A $50,000 grant from The American Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) program is helping to supply new baby welcome kits to women veterans at 58 VA medical centers across the country. The baby kits are part of the Department of Veterans Affairs first-ever nationwide baby shower events.
More than 2,400 new veteran parents and parents-to-be who receive their care through the VA registered for a baby welcome kit, which includes a diaper bag, toiletries, hair brush and comb set, layette, blanket and hat. Priced at $50 apiece, the VA was nationally short 1,000 of the baby wellness bags and the Legion’s OCW grant is fulfilling that need.
“The American Legion strongly supports women veterans, and we also support their families,” National Commander Denise H. Rohan said. “We applaud VA’s outreach to these new mothers and we believe this is a worthy use of Operation Comfort Warriors donations. Not only do veterans sacrifice for our nation, but the children of these veterans do so as well. The American Legion Family needs to support these families. And this grant is just another meaningful way for us to show our gratitude.”
The baby kits will be distributed to the women veterans during baby shower events that are being hosted at the 58 VA medical centers across the country between May 5-16, the weeks leading up to and surrounding Mother’s Day.
Rohan will present the OCW grant to Dr. Brian Hancock, director of the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, on May 9 at National Headquarters during the National Executive Committee's Spring Meetings. Hancock will accept the grant on behalf of the VA nationally.
For more information about the VA's nationwide baby shower event and for locations of where they will be held, visit here.
