Help Heal Veteran’s Names Sons of AMVETS as partner of the year for 2016

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Heal Vets

By Raychel Harvey-Jones

Sons of AMVETS in Ohio is named as Heal Help Veteran’s (Heal Vets) as it’s partner of the year. Daniel Briggs National sons of AMVETS Commander says nothing is more gratifying than working with Sons of AMVETS and helping America’s vets.

“My father was a veteran, and he got me involved with AMVETS. He did a lot of volunteering, and I wanted to carry on his work,” says Briggs.
Sons of AMVETS is a national group made up of male descendants of American veterans. As volunteers, they help to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. Their work ranges from appealing to America’s lawmakers and helping with the day-to-day care of veterans.
Briggs and his team of volunteers played a prominent role in the distributed of more than 6,000 therapeutic craft kits to veterans on behalf of Heal Vets.
“I first joined AMVETS in OHIO as just a member, then moved up to the first vice of chair of memberships of the local squadron before moving up tot the National level and being a part of the Veteran Affairs Voluntary Services. Volunteers are crucial to nonprofits throughout America. Whether actively giving their time formally or occasionally being part of a volunteering group,” says Briggs
Heal Vets provides free therapeutic craft kits to veterans to help them improve their motor skills, improve their self-esteem and try to create as healthy a living environment as possible, following for many traumatic events serving their country. HHV aims to reach as many veterans and possible and offer them craft therapy.
“These kits are so important because they provide a therapy outlet for veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, anxiety and other ailments. With prescription drug use on the rise having alternative outlets for stress and calming relief,” says CEO of Heal VetsJoe McClain.
“Partnerships with groups like the Sons of AMVETS, the Elks and Vietnam Veterans of America and others are invaluable. Volunteers like Daniel enable our therapeutic Art and Craft Kits to make it around the U.S.” Adds McClain.
McClain says, “They provide a conduit to veterans we might otherwise meet. That is the key to our partnerships; Heal Vets provides programming in a box, and the support groups like Sons of AMVETS provide manpower on the ground, and together we help veterans, last year alone we helped over 6,000 veterans, which exceeded our goal.”
Briggs says, “I can see how happy these veterans are to be involved with putting together these craft kits. These men are amazing and inspiring. Recently a veteran who was blind showed me how to make some moccasins, I had my sight and was amazed how he could do it with no sight at all. They are brave men who achieved so much; these kits help them continue to achieve great things.”
“We have an overwhelming demand, so much that we can’t always fill orders immediately. We get notes daily from veterans and their families on the impact of our kits on their lives. Sons of AMVETS also donated over $28,000 for a literary study on Therapy and Arts and to offset mailing of kits.” Adds McCain.
Briggs says, “I was very very happy not just for me but for the Sons of AMVETS who work tirelessly to get these kits to veterans. Sons of AMVETS is a very worthy recipient of this award.”