AVU Operational Status

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September10, 2020

Greetings to all AVU Members,

I would like for all members to be updated as to the Operational Status of American Veterans United. AVU Board of Directors had recently held a meeting in Moorpark with officers present and via Skype with Area Directors and Officers to discuss AVU's current Operational Status.


As you are all aware, The COVID 19 pandemic has affected our nation in so many ways to include the Department of Veterans Affairs and American Veterans United INC.
AVU generally posts information on the monthly calendar available to view on the AVU website and via email to those members who have internet access.


Since the beginning of the COVID 19 Pandemic, AVU has essentially been operating in a "SURVIVAL MODE". AVU had to cancel several fundraising events which were vital to our "Operations Budget".


We have managed to cover cost associated with administrative operations and mandatory legal/licensing expenses.
The AVU Board of Directors sat down and discussed ways to minimize expenses for the remainder of Calendar year 2020. We have consolidated and eliminated various accounts that would support our Scholarship and Hardship accounts. We have also made some changes to eliminate costs associated with the Area's monthly storage expense.


We expect to continue operating in this "Survival Mode" until it is safe for our members to resume fundraising efforts.
AVU will continue to bring in new membership with your help in spreading the word of our mission to help Veterans.
New membership applications can be found on the AVU website, AVUINC.org. and mailed in to the AVU PO Box. We also have merchandise available on our website for purchase. Henry also has some new button-up work shirts available for $30.00 each. Sizes range from small -XXXL. All funds can be forwarded to AVU through the PO Box.


We understand that our members maybe experiencing some financial hardship. If anyone would like to donate funds to AVU to assist members in that situation, please contact Henry directly.
We will not be hosting any fundraising events until further notice. If you know of anyone wishing to donate to American Veterans United, please have donations sent AVU PO Box 249 Moorpark, Ca. 93020. WE ARE OPERATING WITH LIMITED FUNDING.
AVU monitors info received from the VA and sends it to our members. The VA is continuing to limit services to its Veterans out of concern for COVID 19 exposure. The VA continues to see SELECT VETERANS for medical appointments on a case by case basis. This does involve a screening for COVID 19 by VA Staff. The VA has continued to conduct VIRTUAL/ TELEPHONIC Medical and Psych appointments.
Claims assistance through a Veteran Service Officer either from your local County Veterans Service Office or Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center has been VERY LIMITED or non-existence. This is not expected to change until possibly the beginning of year 2021.

 

It has always been the mission of AVU to assist Veterans and their families in obtaining the benefits they have earned. Although we do not gather at Sepulveda in this effort, Henry and Frank have continued to be available and provide claims assistance by phone, email and through home visits.   If you have the ability to submit a claim via the internet, that would be the fastest and most efficient way of getting a claim processed. As in the past, there is a "back-log" with claims processing. So, please be patient.

We would like to thank those members who have taken the time to write a brief review/ testimonial about their experience with the claims assistance and outcome they received from the VA with AVU. We will continue to post them on our website for all to review.
We thank you all for your continued support to American Veterans United. We hope you and your family's stay safe and healthy. God Bless you all.

Henry Alfaro
AVU President