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 

 

 

BECOME A LIFE MEMBER