The James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center celebrated Veterans Day with a donation of more than 500 basic need items from JPMorgan Chase. The items, including socks, blankets, toothbrushes and soap, were collected by JPMorgan Chase employees located in The Bronx and Westchester lower Hudson Valley, who collected the items for veterans living in, and/or receiving long term care at, the Bronx VA Medical Center, located at 130 West Kingsbridge Road in Fordham Manor.

 

JPMorgan Chase representatives said many of the veterans face a variety of challenges and rely on the VA for medical services, as well as other social support.

Different JPMorgan teams were joined by military veterans who assembled at various locations to ensure the success of the initiative, with one team collecting the donations at a White Plains central site, sorting the items into smaller batches and preparing them for handover, delivery, and drop off at the Bronx VA.

 

Pictured, among other JPMorgan Chase employees and partners, are veteran, John O’Neil, Luis Penichet of JPMorgan Chase commercial banking division, Iliana Menesick, Chase Bronx community manager, Bryna Majidi, Chase Bronx market director, Shawn Kingston, chief of development and civic engagement at the Bronx VA, Yesenia Quinones, Chase Bronx community manager, and Chase Bronx market director, Deb Charlamagne.

The Office of the Bronx Borough President was proud to host our Veterans Turkey Giveaway at James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Northwest Bronx, a major location for veteran services in our Borough. pic.twitter.com/xLpAu58CkQ

— Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson (@bronxbp) November 21, 2022

Representatives from the Bronx VA later spoke to those involved about the various issues affecting veterans and to formally accept the donations.

 

In the meantime, earlier this week and ahead of Thanksgiving, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and her office staff hosted a Veterans Turkey Giveaway at the Bronx VA. “Thank you the James J. Peters VA Medical Center for working with us,” Gibson said. “Grateful to continue the tradition of our office partnering with the James J. Peters Bronx VA Hospital, NYC Veterans and our team, for a Thanksgiving Turkey and Produce Giveaway for our Bronx Veterans and Families. Thanks to the VA Hospital, Waste Management & NY Common Pantry.”

 

She added, “God bless our Veterans and their families.”

 

As reported, Bronx veterans voiced their concerns that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would announce the closure of the Bronx VA facility amid reports of falling numbers of veterans in the local New York area, compared to other parts of the country. In June, it was announced that Dr. Balavankatesh Kanna had been appointed as the new executive director of the Bronx VA Medical Center.

 

Meanwhile, in July, the VA reminded veterans of the national veterans crisis helpline number to call if they are in need of mental health  support. The number is 988.