San Francisco VA Health Care System

Congresswomen Jackie Speier handing out Valentine’s cards while visiting Veterans throughout the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

This week marks the 40^th annual observance of VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients, an opportunity to pay tribute to America’s heroes – our Veterans we proudly care for and serve. The San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) serves more than 40,000 Veterans. Each year during the week of February 14, SFVAHCS Voluntary Service partners with Veterans groups, civic organizations, nonprofits and schools from around the Bay Area to express their appreciation to Veterans for their service and sacrifice.

This year, Voluntary Service partnered with Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s Office, AMVETS, American Red Cross, Telemate and schools from around the Bay Area to collect Valentine’s cards, flowers and gift bags. “Voluntary Service partners with community organizations for our gift distribution around the Medical Center—the National Salute Parade,” said Chief of Voluntary Service Owetdia Dupree. “Volunteers wear red aprons and distribute red and pink gift bags, filled with thousands of handmade Valentines cards from students, to Veterans at our Community Living Center and throughout the Medical Center.” The National Salute Parade is filled with joy, passion and heartfelt thank-you’s while met with glowing smiles from receiving Veterans.

Congresswomen Jackie Speier, along with members from her staff, also partnered with local schools to have students create handmade Valentine’s Day cards. She personally handed out the Valentine’s cards while visiting Veterans throughout the San Francisco VA Medical Center. “The cards are invaluable to each Veteran because of the creative effort and personalized messages that honors Veterans for their military service,” said Assistant Chief Voluntary Service Jim McDermott. Additionally, volunteers from the American Red Cross collaborated with local schools to raise funds for flowers which were handed out during the week as a way of saying thank you to our Veterans.

SFVAHCS would like to thank our Bay Area students, volunteers, community partners, and civic organizations for the thousands of handmade Valentine’s cards, gift bags, flowers and heartfelt thank-you’s throughout the week.

This annual event also provides an opportunity for the community to become acquainted with volunteer opportunities at SFVAHCS. To find out more about how you can volunteer, contact our Voluntary Service Department at (415) 750-2144.