Golf at Moffett Field

Another day of golf at the Moffett Field Golf Course for veterans from the Palo Alto VA Health Care System. This event is hosted by the Northern California Golf Association and United Veterans Services.

UVS Founder Inducted Into San Mateo Sports HOF

Helen Lengfeld, founder of United Veterans Services, was inducted into the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame on June 23, 2022.

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The Return of UVS Swing Club

One of Northern California’s greatest golf programs is back after a two-year absence due to COVID-19.

On May 25, the United Veterans Services (formerly the United Volunteer Services) Swing Club held its first event since the pandemic outbreak.

The UVS Swing Club was orginally founded by NCGA Hall of Famer Helen Lengfeld after World War II as a golf rehabilitation program for returning veterans. Since then, the members and member clubs of the Pacific Women's Golf Association (PWGA)--with support from the NCGA--have continued to support the program through the Menlo Park VA with donations and volunteers.

As for how it all works, the UVS Swing Club brings veterans from the Palo Alto/Menlo Park VA to play golf as part of their rehabilitation therapy.  Veterans play either a 9-hole round on the shortened course or participate in a putting contest.  Each veteran is paired with a volunteer golfer who plays the round with them.  After golf there is an opportunity to come together for lunch and to socialize.

Julia Gonzalez (pictured, middle above with Leslie Buchman and Jane Sullwood)

Julie Gonzalez (a retired USAR Master Sergeant herself) has been the program Liaison since 2014.  As part of its return, the program honored Gonzalez as she retired from the post.  During her years at the helm, Gonzalez has hosted approximately 36 events, over 1500 Veterans and almost as many volunteers.  The program requires dedication, a great attitude, a steadfast work ethic and a good sense of humor, all of which Gonzalez has in spades. 

She works with the VA and the Golf Course to coordinate each event, marks the course, creates the scorecards, communicates with volunteers, manages supplies, manages volunteers and most of all she is the friendly face meeting and greeting each golfer on the day and ensuring that the event is an enjoyable experience for all. 

A presentation was made to Gonzalez at the May 25 event by Jane Sullwold, PWGA Sub Committee Chair, with comments from Frank Scheifler, the UVS representative for Palo Alto.  The Veterans and the volunteers are all so grateful to Gonzalez for her outstanding commitment to both the program and the veterans who have benefited from their golf experience. 

While we bid a fond farewell to Gonzalez, the program will continue. We are happy to announce that long time NCGA volunteer Tom Yuschak has stepped forward to help coordinate the program and has begun training to step into Julie's shoes. 

VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee Meeting

VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee leadership convened in Denver, CO last week for their 76th Advisory Committee meeting. Mary Morgan, Elks, Chair, Joe Dooley, United Veterans Services, Vice Chair and Dr. Sabrina Clark, Director, VA Voluntary Service Center for Development & Cicic Engagement met with more than 40 service organizations for this three day conference. The National Advisory Committee sent 5 recommendations designed to enhance and improve the VAVS/CDCE program to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for his formal review and advisement.

UVS Donates to Parke Fund

United Veterans Services VA Voluntary Services National Representative Joe Dooley presents a check for $250 to JP Brown, James Parke Memorial Student Scholarship Board Member at the 76th annual VA Voluntary National Advisory Committee Meeting today. UVS had been a consistent supporter of the Parke Fund. Student volunteer Emma Gardner of Fayetteville, AK received a $20,000 scholarship recognizing her VA volunteer service.

UVS Board of Directors Meeting + Hillsborough Antiques, Art & Design Show

United Veterans Services held their Annual Board of Directors Meeting on April 23rd. The twice-a-year UVS fundraiser, the Hillsborough Antiques + Art + Design Show was held the same weekend. At the end of the show, we held our 50/50 split raffle. The winner was Jonathan Roberts from Chicago, Illinois.

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UVS Volunteer Receives Call from Secretary of Veterans Affairs

UVS Volunteer, Joe Dooley on the phone with Denis McDonough, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

On Tuesday April 19, United Veterans Services volunteer, Joe Dooley, received a telephone call from Denis McDonough, current Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The purpose of the call, made during national volunteer week, was to thank him for volunteering at the Manchester, NH VA hospital. Joe was truly humbled and deeply appreciative that Secretary McDonough would take the time out of his busy day to acknowledge one of his VA volunteers.

Motorcycle Club Donates to UVS

Every year the Bay Area Chapter of the Violators Motorcycle Club makes a donation to United Veterans Services. Their wish is to help veterans. 100% of their donation is used to assist veterans in VA Medical Centers. We are so grateful for their generosity.

L to R: William Crouse, Violators MC Treasurer; Leslie Buchman, UVS President and Robert Tabaldo, Violators MC Secretary.

UVS at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games

United Veterans National VAVS Representative Joe Dooley is flanked by VA New York Harbor VAVS Chief Yvette Cintron and VA Central Office Specialist Ginny Hoover as they work to register volunteers for the 40th VA National Wheelchair Games in New York City. UVS has provided volunteers and stipends for participating Veterans at the wheelchair games now and in the past.

UVS volunteers Linda Gaetano and Joe Dooley served as volunteers at the VA National Wheelchair Games. They supported the “Boccia” event, which is a specially adapted version of Bocce that enables Veterans in wheelchairs to participate.

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UVS Helps Livermore Vaccine Clinic

United Veterans Services helped to support a mass COVID-19 vaccine clinic for veterans in Livermore, California. Many thanks to the wonderful staff of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System who volunteered to work overtime to help veterans.

UVS Responds to Call for Food Kits for Veterans in Need

As COVID-19 has affected all residents across the Bay Area and Northern California, the virus has ushered in special challenges for hundreds of disabled Veterans, specifically those who are at risk of not receiving the daily nutrition and other necessities they need to remain healthy.  Delivering nutrition and essentials to these Veterans is a growing priority for the San Francisco VA Health Care System.  Sometimes Veterans do not have loved ones or caregivers nearby.  Others live in remote areas or in special circumstances.  Some of these Veterans have disabilities which require that they receive their VA care almost entirely at home.  Many, but not all, are senior citizens.  Others have immune system deficiencies, for whom shopping poses unacceptable exposure risk to COVID-19.  Still other Veterans become quarantined or self-quarantined by public health order and cannot legally shop for themselves.  For example, homeless Veterans quarantined by the State in hotels are high-priority candidates for nutritional assistance.  

The San Francisco VA Health Care System started a program to deliver low-cost kits comprised of two-weeks of essential, non-perishable food to Veterans who nutrition is threatened by their disabilities, their distance from loved ones or VA Care providers, or by the circumstances of local or regional COVID-19 precautions.  

United Veterans Services responded to their call for donations to support this program.

The pictures show the San Francisco VA Staff with the food kits which they are giving to drivers who then deliver the items to veterans in need.

UVS Donates to Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

The veterans at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center are often in need of clothing, toiletry items, coats and food to survive.  The Medical Center provides those needs through donations to their Food Pantry and Clothing Rooms. 

United Veterans Services Representative, Jo-Ann O’Clair, requested and received a $500 donation from UVS to the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center to help supply their food pantry, clothing, toiletry and coat rooms.

If you are interested in helping, click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation today to help us continue supporting our Veterans.

UVS Volunteer Erma Harris Receives 10,000 Hour Award

United Veterans Service volunteer, Erma Harris, achieved a very special honor from the Richmond, Virginia VA Medical Center: a silver bowl for 10,000 hours of dedicated volunteer service. The Chief, Voluntary Service, Kristy Coie-Day, presented it to Erma at her home. Said Kristy of Erma “Without her positive impact and dedication to voluntary and the patients here at McGuire we would not be able to provide the exceptional service we do.  She is truly a gem and we are lucky to have her!”

United Veterans Services Honors Our Veterans

UVS Donates Robotic Cats

A couple years ago, it was brought to the attention of UVS volunteer Marty Naugher, that the Tuscaloosa VA geriatric unit needed something for the Veteran patients to occupy and entertain them. The head of the department had discovered robotic cats (Joy for All Companion Cats), so Marty and UVS decided to try them out. They were a huge hit! UVS has now donated robotic cats several times. Please enjoy this little video about it.

Help UVS continue projects like this and others by making a tax-deductible donation today. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we have had to cancel all of our in-person fundraising events this year. More than ever, we are relying on the donations from individuals like you to help us continue our important work for Veterans. Donate today at www.unitedveteransservices.org/donate

Veteran's Day Donation

Thank You Violators Motorcycle Club!

The Bay Area Chapter of the Violators Motorcycle Club once again made a generous donation to United Veterans Services. This donation will be used to support veteran activities and programs at VA Medical Centers and Clinics.

This amazing organization continues to support veterans. As in past years, they will be leading the San Francisco Veterans Day Parade.

Pictured left to right: Dennis Gilchrist, President, VMC; Leslie Buchman, President, UVS and Bobby Tabaldo, Vice President, VMC.

Photos from VA Meeting

UVS board member Joe Dooley and Sabrina Clark (both standing) with VFW reps Jim Moss and Sandra Kreidel

UVS Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Barrel Oak Winery

United Veterans Services ( UVS) held their second fundraiser at Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, VA on September 14, 2019. Since 1941, UVS has been raising funds to support veterans receiving care at VA Medical Centers throughout the country. Including activities such as pet therapy, farmer's markets, cardiac rehabilitation and many more.

The fundraiser was held at a local winery in Delaplane, VA, about 45 miles from our Nation's Capital, a scenic venue. The local representatives had chair massages and wheel of fortune prizes.

Many thanks to the people who took part in the event and for the volunteers who worked before and during the event. Great Job!

Erma Harris at the Memorial Flag Display

Erma Harris, National UVS Deputy VAVS Representative and National UVS Board of Directors Member is shown with the Memorial Flag Display at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia.

UVS at a Veterans Free Farmer's Market

The Manchester VAMC recently held a Veteran’s Free Farmer’s Market. United Veterans Services provided over $1000 in sponsorship for the event. Despite limited cooperation from Mother Nature, UVS volunteers Linda Gaetano and Joe dooley insured fresh nectarines, bananas, native corn and other healthy produce items were provided for New Hampshire’s Vererans!