A common phrase used at Volunteer Girls State is “To whom much is given, much is expected.” We are asking YOU to join us in celebrating the 77th session of ALA VGS by participating in the eighth annual ALA VGS Week of Service. We are designating the week of November 11-18, 2023 as a week of giving back to our communities.
 

We will be delivering all of the notes written by delegates during VGS 2023 to veterans at the VA hospitals around Tennessee. We also encourage you to organize your own projects to help us commemorate the week.

Wondering how you can be involved in this year’s Week of Service? We’ve included some ideas below! Share your projects on social media using hashtag #ALAVGSWeekofService. You can also email photos to [email protected].

During this ALA VGS Week of Service let your actions be a form of repayment to those who have sacrificed before you!

So, how will you invest… in your school, your community, our nation, and our world?

     

Supporting Veterans and Active Duty Troops


If you are eligible, become a member or junior member of the American Legion Auxiliary at www.alaforveterans.org. You may also contact former ALA VGS Chairwoman Julia Wells via email to help with your membership form. 


Operation Gratitude invites you to write and collect letters to be included in care packages that are sent to troops. For more information about Operation Gratitude’s letter writing campaign, click here.


Help the USO send 2 Million messages of support to troops through their Campaign to Connect


Call your local VA Hospital and see how you can support their work with veterans. (Nashville, Memphis, Murfreesboro, and East Tennessee) .


Collect items to donate to Alpha Omega Veteran’s Services in Memphis. View their current needs here.


Contact your local American Legion Post or ALA unit and see if they collect items for the American Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) program that was created to provide “nonessentials,” or items that help wounded warriors’ recovery.


Ask a family member who is a veteran to share with you about their time of service and thank them for their service. You may want to record this to share with others.


Organize a time for a veteran from your community to talk to your school, club, or church group about their military service. This could happen virtually!


Place flags by veterans’ graves.


Helping Your Community


Collect food for a food pantry or serve a meal at a homeless shelter.


Donate blood.


Organize a book or board game drive for a nursing home or a local school or preschool.


Volunteer at a local animal shelter.


Go to a nursing home and play card or board games with residents.


Rake leaves or offer to do other household chores for elderly neighbors, family with small children, or a military family in your neighborhood.


Clean up a local park or school playground.


Make cards or holiday decorations for residents of local nursing homes.


*American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Girls State is not affiliated with any of the veteran’s organizations listed above, except the American Legion Auxiliary.