Help Heal Veterans hands-on mission is to deliver healing arts and crafts kits to veterans and active duty service members in need of physical or mental rehabilitation. Sandi Kriebel, National President of the VFW Auxiliary, has seen first-hand through her son who is a 100% disabled veteran, the healing power of HHV therapeutic craft kits.
Kriebel comes from a long line of military veterans. In every conflict of war that the United States has undergone dating back to the Revolutionary War, Kriebel has had a family member in the military serving to protect the country. To represent the national organization VFW auxiliary as its president has been her dream since 1979, and since assuming the role as national president has been all she has ever dreamt it to be and more. Kriebel is proud to be a member of the organization and to serve veterans, and to see other people give their hearts and souls towards making a difference in the lives of veterans and active military is remarkable.
Kriebel praises Help Heal Veterans calling it a "powerful program" that truly makes a difference in the lives of our veterans. She says, "the craft kits put the veterans into a relaxed mode. They allow them to transition their focus to doing the craft, where sometimes in their life they are not able to do that due to PTSD, or other war-related symptoms. I have seen the difference that it has made in veterans, not just for them, but when they feel accomplished, and you see a positive progression in their thoughts they become a better person all around and become better towards the family, and that is why is why HHV is such a powerful program."
HHV craft kits include a wide variety of crafts and materials to choose from such as leatherwork, models, woodwork, jewelry, painting, needlecrafts, poster art, scrapbooks and more. Craft Care Specialists work closely with veterans and clinicians to provide the right kit to meet the veteran's specific needs.
Kriebel's son endured chemical induced injuries, and the symptoms are similar to that of cancer, so he suffers from chronic pain. The craft kits took away his pain and fears and provided him with a peace of mind. Kriebel said that the craft kits, "bring him joy" allowing him to share his completed crafts with family. His personal favorites are the paint set and the military models.
If you or a veteran you know have been impacted by Help Heal Veterans therapeutic crafting HHV encourages you to share your story on their website. Your stories are what make it worth all worthwhile.
