September 15, 2009

We've all heard the adage medicine from a bottle. How about medicine from a box?

Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), the nation's largest supplier of therapeutic arts & crafts to VA and military hospital facilities has reached a milestone in support of Cincinnati and northern Kentucky area veterans.

Recently, the value of HHV arts & crafts donated in support of the Cincinnati VA Medical Center topped $4 million. Timothy Cox, Craft Care Specialist for the medical center said, "it blows the mind to think of the tremendous impact we are making in the lives of our veterans with these arts & crafts. The veterans love working on the kits and frequently talk about how they have developed a healthier way to both occupy their time and have fun."

Cox, who grew up in and around Cincinnati has been a Craft Care Specialist with HHV for two years loves what he does. "I have been active in sports since my youth. I've also been officiating all levels of sporting events for most of my adult life and have seen the joy and satisfaction that comes with healthy leisure time activities. To now be in a role where I can help give so much joy to our nation's veterans is very satisfying." Cox said that the arts & crafts program serves a very important aspect in the rehabilitation of the patients and is an integral part of the VA multidisciplinary team.

"We work very closely with both the Recreation and Occupational Therapy departments. The staff is terrific and does great things for our veterans' rehabilitation. We have many in- and outpatient veterans participating in the arts & crafts program." He added that the patients he serves deeply appreciate the donors who make the program possible.

"The most popular craft kits here are clocks, car & motorcycle models, all kinds of military models and purses. Working on the kits is something that promotes a healthy activity, rewarding leisure time usage and an effective stress management tool," added Cox.