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National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans

Each year during the week of Valentine's Day, Veterans Affairs hospitals nationwide celebrate National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans. This week is dedicated to recognizing and remembering that our veterans – our nation's heroes – are not forgotten.

For over 30 years, National Salute remains a strong VA tradition. VA Voluntary Service staff create an environment of morale, awareness for volunteer opportunities and community involvement to give back to the men and women who served and continue to serve our country.

While this program provides national and local recognition, smaller organizations may be able to designate one week or even one day out of the year to recognize the clientele they serve. There are schools willing to make cards, groups to make visits, sports mascots to stop in and say hello, and businesses to donate food. You can most certainly organize a fabulous day without hitting your budget.

But what is important is recognizing those you serve no matter how you do it. It is an opportunity to say we care and continue to care – not just one day, but every day.

Melissa is willing to share her templates/timelines for organizing large events. Feel free to contact her at (215) 823-5868 or melissa.heinlein@va.gov.

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Interested in more information? Check out our online bookstore for: "Keeping Volunteers," by Steve McCurley and Rick Lynch, available in downloadable PDF format.

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Melissa Heinlein

Before venturing to the nonprofit sector, Melissa Heinlein spent time working for financial, IT, and pharmaceutical companies. With her business and marketing background, she took those skills and worked for Junior Achievement and structured a formal volunteer program at Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy before going into healthcare at Abington Memorial Hospital as the Assistant Director of Volunteer Resources. Her latest adventure is Chief, Voluntary Service at Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Melissa is past president and current board member of the Delaware Valley of Association for Volunteer Administration and current member-at-large for PSDVS, Eastern Chapter. She serves as an advisor for a grassroots organization “Spark the Wave” to encourage youth volunteerism. She holds a MA in Communications from West Chester University, MS in Administration of Human Services from Chestnut Hill College, and is a certified administrator of volunteer services through ASDVS. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development at Marywood University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, writing, sports, and exploring the outdoors. She prides herself when she talks about interacting with volunteers 5-99 years old – horses and dogs included.

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