VFW's Day of Service a Way for Veterans to Give Back to Local Communities

For many veterans, leaving the military means giving up the ability to give back to a cause greater than themselves.  

However, through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), veterans have discovered a new way to step up for their communities. 

On Saturday, May 2, VFW will host its fifth annual Day of Service, a program that encourages veterans to lead local service projects. An initiative that began with humble roots, with about 200 events during its inaugural year, has ballooned to more than 2,300 projects in 2025, with more expected in 2026. 

Some veterans have used the Day of Service to mobilize city-wide projects, bringing together other veterans and civilians to improve their communities. The projects will begin on May 2 and continue throughout the month. 

“For the past four years, thousands of VFW members and veterans around the world have joined together through VFW Day of Service to continue a legacy of service beyond the uniform,” said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore in a press release. “Their dedication to strengthening communities, helping neighbors and bringing people together, reflects the very best of who we are. We are proud to see Day of Service 2026 build on that momentum and create an even greater impact in communities around the world.”

The catalyst for Day of Service began in 2022 as an expansion of VFW’s Still Serving campaign that promotes veterans’ desire to contribute to their community years after their military time has ended. Sponsors for this year’s event include, Humana, USAA, CenterWell and loanDepot.  

“It became clear early on in the campaign that while community service efforts continue year-round, veterans wanted to unite in one mission-driven initiative to amplify their collective impact and share in some camaraderie and fun while doing so,” Randi Law, senior director for marketing communications at VFW, told Military.com. 

Results from a recent survey showed that veterans are more willing to commit to volunteer opportunities than civilians. This year’s Day of Service provides another chance for veterans to chip in. They can register their event or project or discover a local program to contribute to through VFWDayofService.org.

‘In Their Blood’ 

According to Law, about 50,000 VFW and auxiliary members, veterans and supporters participated in last year’s Day of Service and Law believes more will join the cause this year. 

Law said veterans’ innate desire to serve others leads them to take part in the Day of Service. 

“It’s in their blood. And oftentimes, they miss having a clear mission and sense of duty after military separation,” Law said. “Day of Service, and community service more broadly, recreates purpose, offering a familiar, meaningful way to unite in service. Veterans carry proven leadership, discipline, crisis response experience, and a strong sense of teamwork. These capabilities can be in short supply in civilian settings. When veterans engage, they help strengthen community resilience, bridge relationships and improve readiness for challenges.” 

Since the event began in 2022, Law has heard from veterans and the programs they contribute to, saying they enjoy the camaraderie of working together for a good cause. 

“They accomplish something meaningful while successfully demonstrating veterans’ continued commitment to service,” Law said. “We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the organizations we serve, with many expressing deep gratitude for the support. In several cases, the response has even been emotional, highlighting just how meaningful and impactful our network’s assistance has been in their communities.” 

Army Veteran Gives Back 

For Randy Hansen, an Army veteran from De Pere, Wisconsin, joining Day of Service was simply a continuation of the dedicated work he’s accomplished with local VFW Post 2113 for more than 50 years.   

Either way, Hansen isn’t afraid to recruit veterans across Northeast Wisconsin to contribute. 

“VFW Day of Service and community service projects may be team projects involving our entire VFW Post 2113 membership and the membership of our Post Auxiliary and members of the community, or simple individual projects helping your neighbor,” Hansen told Military.com. 

Hansen has been involved with Day of Service since its inception in 2022. Having served for 25 years in the Army, retiring as a chief warrant officer, Hansen knew what it was like to be stationed overseas for long periods, depending on the kindness of friends and family back home to make him feel a little less homesick. 

“So, it was a natural extension of that support that drove me to pay back all those who supported us over the years by doing community service projects,” Hansen said. “One of the key statements I like is, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ For military service members, that statement evolved into, ‘It takes a village to provide strong support for servicemembers whether deployed overseas or deployed on a training exercise.’” 

Through the past few years, De Pere’s Post 2113 has completed several Day of Service projects Hansen is proud of, including creating a new veterans monument in City of De Pere Park honoring all service branches and the organizations that support them. 

“But the community service project that I’m most proud of is the one that has occurred every year for the past 50-plus years. This is a very proud and touching community service. The City of De Pere has five cemeteries that serve the community. Fifty years ago, our VFW Post 2113 created a central headstone at each of those cemeteries that honors all the deceased veterans residing in each cemetery,” Hansen said. “Each year in May, we spend about five days performing beautification projects (planting flowers, placing U.S. stick flags, etc.) in the days prior to, then performing a full military funeral honors program at each of those central headstone markers of those five cemeteries on Memorial Day as a way to honor all the veterans who have gone before us.” 

Hansen said there are many ways veterans can serve their communities.

“A VFW Day of Service event could be anything from a large group event to a one-person event. The key is stepping outside your comfort zone and sharing your hobbies and other passions with those who truly need to have their spirit uplifted,” Hansen said. “VFW Posts in your community are a great way to start your own path into community service. Simply reach out, see what they are doing, and join in. Due to the Congressional Charter that created the VFW, not all veterans are eligible to join the VFW, but all veterans are welcomed with open arms by the VFW to join in our community service projects.”