How VA Health Care Celebrations Are Shifting With ‘VetsGiving’ Events Across the Country

Thanksgiving has always been about gratitude — and this year, the VA is putting that gratitude into action with “VetsGiving” celebrations happening across the country.

From shared meals to volunteer drives, these events highlight the bonds between veterans, their families, and the communities that continue to support them. The message is simple but powerful: no veteran should spend the holidays feeling forgotten.

One standout example is the Phoenix VA Health Care System’s VetsGiving Celebration, happening November 15, 2025. The event brings together veterans, volunteers, staff, and local organizations for a day of fellowship, food, and appreciation — complete with live music, wellness resources, and care packages for those facing hardship.

From Traditional Ceremonies to Inclusive Celebrations

In past years, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving were often treated as separate observances — one about service, the other about gratitude. But as the veteran community evolves, the VA’s approach is evolving, too.

Many VA facilities are now bridging the two with VetsGiving — inclusive, community-focused events designed to honor service and nurture connection.

“It’s not just about the meal,” said one VA social worker helping organize a VetsGiving drive in California. “It’s about reminding veterans that they’re part of something larger — that their service still connects them to people who care.”

In addition to the Phoenix VA, similar events are happening at VA hospitals in Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas, often hosted in partnership with local veterans’ groups, community colleges, and nonprofit food networks.

More Than a Meal: A Focus on Wellness …

This year’s celebrations go beyond turkey and stuffing. They’re designed to support mental health, physical wellness, and social connection — all crucial pillars of veteran well-being.

Many facilities are offering:

• On-site resource tables for housing, benefits, and mental-health services.
• Peer-to-peer conversations about transition challenges and social isolation.
• Volunteer opportunities for civilians and students who want to give back.
• Care package stations where visitors can help assemble essentials for homeless veterans.

It’s a growing reminder that holidays can be a source of healing — not just for veterans, but for entire communities looking to reconnect with purpose.

The Bigger Picture: Gratitude in Action

VetsGiving isn’t just a feel-good initiative; it’s a model for sustained community engagement. By combining gratitude with service, these events strengthen trust between veterans and local support systems — something the VA has been working to rebuild in recent years.

For many participants, VetsGiving becomes a doorway to new opportunities — whether that’s reconnecting with care teams, enrolling in benefits, or simply finding fellowship in a familiar place.

“The goal is to make sure veterans don’t only feel seen on Veterans Day,” said one VA coordinator, “but supported all year long.”

Final Thoughts …

VetsGiving may start with a meal, but it’s really about momentum — the kind that keeps compassion going long after the leftovers are gone.

Every plate shared, every conversation sparked, and every new connection made adds to a growing movement of gratitude that transcends a single holiday.

Because at the heart of it, gratitude isn’t seasonal — it’s continuous. And for veterans who’ve given so much, that’s the kind of thankfulness that matters most.

… Extended Final Thoughts …

As we move toward Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, it’s worth pausing — not just to look back at history, but to look around at the veterans still standing beside us today.

VetsGiving reminds us that remembrance isn’t confined to a date on the calendar; it’s lived every day through connection, compassion, and community. The best way to honor those who served isn’t just with silence or ceremony — it’s with action, gratitude, and the shared humanity that lights up every VA center and local gathering across the country this month.