Paralyzed Veterans Of America

Programs: Advocacy, liaison, and service: the chapter has six new england states to cover. The chapter uses its newsletter and website to inform its over 800 members what each state is doing or changing concerning state & federal veterans benefits. The chapter makes phone calls or submits emails on behalf of members, veterans, or the disabled community on issues pertaining to them. The chapter represents all veterans throughout new england. There are several hospital liaisons throughout new england. What purpose do they serve? They and the national service office (nso) are the go- betweens for our members. If a member has a specific issue, they can help address the problem. They are there for you. If you have a less than stellar appointment or meeting or even accessing the va, please dont allow it to leave a bad taste in your mouth or worse prevent you from returning to the va. These individuals, listed in our newsletter and website are available to help right the wrong(s) and make the va the premier healthcare service we can all appreciate. While it is not the chapters purview to deal directly with benefits for its veterans and family members, it sends them to the best people in the country. The chapter is very proud of the outstanding relationship it has with the pva national service offices based in new england. The jobs of the pva national service officers (nso) are to see to it that each honorably discharged member and veteran are receiving all the benefits that congress has bestowed on them. The new england nso group was instrumental in getting veterans nearly 8,000,000 in benefits for massachusetts & rhode island (ct is covered by ny pva nso group) and nearly 5,500,000 between vermont, new hampshire, and maine.

sports & recreation: the chapter provides a number of sports and recreation programs and or support for various programs. This past year, the chapter sponsored 10 to 12 athletes by covering one half of the room for the new england winter & summer sports clinics. It sponsored 10 long term care veterans from bldg 8 brockton and 11 outpatient veterans at the national veterans wheelchair games (nvwg). The chapter also has an individual allotment program worth 1,000 to chapter members (must request through the bod & while funds are available) but the chapter supported a number of individuals who could not share with another athlete because they required a personal care attendant. The chapter bass trail went all out in 2017 by fundraising at three different fish & game trade shows and sponsoring three different fishing events. Many thanks need to go to the american eagle bass association for their assistance in raising over 18,000 and keeping the three tournament events free for all anglers. While it seems there are a dedicated number of members who participate regularly, all programs are available to any and all members in good standing. The idea is to keep people active.

communication: our national office requires that chapters provide at the very least, a quarterly newsletter. It can either be in print or online or both. The new england chapter remains proud that it provided a monthly newsletter both in print and online. There is just too much information out there that the chapter board and president believe members should receive in a timely manner. The chapter does its best to provide even more up to date information via its website.

membership: the chapter provides a variety of programs and services for free to our members. It also provided additional reimbursement for expenses for a variety of events whether sponsored whole or in part by the chapter, our national office, or another veterans service organization. It is great to see that chapter members and other volunteers put in over 4,000 hours. That, at the rate of 10 an hour saved the chapter nearly 40,000.