Knights of Columbus
First New Jersey District
Veterans' Programs
Subject: LYONS VA VISIT
Brothers,
I am informed by Voluntary Services at Lyons that the Quarantine has been
lifted and you can continue your visitations. No doubt, the Veterans will
be more than happy to see you again.
Fraternally
Ed Shellman
Veteran's Program Electronic Reporting Form
Mission The fourth principal of our order is the basis for the work of the Fourth Degree. As the Patriotic Arm of the Knights of Columbus we take pride in our show of support for our Church, our Country our Flag and the men and woman who serve and have served to keep us free. It is our duty to take the lead in supporting our Veterans especially those in the Veterans Nursing Facilities in the State of New Jersey.We are currently creating content for this section. In order to be able to keep up with our high standards of service, we need a little more time. Please stop by again. Thank you for your interest!
Purpose
The purpose of this program is to manage that part of our mission that deals specifically with the Veterans in the Nursing Homes in the State of New Jersey. Our program will tend to the physical, mental and spiritual well being of the Veterans at Lyons, East Orange and Paramus Veterans home. Specifically this will be done through:
o Physical / Mental Needs:
o Work with the Voluntary Services in the hospital to develop a needs list for the facility [clothing, healthcare items, Music, Electronic entertainment, etc...]
o Continue to support the “Robe a Vet” and “Sweats for Vets” programs.
o Sponsor picnics, ballgames and other off premises activities.
o Sponsor recreation activities such as bingo nights, movies and music.
o Seek out volunteers in the order to visit the Veterans. It is a simple act of mercy.
o Take the Veteran to/from appointments on campus.
o Spiritual Needs:
o Purchase or secure donations for rosaries and large print bibles.
o Visit the home and take the Veterans to mass at the facility. Most of them have a chaplain come in periodically. It is good for the Veteran and the Knight.
Program Structure
In order to insure the mission and purpose there is a need to form a support system to facilitate the objectives of the District. The committee members would serve at the pleasure of the Master of the First New Jersey District. The program would be organized to include a program director and 1 hospital chairman and 1 deputy for each hospital supported by the district. Each hospital committee would be comprised of approximately 9 Assemblies within a reasonable commute to the facility. Their duties and responsibilities would include but not limited to:
Reports directly to the master.
Monitor VAVS activity for the Federal facilities.
Coordinate the efforts of the hospital chairman.
Coordinate needs assessment with the existing veteran minded programs.
Coordinated any other Veteran activities as directed by the Master or his authorized representative.
Coordinate collection / delivery of business and personal donations.
Work with chairman to secure a consensus when we are fortunate enough to receive large individual donations.
Maintain Veteran Census as best as possible.Maintain an Inventory of donations and distribution.
Provide quarterly reports to the Master on the progress of the programs.
Working with the Volunteer Services organization at the facility, gather a needs list and determine their priorities.
Communicate the needs of the hospital to the Assemblies in the committees.
Workings with the Assemblies develop plans to reasonably meet the needs of the facility.
Assemblies should seek support from the affiliated councils in all efforts and drives.
Enlist regular volunteers for the facility.
Encourage support of fund raisers for the program.
Notes:We can have periodic donations that can be collected at Masters meetings. For example: there is always a need for undergarments [both men and woman] and socks all year round. We can ask the FN and AC’s to seek donations of new items which are generally on sale and bring them to the meeting for collection and distribution.It is not unheard of for an individual to secure a large donation for the Veterans. Obviously, the wishes of the donator would be followed. If that were not the case we would hope to share that donation across all hospitals, however, the ultimate decision of the Brother Knight receiving the donation should be honored.
Veteran’s Care Program
Overview
§ What is it?
o Purpose of the program is to coordinate and initiate Veteran Care programs within the First NJ District. Assist the Master in all Veteran affairs.
§ Why do it?
o As the patriotic arm of the Knights of Columbus it is our obligation.
o The Supreme Master leads the way by establishing Sir Knights as members of the Veterans Administration Voluntary Services advisory board in each federally operated Veterans Hospital.
o Supreme requires monthly reporting of Veteran Activities. This will assist the Master in:
§ Centralizing the identification and communicating of needs of the Veteran’s facilities.
§ Centralizing the distribution as needed.
§ Centralize the reporting.
§ How will we do it?
o Establish teams in the First NJ District to care for specific Veterans Homes. These facilities are Lyons, Paramus and East Orange. NOTE: Although not specifically mentioned, we would provide assistance to Menlo Park and Vineland’s as well.
o Each team will consist of assemblies within a reasonable commute of the facility.
o Teams will organize programs to:
§ Assist the chaplain’s office by getting the Veterans to mass and performing other tasks as needed.
§ Assist voluntary services.
§ Maintain a “wish list” for the facility.
§ Hold fund raisers.
§ Communicate awareness to the public.
o Teams will report activity to the program director on a monthly basis.
§ All reports will be centralized and reported to the Master and Supreme.
§ Quarterly reports will be provided to all assemblies of the district.
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