This month, all over the Treasure Valley, families are getting ready to celebrate our country’s freedom with picnics, fireworks, and lots of fun. While we’re all wrapped up in the red, white, and blue festivities, maybe this is a good time to think about the folks who have done so much to ensure that we can keep that freedom: our veterans.

        The Veterans Home, located at the base of the Foothills in Boise, is home to many Idahoans who served in the US military and can no longer live independently. The facility has a 36-bed residential unit and a 131-bed skilled nursing care unit, which includes a 17-bed special care unit for veterans with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions. Residents have access to a physical therapy center, a library, social services, transportation to medical appointments, and an extensive program that offers activities both on-site and in the community.

        Volunteers from veterans’ organizations and other groups donate more than 36,000 hours of their time to the Boise home during the year and help the Home’s staff by interacting with residents and providing valuable services. They also organize and sponsor social functions and holiday parties.

        As with so many other agencies and organizations, the current economic climate has put holes in the budget for the Veterans Home. One of the projects the Home has come up with to mitigate the effects of the cutbacks is Beds for Vets. Money has already been raised for 121 beds, but 35 more of the nursing beds are needed, each at a cost of $1250.

Here’s a wish list for the Veterans Home:

•  Monetary donations for Beds for Vets—any amount will help!

•  TVs for residents’ rooms

    -Around 32” is the best size—big enough to see, but not too big for the rooms

    -Good used TVs are acceptable

    -HD converters are available, so analog TVs are fine

•  Books on tape or CD

•  Tape players or CD players

For more information or to donate or volunteer, contact Phil Hawkins at 334-5000 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Donna Bankhead is a contributing writer from Boise.