Chillicothe, OH – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 108 has donated $4,500 for Christmas gifts of families enrolled in Ross County Health District’s (RCHD) Home Visiting Program.

“We are so grateful that this is the third year in a row VFW Post 108 has made this donation. Our families really appreciate it,” expressed Amie Unger, RCHD Director of Child and Family Health. “The past few years have been hard for our families, which makes this donation all the more impactful,” Unger added. 

VFW Post 108 Commander and US Navy veteran, Ryan Varney, stated, "It was our pleasure to donate $4,500 to assist the Ross County Health Department's Help Me Grow program. We were able to help over 100 kids from all parts of the county. As combat veterans, some of us saw children in terrible situations. Therefore, the members of Post 108 are happy to provide funds to brighten the holiday season for children here in Ross County. We are looking forward to making similar donations in the future!”

More information on RCHD’s Child and Family Health Division Programs:

Help Me Grow Home Visiting – Ross County Health District

Cribs for Kids® – Ross County Health District

Child Passenger Safety – Ross County Health District

RCHD’s Home Visiting Program serves pregnant families and families with children up to age five by visiting homes, providing education, and connecting them with resources. The Cribs for Kids and Child Passenger Safety programs are also included under the Home Visiting umbrella of services, providing education, portable cribettes, child safety seats, and booster seats to eligible, low-income families in Ross County.

“Most families that we enrolled in the program receive WIC benefits and food stamps. There are some Christmas assistance programs in our county, but a lot of them have restrictions or families have to go there to sign up. Transportation is a huge barrier for our families living in the more rural parts of the county like Bainbridge and Frankfort,” Unger explained. “This donation from VFW Post 108 allowed us to provide gifts for all kids of the 120 program families we serve. $4,500 stretches so far to help these families in need over the holidays, and we have so much gratitude for the VFW’s support,” Unger concluded.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 108 promotes Americanism by means of education in patriotism and by constructive service to local communities. 

To refer a child or family to the Help Me Grow program, please visit http://rosscountyhealth.org/help-me-grow-home-visiting.