The Jewish War Veterans, Department of California engages in a multi-pronged approach to veterans advocacy.
DIRECT INVOLVEMENT
The JWV is committed to assisting our hospitalized veterans. To this end, our local posts conduct regular visits to Veteran Administration hospitals across the entire State. These visits build patient morale with Bingo games, cards, toiletry distribution and good old visiting.
The signature undertaking of the Department of California is the long established “A Gift For A Yank” program. A Gift for a Yank was founded in 1946 by the Jewish War Veterans in partnership with the late great entertainer, Eddie Cantor.
Every Christmas for the past 66 years, members of the Jewish War Veterans go to the VA hospitals and distribute gifts to all hospitalized veterans. Many of these brave veterans who gave so much now have no families and no visitors.
On Christmas Day 2012 the JWV distributed over 14,000 items to our hospitalized veterans.
LEGISLATIVE INVOLVEMENT
The JWV has always been an active participant in the legal process. California is home to nearly 2,000,000 veterans. The JWV is a strong advocate and supporter of legislation that benefits veterans.
The JWV is a founding member of the California State Veterans Commanders Council. This Council is comprised of the commanders from all of the various veterans organizations in the State. The JWV meets with fellow commanders 4 times per year to write, support and advocate appropriate legislation.
In the 2010 -2012 State Legislative Session over 138 Veterans oriented bills were introduced. Due to the efforts of the JWV and other veterans service organizations, 78 of these bills were enacted into law.