Program areas at Paralyzed Veterans of America - Arizona Chapter
Prosthetics: we had a great year these last 12 months. We received a vast number of supplies and managed to find military, their family members and people in need all over the Arizona community to give aid to. We had an extraordinary in and out of supplies in one week that helped so many people with gloves, gowns and masks and other hospital supplies, it was amazing. Dawn and matt moved 5 trucks of equipment in 2 days. It is doubtful we will move this much in one year again.
Advocacy: the Chapter sends a new team from the board of directors to Washington d.c. each year with follow-up letters and visits, when possible, with Arizona elected officials. We joined a class action lawsuit to prevent felony charges against people not considered family or caregivers to mail a ballot in Arizona.
Outreach: the board thought that since we did (3) veteran outreach events, that we should help the children in our area. Initially we had planned on paying back lunch debts so children could qualify for free lunch. This was no longer needed. However, they did have school supply needs we could help with. The Chapter provided computer mice, headphones, cold cups and gym equipment. Our biggest surprise was the need for cloths for children.our donation coordinator went to work and found a full pick-up truck to help out the school. Over three elementary schools were helped out.
Membership and benefits: added 35 new members and 17 members passed during the year; assisted Veterans in obtaining an aggregate of approximately $6,501,244 in cash benefits.
Sports were not as prolific as last year. We supported multiple novices to go to the games in seattle. Most of the time, the Chapter supported events put on by the day on the lake and different events held by southern Arizona adaptive sports. Bicycling events and off-road travel were amazing as always. We are looking for more member participation for this next year.
Hospital and services: establish and maintain working relationships with va (veteran affairs) medical centers, private hospitals and rehabilitation centers to facilitate the re-entry of spinal cord injured or neurologically impaired persons and their families into society through personal contact, technical assistance, and education. We are presently working with the directors of all three hospitals. The sci clinics have been restaffed multiple times at the tuscon and prescott hospitals. The phoenix hospital clinic now has (2) social workers and currently 280 sci/scd patients.