The origins of today’s VFW
National Home for Children can be traced to a 23-year-old woman named Amy Ross.
In 1922, Ross made it her mission to help find jobs for the thousands of
unemployed veterans in Detroit.
THE BEGINNING
News of Ross’ efforts
reached millionaire cattleman Corey Spencer, who gifted 472 acres of land near
Eaton Rapids, Michigan, to build on Ross’ vision of supporting veterans.
On Jan. 7, 1925, the VFW
National Home was founded, helping to fulfill the VFW pledge to "honor the
dead by helping the living.” Later that spring, the Home welcomed its first
family in an old frame farmhouse, Mrs. Pollett and her six children. Pollett
had become suddenly widowed and lost her husband’s military pension.
THROUGH
THE YEARS
Since its founding, the VFW
National Home for Children has grown from an old frame farmhouse to a sprawling
campus with playgrounds; park areas; and multiple buildings, including
single-family homes, a community center and gymnasium, childcare facility,
guest lodge, chapel, and administrative offices.
Over the years, the
National Home has evolved to meet the changing needs of America’s military and
veterans’ families. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the
National Home’s commitment to honor our nation’s veterans and active-duty
military by providing help and hope for their children and families.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
THE VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN visit http://www.vfwnationalhome.org or
call 800-424-8360.
To reach the Military and Veteran Helpline, call
800-313-4200 or e-mail help@vfwnationalhome.org.
HOW TO REPORT.
Submit online at www.VFWCA.org>Members
Only>Program Reporting>Veterans Assistance>National Home. Identify how much and which funds the donation was given to.
APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO THE NATIONAL
HOME
Application for admission must be made through
the local VFW Post. National Home Referral of Children (Form-20)
FUNDS TO OPERATE THE NATIONAL HOME
Please keep in mind that the Home is a totally
private agency with no outside support. It derives its support solely from the
membership of the VFW Post, Auxiliaries and the Military Order of the Cooties.
Below are the four (4) primary sources of contributions that provide for the
operation of the National Home:
1.The donations for National Home Seals (nearly
50% of the budget).
2.The donations for Buddy Poppies (one cent from
each poppy).
3.Donations for National Home Life Memberships
and Associate Life Memberships.
4.Bequests from wills and gifts.
Money received from Life Memberships and gifts
are placed in an Endowment Fund and only the interest is used to run the Home.
Any active VFW or Auxiliary member, or any unit
from those organizations can become an active (voting) member of the
corporation by purchasing a "LIFE MEMBERSHIP" in the VFW National
Home for $50.00. Life Memberships may also be given as gifts or purchased in the
name of a Post, Auxiliary or individual. These associate memberships may
likewise be purchased by or for organizations and people of good character;
however, associate members do not have National Home voting privileges.
Each National Home Life
Member, whether active or associate, receives a pocket card and a certificate
attesting inclusion on the VFW National Home Life Membership Rolls. The pocket
cards and certificates may change periodically and they can be replaced or
updated for a small
Join the VFW National Home for Children family! Become a Life Member or an Associate Life Member and create a lasting bond between yourself and the mission of the National Home.