As part of its community outreach and veteran support programs, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 227, Dean K. Phillips Memorial Chapter of Northern Virginia, donated more than 600 travel-size toiletries to the Lamb Center, a non-profit daytime service center for homeless people in Fairfax County on Nov. 8, 2018. Chapter members have donated the toiletries over the last several months from their travels. In addition, the national office of VVA donated four boxes of toiletry travel pouches. The individual-size personal care items are ideal for the Center’s showers. The chapter has supported the Lamb Center in many ways over the years. Doris Paul, the Center’s Volunteer Manager and a military spouse, accepted the items from Leonard Ignatowski, Chapter Vice President. The Center provides space and time for Veteran Administration staff to assist veterans in applying for their benefits.

The chapter is currently conducting a fundraiser to provide holiday gift cards for needy veterans and their families in Northern Virginia as identified by social service agencies and Veteran Administration staff. Emergency assistance grants are also provided throughout the year. The chapter’s annual cash grants are over $10,000. Donations can be mailed to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 227, P.O. Box 5653, Arlington, Virginia 22205-0653. Checks made payable to VVA Chapter 227 with memo note: Veteran Assistance. Contact Len Ignatowski at 703-255-0353 for any questions. Membership and meeting information is available on the website, vva227.org, and Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/VVA227.