VFW Post 7507 member and Post Surgeon Boris Biloskirka recently delivered a $1,000 donation to Homeless MATters, the MANA (Marine Army Navy and AirForce) House and VA Voluntary Services (VAVS), all organizations that help veterans in need.

Biloskirka, a U.S. Army and Vietnam veteran is chair of the Post’s Hospital Committee and is VFW Post 7507’s contact with the VA hospital and homeless organizations such as Homeless MATters and the MANA House.

Biloskirka volunteers many hours monthly at the VA hospital in downtown Phoenix.

Veteran organizations

Homeless MATters takes plastic bags and weaves them into sleeping mats which are handed out to homeless veterans. The mats provide a waterproof barrier between the homeless veteran and the ground onto which a sleeping bag or blankets can be placed and insulated from the ground below.

Homeless MATters was started by a small group of women at a local church but has expanded to a number of churches of various denominations throughout the metro area, according to a press release.

Now, in addition to the plastic sleeping mats, the group also distributes “essential bags” which contain such items as spare socks, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and more.

The MANA house is a self-governing homeless shelter run by and for homeless veterans. It was originally established as the 7th Street Veterans Association by formerly homeless veterans to help homeless veterans become housed and reintroduced into society as valued members.

MANA House offers not only shelter but also rehabilitation and training for new careers. VFW Post 7507 has been associated with MANA House since its inception.

VA Voluntary Services provides the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with needed volunteer help to assist the VA in areas that are not covered adequately by governmental funding.

Since 1899, ensuring veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve has been one of its top priorities.

Since the VAVS program’s inception in 1946, VFW members and supporters have been volunteering their time at VA medical facilities nationwide, donating hundreds of thousands of service hours annually and providing much-needed support and companionship to the nation’s heroes and their families.