As part of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, the week of Feb. 14, donations were made and events took place at Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in celebration of the veterans who are cared for at the Coatesville campus and the outpatient clinics in Newtown Square and West Norriton. National Salute to Veteran Patients Week provides an opportunity for veterans' groups, civic organizations, businesses, schools, and individuals to express their appreciation by volunteering, donating, and sponsoring activities for resident and inpatient veterans.

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania's 6th District stopped by to speak to a group of veterans and to hand out a few of the valentines she had collected. Bookwell Travel funded and coordinated a donation of 750 winter jackets to Coatesville VAMC, and additional coat donations were made to the VA medical centers in Philadelphia and Wilmington. Veteran service organizations sponsored two special meal deliveries on Tuesday and Friday for veterans currently receiving care at Coatesville VAMC.

In addition to donations and as a complement to in-person volunteer assignments, the VA also provides volunteers with virtual and remote assignments such as the Compassionate Contact Corps, which has allowed volunteers to safely stay in contact with homebound veterans during the pandemic.

To learn about opportunities to donate or volunteer throughout the year, contact Coatesville VAMC's volunteer coordinator, Gina Cybator, at 610-384-7711, ext. 4900, or gina.cybator@va.gov.