On 11-11-11 at 11:00 AM, New York City lead the nation in honoring its veterans with an extraordinary parade down 5th Ave. Joining the ranks of dignitaries, military units, and veterans organizations for the 92nd annual Veterans Day parade, Samaritan Village troops from The Veterans Program, The Ed Thompson Veterans Center, and The Women Veterans Program, affectionately known, respectively, as "The 43rd Herd," "The Hootch," and "The Haven," proudly marched in unison as the community offered gratitude, respect, and support for their service. Samaritan Village veterans program residents work behind the scenes all year long as volunteers for the United War Veterans Council, Inc. to provide assistance in parade production activities. Additional veterans events that occur throughout the year include Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day (March 26), Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremonies (last weekend in May), and an ongoing Internship Program in which veterans from Samaritan Village give service to the veterans community while developing job skills and making valuable contacts. 

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Click here for a PDF version of the Samaritan Recovery Month Calendar of Events for September 2011.

In recognition of September’s National Recovery Month, clients from Samaritan Village’s Van Wyck facility came together to “give back” to the community. The Samaritan crew of ten spent the day at Baisley Pond Park in Queens pulling weeds, raking leaves, and cleaning up the park.  Samaritan partnered with the NYC Parks and Recreation to help keep the city clean and green. The activity “created a positive experience and also helped our clients in their own personal recovery process,” said Van Wyck director Laurie Lieberman. Clients are scheduled to again roll up their sleeves and clean up Flushing Meadow Park in October.

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Clients and staff from Samaritan Village’s Veterans Programs enjoyed a fun-filled day of ocean breezes and barbecue on Lido Beach on July 13, 2011. The  event was sponsored by Chwatsky Farber Post 717, Jewish War Veterans.  The Post established the “L’Chaim Fund” in 2009 to provide each veteran who completes treatment with a little money to offset the cost of transitioning from institutional to independent living.  Post members have donated over $5,000 to date to assist clients, not including clothing and other generous donations. “We figure we can help 150 guys a year,” said Post member Bert Abbey.  “But the caring we give is far more important.  We get more than we give.” 

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