VFW Day of Service FAQ

National's Community Activities and Citizenship Education Chairman's Manual 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: How a Post interacts with its community determines the relevancy of the VFW. Someone once said, "People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The VFW and its Auxiliary’s ability to impact veterans, youth, political issues, patriotism, civic pride, volunteerism, and almost anything you can name, is directly dependent upon the Post being recognized as a caring and involved participant in the community. Hopefully, this guide will provide some ideas as to how a Post can create and grow the kind of reputation that will benefit their community and themselves. The impact on the community is immeasurable. The benefit to the Post is new members, more effective fundraising, greater participation in events and tremendous goodwill. The Post is, for most Americans, the only thing they know about the VFW. Make sure those Americans in your community have a favorable opinion of our great organization and our veterans.

CRITERIA:  Outstanding Posts should be able to demonstrate high positive visibility in the community reflecting efforts that include but are not limited to hosting and or participating in civic and patriotic events, active involvement with local military units as well as effective involvement in the schools with our scholarship programs, teacher awards and Veterans in the Classroom.  Active membership recruitment and an effective Buddy Poppy Program should also be considered.

HOW TO SUBMIT: Post shall submit their community service through the Department online reporting system.

POST SPECIAL PROJECT AWARD: If your Post or District conducted a special project that you think should be nationally recognized by the VFW National Organization, we would like to hear from you. To be considered your entry must include the following:

·         Copy of the minutes of the VFW meeting at which the project was authorized.

·         Signed statement from the Commander summarizing the impact of the project.

·         Photos (limit of twenty) of the activity.

·         Newspaper clippings featuring the project.

·         Letters of congratulation/recognition from civic and local leaders.

·         Copy of the project budget/expense sheet.

·         Narrative telling how the project was planned and executed and its impact on the community.

·          Entry form signed by the Department Community Service Chairman and the Department Adjutant.

Judging is conducted solely on the basis of the information indicated above. Points are awarded for each element and will be deducted for missing items. All documentation must be limited to one binder. Entries must be postmarked by April 30. Projects must be executed and nominated within the 12 months preceding national judging. All entries receive a Community Service Citation. Noteworthy entries receive a Merit Award Plaque. Exceptional entries receive an Award of Excellence. All recipients of the Award of Excellence are automatically entered in the Fred C. Hall Memorial Outstanding Post Special Project Award competition.

These qualified Posts that have earned the Award of Excellence will then compete for the Fred C. Hall Award and could earn an additional $1,000 and attendance at National Convention.

DEADLINES: The following deadlines shall be adhered to:

o   April 1, 2025 – Post Special Project & Fred C. Hall Award submissions to Department

o   April 30, 2025 – Post Special Project & Fred C. Hall Award submissions to National

o   April 30, 2025 – National Outstanding Community Service Post submissions to National

ALL-AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS:  One report each quarter, must participate in VFW Day of Service and do a report. 

ALL-STATE REQUIREMENTS:  Post must submit two Community Service and two Veteran Assistance reports every 6 months, in categories without a separate requirement, i.e., Teacher Award, Buddy Poppy, Public Servant, etc.

AWARDS:  

·         Citizenship

o   1^stPlace Post and District will be awarded a plaque.

o   2^ndand 3^rd Place Posts and Districts will be awarded a certificate.

·         Community Service

o   1^stPlace Post and District will be awarded a plaque.

o   2^ndand 3^rd Place Posts and Districts will be awarded a certificate.