (See Day of Service list of Posts on p. 54.)
“Any Post can do exactly what we did in North Kingstown,” Murray said. “What we experienced was solid community teamwork. Most importantly, everyone involved showed they care about our town.”
This article is featured in the September/October issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor for VFW magazine.