OCW grant helps rural veterans feel at home

The American Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) program donated more than $5,000 worth of comfort items and necessities to the voluntary service office at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash.

The grant from the Legion, delivered during a recent System Worth Saving site visit, afforded an opportunity for the medical center to receive clothing, entertainment items, necessities, two color laser printers and art supplies. The items will go directly to residents and patients participating in several programs at the VA medical center, including the Red Badge Project, the substance abuse rehabilitation program, and homeless veterans and family members who reside in former officers’ quarters on the medical center’s campus.

OCW Coordinator Bruce Drake worked with local community agencies to procure the items, which included a rocking chair and other furniture for a family who recently moved into a home renovated by Catholic Charities of Walla Walla. “I’m glad we were able to get a great deal and provide the things this mother needed to be able to rock her child to sleep,” he said. “Our wars are winding down and our injured troops are leaving their military care centers and will now be treated at VA hospitals for the rest of their lives. As veterans, it is important for us to reach out to them."

While Drake and other Legionnaires from the Department of Washington shopped for items, local residents were inspired by the Legionnaires and provided additional donations.

Past Department of Washington Commander Larry Watson said he was impressed by how the community continues to rally behind the veteran population and the medical center. “(Recently) the community got together and decided they wanted to help out. They opened homes throughout the town for veterans, helped them get jobs, and taught them vital skills like wood working,” he said.

Walla Walla VAMC Director Brian Westfield expressed appreciation to the Legion for providing the much needed items, especially while the facility is affected by budget constraints after the looming possibility of hospital closure hung in the balance for several years. “We can’t do our jobs without the support of The American Legion and their volunteers," Westfield said. "Everything that has been accomplished would not have been possible without help from our veterans service organizations."

Grants issued by OCW, a program created by the Legion to assist veterans who are overcoming mental and physical wounds, are essential in rural areas like Walla Walla, Drake noted. He added that he would like to see more donations granted in Washington state. “Every year, veterans are working hard to donate more and more to the program. In turn, I feel I have to work twice as hard to write even more grants to aid our ill or injured veterans,” he said.