Join SVA for the National Day of Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 10, 2021) – Student Veterans of America (SVA) has partnered with the Presidential Inaugural Committee to offer a service opportunity on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for student veterans, military-affiliated students, and allies around the country. Celebrate the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s drive to serve local communities with us!
Virtual Opportunity: Connect with veterans currently in a local Veterans Care Center or Care Home
Often, feelings of isolation caused by COVID-19 are amplified by those in long-term care facilities. We’re asking SVA Chapters to organize to create cards and letters for our sisters- and brothers-in-arms who are currently residing in a local Veterans Care Center or Care Home.
How to Participate:
Chapter Leaders should sign up and encourage Chapter Members to sign up on Mobilize America by selecting this event hosted by Student Veterans of America called “Student Veterans Day of Service.” Your Chapter may do this from their own homes or as a group. Families are welcome to participate!
Write the card or letter:
- Take a few minutes, sit down, and write a letter to an elder. Tell them about yourself, your school, your service.
- Letters should be legible (large print) and handwritten.
- Avoid politics and religion, please. Your letter should resonate with anyone.
- Don’t focus on world events—make this message personal from you to the recipient.
- Be as creative as possible! Include photos, a crossword, whatever you’d like! Have your child include a drawing or joke.
- Send as many cards as you’d like!
Find a local Veterans Care Center or Home:
- For a list of homes by state, click here
- If you’d like to deliver or mail your cards or letters to a home closer to your community, it may take a quick Google search.
- Search for Veterans Care Centers or Homes in your state and navigate the results to find the address of one closest to you or most meaningful for you.
Send your letters! Make sure your envelopes are addressed and stamped and send them on their way! But don’t forget to share photos and tag @studentveterans, #WeAreSVA, and #DayOfService.
COVID-19 Precautions:
We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of the pandemic and eliminate the virus as quickly as possible. Group events should ensure proper safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to include:
- Masks are required for all participants at all times, including while participating in outdoor activities.
- Refrain from eating or drinking as much as possible. When you do, please ensure that everyone is at least 15 feet away from anyone else.
- Participants must maintain six (6) to ten (10) feet of separation from other people at all times.
- Participants should wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom or touching high touch surfaces. When washing hands is not possible use hand sanitizer. Event hosts should provide hand sanitizer to participants to use.
- Clean and disinfect regularly during the event.
- If handling food, follow the CDCs steps for food safety carefully.
- All attendees should be asked the COVID-19 symptoms questionnaire and answer no to all questions before participating.
About Student Veterans of America
With a focused mission on empowering student veterans, Student Veterans of America® (SVA) is committed to providing an educational experience that goes beyond the classroom. Through a dedicated network of nearly 1,600 on-campus chapters in all 50 states and 4 countries representing more than 750,000 student veterans, SVA aims to inspire yesterday’s warriors by connecting student veterans with a community of like-minded chapter leaders. Every day these passionate leaders work to provide the necessary resources, network support, and advocacy to ensure student veterans can effectively connect, expand their skills, and ultimately achieve their greatest potential. For more information, visit us at www.studentveterans.org.