### *In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 8301, VA is authorized to accept donations or gifts for the benefit of patients. This list of needs is provided to inform potential donors or gift givers of the needs of the local facility to "care for those who have borne the battle."*

#### Financial Donation Opportunities

The following is a list of financial donation opportunities at the
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston. Your donations are
greatly appreciated. *GPF= General Post Fund*

**GPF 9002** -- **Recreation Therapy Fund:**

Donations used to facilitate patient therapeutic activities for leisure
education programs, such as admission to sporting events, movies, and
providing lunch for patients while on community outings.

**GPF 9003** **-- Patient Holiday Fund:**

Donations used for purchase of patient Holiday gifts, so every
in-patient will receive a gift.

**GPF 9004** -- **Social Work Emergency Fund:**

Established to provide assistance to Veterans and their families during
times of need, it is used to cover those costs that are not part of the
veteran's healthcare benefit package and for family members caring for a
disabled or ill veteran.

**GPF 9006 -- General Patient Fund:**

Donations used to assist veterans and/or their families with general
patient activities, including the Patient Coffee Cart Program.

**GPF 9008** -- **Patient TV's:**

Donations used to support the on going replacement of patient TV's in
patient rooms. Currently, the inpatient televisions are not HD
compliant.

**GPF 9012 -** **Social Work Service Homeless:**

Donations used to assist homeless veterans find temporary housing. It
allows them time to rest, recuperate, and regain the ability to care for
themselves.

**GPF 9013 -- OEF/OIF Program**

Donations used in support of returning veterans.

**GPF 9019** **-- Women Veterans Program:**

Donations used to support the Women Veterans Program, such as Women
Veterans Recognition Week, facilitating the purchase of recognition
certificates, refreshments, and gifts to our women veterans.

**GPF 9031 -- Fisher House:**

Donations used to support special needs of the Fisher House.

**GPF 9032** -- **Special Recreation/Patient Activities:**

Donations used to support special patient programs, such as the National
Veterans Golden Age Games.

**GPF 9319 -- Domiciliary**

Donations used to support the Domiciliary Care Homeless Veterans
Program, a residential program for veterans located on Fannin. Veterans
residing at the Domiciliary live in an apartment type setting while
receiving treatment.

**GPF 9384 -- PRRC**

Donations used to support the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery
Center.

Monetary Donations should be made payable to:

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (00X) - D

2002 Holcombe Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77030

In the memo portion of the check, please indicate the GPF \# and the
intent.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

  --------------------------------- -------------------------------------
  **SUGGESTED NON-MONETARY          
  DONATIONS**                       

                                    

  **MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS**           

  Afghan (bed size)                 Puzzles

  Lap Robes                         DVD's

  Socks                             Phone Cards (15, 30, 60 min's)

  New or gently used clothing items New/Gently used Board Games
  (men & women)                     

  Undergarments in unopened         New/Gently used Wii or Playstation
  packages                          games

  Caps/Hats                         New/Gently used handheld games &
                                    batteries

  Playing Cards                     

                                    

  **TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRY ITEMS**    **READING/STATONARY**

  toothpaste/tooth brush            Hard Cover Books

  Shampoo/conditioner               Paperback Books

  powder, deodorant, shaving cream, Magazines
  lotion, non-alcoholic mouthwash   

  combs, brushes                    Books on Tape

                                    

  **ITEMS WE CANNOT ACCEPT:**       

  Anything containing alcohol or    Furniture
  tobacco                           

  Anything with glass               Wheelchairs

  Inappropriate reading material    Prosthetic items

  Any items that are in             Scooters
  unacceptable condition            

  Computers                         Crutches

                                    
  --------------------------------- -------------------------------------

**It is requested that a drop off time be scheduled for items, as we do
not accept unattended donations. Please contact the Voluntary Service
Office (Room 2A-104), Monday -- Friday, 8:00 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. at (713)
794-7135 to arrange for acceptance of your donation.**

*VA accepting officials may decide to reject offers of gifts or
donations of items for any reason including because there is no
anticipated need for the items or the maintenance of the items would be
out of proportion to their value. We are responsible for providing safe
and clean donations. Items that do not meet these criteria will be
refused.*

*The Internal Revenue Service has announced that under the Tax Code,
donations to the Department of Veterans Affairs' General Post Fund for
exclusively public purposes are deductible from federal income taxes in
the manner and to the extent allowable. The announcement reflects the
tax law provision which makes those donations deductible as "donations
to the United States."*

*A donation to support any of the Department's programs are deductible,
whether the donor directs that the donated funds be used for a specific
purpose or allows the Department to decide how the donated funds will be
used.*

***For further information, contact the Volunteer Office at
(713)794-7135 or*** <vhahouvolunteer@va.gov>

***Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC)***

Book and Magazine Donation Guideline

**Overview\
\
**MEDVAMC welcomes donations of hardbacks and paperbacks.  These
donations help enrich and improve the our resources.  MEDVAMC accepts
books as donations with the understanding that they may be added to the
collection or distributed throughout the medical center.

**Guidelines for Accepting Donations**\
\
MEDVAMC has a responsibility for providing safe, clean materials for VA
patients.  Therefore all items accepted **must not** have:

-   Mold or mildew

-   Wet pages

-   Insect markings or droppings

-   Large areas of pages previously wet but now dry

-   Spider webs

-   Excessive dust

If we receive materials meeting any of the criteria listed above, they
will be destroyed.  Please understand that materials donated should
always be in good condition.\
\
**Receipts**\
\
The MEDVAMC will not appraise donated books for tax purposes.  Voluntary
Service *provides a receipt for tax purposes for donations.**\
***\
**Delivery of Donated Materials**\
\
It is requested that a drop off time be scheduled for items, as we do
not accept unattended donations. Please contact the Voluntary Service
Office (Room 2A-104), Monday -- Friday, 8:00 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. at (713)
794-7135 to arrange for acceptance of your donation.