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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Click on the question below that you would like answered
• Are donations to HHV tax deductible?
• Why does HHV seem to have more than one address?
• What can I do to receive less mail?
• How can I receive more name labels?
• How can I help, even if I can't afford a donation?
• I don't believe in sweepstakes! Are they legitimate?
• How much goes toward program services?
• What happened to Help Disabled War Veterans?
• Can I buy the craft kits from HHV for my personal use?
• How many VA facilities does HHV ship to?
• Is our facility eligible to receive crafts?
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Are donations to HHV tax deductible?
Yes, 100%, as HHV has been designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 organization.
Why does HHV seem to have more than one address?
HHV is headquartered in Winchester, California. Craft kits are received, processed and shipped from this location. HHV has Post Office boxes in Washington, D.C., Hagerstown, Maryland and Topeka, Kansas to collect and process donations. This is done to keep associated expenses to a minimum.
What can I do to receive less mail?
Many of our loyal donors, as well as new donors don't understand why they get "so much mail" from HHV. The reason is simple. Most people who donate to HHV also donate to several other charities, namely veterans' charities. HHV rents lists from many of these other veterans charities seeking new donors on a regular basis. If an HHV donor's name comes in from a list, a duplicate mailing usually is generated. This is the downside to fundraising. Larger charities that can rely on name recognition do not need to rent lists as often as HHV, therefore donors often think HHV is being "greedy" by sending them multiple mailings.
To combat the problem, two steps should be taken:
The donor writes each charity they contribute to and asks them "Please do not sell or rent my name to any other entity." The donor also asks for a mailing frequency, such as monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual mailings.
How can I receive more name labels?
Name labels are produced for a particular mailing campaign. They are mass produced at the time of production and are not available after the production run.
How can I help, even if I can't afford a donation?
Contact your local VA Medical Center and inquire about open volunteer positions. If you are not sure where your nearest VA Medical Center is, click here. There are also hundreds of Outpatient Clinics, and Outreach Programs that need volunteers. Your local VA Medical Center will be able to guide you further in locating an Outpatient or Outreach center.
I don't believe in sweepstakes! Are they legitimate?
HHV uses sweepstakes mailings as a creative part of fundraising. Each package is a separate entry into the named sweepstakes (see Official Rules, which are a part of each package, for details) and donors may enter as many times as they receive a package. The bottom line is: they are an effective tool to raise money. Prizes won by HHV's donors have indeed been shared with HHV, but the donor must first be deemed a "winner" by the judging firm (again, see Official Rules) and accept the prize. Then he/she may make a donation back to HHV in any amount, or not at all. The choice is that of the winner.
And just a note to ease your curiosity: HHV does not pay the winnings of any sweepstakes. The printer of the mailing has agreed to pay the prizes. So all in all, sweepstakes mailings benefit both hospitalized veterans, because they generate a good response in donations, and the donor, because they get the chance to enter in a legitimate sweepstakes.
How much goes toward program services?
For a copy of HHV's latest audited financial statement, you may email a request. Please type "Audited Financial" in the subject line, and in the message body, include your name and complete mailing address. Or visit a financials page by clicking here.
What happened to Help Disabled War Veterans (HDWV)?
HDWV is now a "special project" of HHV which continues to provide arts & crafts and other products & services to homebound veterans and (depending on combat related disability rating) WebTV units. For more information on HHV's Special Projects and its services please email special.projects@hhv.org.
Can I buy the craft kits from HHV for my personal use?
No. The arts and crafts kits are purchased through several suppliers at special prices for distribution to America's hospitalized veterans. However, you may buy them at craft retail stores.
How many VA facilities does HHV ship to?
HHV currently ships arts & crafts kits to 282 facilities, which include:
- Overseas Military Installations: 5
- Continental U.S. Military Installations: 16
- State Veterans Homes (aka Old Soldiers Homes): 71
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers: 154
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinics: 6
Each shipment of craft kits is customized to the request of each facility.
Is our facility eligible to receive crafts?
HHV purchases and manufactures a variety of craft kits with funds generously donated by caring citizens across the U.S. We carry a line of approximately 300 various items such as woodwork, leather items, paint-by-numbers, plastic models and ceramics.
Based on the size of the facility, (please see below to determine eligibility) HHV would provide a "starter" shipment containing a limited sampling of craft kits to give the veterans an idea of what is generally available.
Please note that craft kit types and quantities will vary.
Every craft kit has a donor card (or cards) attached, based on the retail value of the kit, (in $8.00 increments) which provide the veteran the opportunity to write a thank you note directly to the donor. Postage on these cards has already been paid by HHV - all that HHV asks of the veterans is completion and mailing of the cards in a timely manner, preferably within a three (3) month time frame.
Eligibility: Does your facility fall under one of these categories:
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center / Outpatient Clinic
- State Assisted Veteran's Home
- Active Duty Military Hospital
If the answer is "YES" to any of the above, the director or facility administrator may request (on the facility's stationary) to receive HHV craft kits. It will need to be stated within the request:
- The number of veterans within the facility;
- The average age of those veterans;
- The person who will be responsible for the craft kits program;
- Assurance that the arts and crafts kits will be given ONLY to veteran patients, veteran residents or active duty military individuals (no staff or dependents are eligible to receive HHV's kits);
- Assurance the kits will be kept in a secure storage area;
- Assurance that the "donor cards" will be completed by the veterans, screened for content, and mailed in a timely manner (postage is pre-paid);
- The shipping address (if different from that of the letterhead). HHV DOES NOT SHIP TO P.O. BOXES).
Once the request is received, HHV will contact the facility for a short interview to determine the qualifications as well as verify all of the information received.
For more information call 951-926-4500.
