Frequently asked Questions
What is the VFW Day of Service?
The VFW Day of Service is a day set aside for veteran-led local community service events and marks the beginning of a month of volunteer projects and acts of service led by veterans, VFW members and community partners. It is an outgrowth of the VFW’s Still Serving initiative, which since 2020 has brought recognition to how much U.S. military veterans continue to serve in their communities after taking off the uniform.
Why VFW Day of Service?
By concentrating veteran-led community service projects on this day, and throughout the month of May, the VFW intends to bring focus to the role veterans play in the well-being of their communities.
When is the VFW Day of Service?
VFW Day of Service is held on the first Saturday in May. In 2027, Day of Service takes place on May 1 and begins a month of veteran-led community service projects.
Can a VFW Day of Service event take place on any day in May?
Much as Veterans Day commemorations take place throughout the month of November, VFW Day of Service begins on the first Saturday in May — May 1 in 2027 — and kicks off a full month of veteran-led community service projects that make a difference.
Why isn’t the VFW Day of Service on Veterans Day?
VFW Day of Service is a new initiative with a unique focus on veteran-led community service. The choice of a Saturday, and the time of year, offers a greater opportunity for involvement of the whole family, other organizations and members of the community.
Who can participate in the VFW Day of Service?
Anyone. If you are not a VFW member or veteran, we can help connect you with a participating VFW Post. The more we work together, the greater the benefit to our local community.
Do you have to sign up for the VFW Day of Service?
The VFW does ask that VFW members, all veterans and others visit VFWDayofService.org to register their event and/or find a local event to join and see what veterans around the country are doing to make a difference.
Does our Post get credit for Day of Service, and if so, how?
When the event is submitted, it will flow through to the VFW Programs Dashboard within 24 to 48 hours. After the event concludes, please submit your Community Service Report through the Programs Dashboard. Completing a Day of Service event in the month of May is a requirement to achieve All American status.
What type of events can be included in the VFW Day of Service?
VFW Day of Service events are community service focused, so whatever Day of Service volunteers identify as a community need and their work to meet it qualifies. The goal is for these events to be in addition to your regular plans, as well as something that fellow veterans can be invited to take part. “Buddy”® Poppy, recruiting and events which raise monetary donations for the VFW do not qualify as a Day of Service event.
Some examples of community services events include:
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- Drives – food, personal hygiene products, diapers
- Home repair
- Highway clean up
- Street / park / cemetery / vacant lot clean up
- Health fairs
- Back pack / snack
- Houseless to home support
- Playground rehab / installation
- Accessibility initiatives
For more information about VFW Day of Service contact info@todaysvfw.org.
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