Still Serving. Every Day. Right Here in Tacoma.
The oath a veteran takes doesn't expire.
That's why VFW Post 969 members are out in the community every week — coordinating parades, hosting blood drives, sponsoring youth sports, feeding the hungry, cleaning parks, lending our hall to civic groups, and showing up for the veterans and families who need us most.
Reaching out into our community is how we live the VFW mission.
Every strong Post is built on the relationships it builds with school principals, city officials, local media, first responders, and civic groups. Post 969 believes those relationships aren't a strategy — they're a duty.
VFW members across America give more than time. They give impact:
Post 969 is a proud part of that impact — right here in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Community Service isn't one program. It's dozens of small acts that add up to something big. At Post 969, we regularly:
🇺🇸 Show Up for Veterans
Hospital and nursing home visits
Care packages for deployed troops and their families
Rides to VA appointments
Bereavement visits and funeral honors (Honor Guard →)
Star Family support (Americanism →)
🎉 Serve Our Neighborhoods
Parade participation and color guard support
Community clean-ups and park beautification
Food pantry drives and holiday meal deliveries
Toys for Tots collection (Toys for Tots →)
Hosting patriotic ceremonies open to the public
🏫 Partner With Schools & Youth
Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen essay contests (Americanism →)
Scout of the Year recognition (Americanism →)
Classroom visits and flag education
Sponsoring youth sports teams and band programs
Smart/Maher Teacher of the Year nominations
🏛️ Support Civic & Community Groups
Loaning the Post hall for free to community organizations
Meeting space for scouts, church groups, and civic gatherings
Partnering with the Auxiliary and other veterans organizations
Working alongside first responders (Safety →)
Rec Park events open to the community (Rec Park →)
🎁 Fundraise for Those in Need
Buddy Poppy distribution every spring
VFW Unmet Needs Program support
Rides, meals, and utility assistance for veterans in crisis
The VFW takes community service seriously enough to formally recognize it. Every year, Posts across the nation compete for:
🏅 Fred C. Hall Outstanding Post Special Project Award
Given to the Post whose most exceptional single project stands out nationwide. Winners receive a plaque at the VFW National Convention and a $1,000 service scholarship for future community projects.
🏅 Outstanding National Community Service Post Award
Each year on July 1, VFW National identifies the top community service Posts in each conference based on Total Impact = Dollars Donated + Volunteer Hours + Mileage. Winning Post Commanders receive a trip to the VFW National Convention.
🏅 Department Community Service Post Award
Each state (department) recognizes its own top Post for community service impact.
Post 969's goal: to show up so consistently, so faithfully, and so publicly that Tacoma and Pierce County know exactly who to call when they need veterans in their corner.
The VFW Department of Washington tracks community service through a member portal at vfwwa.org using the formula:vfwwa
Dollars Spent + Volunteer Hours + Mileage = Total Event Impact
Every hour a Post 969 member volunteers, every mile driven for a veteran, every dollar donated — it's all reported to the state and rolls up to VFW National, which reports the totals to Congress annually to demonstrate the VFW's impact on the country.
Volunteer hour value (2023 Independent Sector): $31.80/hour
IRS Mileage rate (charitable): $0.14/mile
The best part about VFW Community Service? You don't have to be a member to help.
Post 969 welcomes:
✅ VFW and Auxiliary members looking to log hours and lead events
✅ Family and friends of veterans who want to serve alongside us
✅ Community members who love their neighborhood and want to give back
✅ Youth groups, scouts, and school volunteer teams
✅ Local businesses looking to sponsor or partner on events
📞 253-272-1405
✉️ adj@vfw969.org
📘 Follow us on Facebook for upcoming volunteer opportunities
Are you a school, church, civic group, first-responder agency, non-profit, city council member, or local businesslooking for veterans to partner with on a project?
Post 969 is here. We provide:
Color guards and honor guards for public events
Volunteer hours for community projects
Meeting space at our hall (free for many community groups)
Media amplification through our Facebook page and network
Access to Pierce County's veteran community
📞 253-272-1405 · ✉️ adj@vfw969.org
VFW Post 969 — Eric G. Sandstrom Post
📍 3510 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA 98404
📞 253-272-1405
✉️ adj@vfw969.org
🌐 vfw969.org
📘 Facebook
"Still Serving."
— VFW Community Service Motto
