Peggy McGee
Traditionally, Green Valley Chapter, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), members were given gifts from the Chapter at holiday time, an activity that became more labor intensive and expensive over the years. Many members commented that they already had more than enough holiday decorations or other décor than they needed. The board recommended to the members, who wholeheartedly approved the idea, that instead of buying gifts for them, we could donate something to veterans.
We learned that the VA works with blind veterans to get them guide dogs to make their lives easier. The veterans then go through a resident program in which they learn skills necessary to compensate for their loss of vision, with their dog at their side. In the evenings, the veterans return to their apartments with the service dog. Dogs being dogs, they often tried to get into bed with their veteran. It was MOAA to the rescue who shopped for large dog beds with washable covers for the veterans.
In addition to four dog beds, the Chapter purchased a Netflix subscription, which the VA will use to train veterans on how to access a program that describes the scenes, as well as hear the dialogue for TV shows and movies.