VFW Post 7824 Veteran Outreach
Buddy Check: Reach Out. Listen. Follow Up.
A call, text, email, cup of coffee, or visit can reconnect a Veteran with friendship, community, and resources. You do not need a special title to let someone know they still matter.
Buddy Check Week • September 21–25, 2026
Concerned about a Veteran's immediate safety?
Call 911 for immediate danger. For free, confidential crisis support available 24/7, contact the Veterans Crisis Line. You do not need to be enrolled in VA care.
Connection Is the Mission
What is a Buddy Check?
A Buddy Check is a simple, genuine contact with a Veteran, family member, caregiver, or survivor. The goal is to strengthen connection, reduce isolation, listen, and help someone reach useful support when needed.
Buddy Checks can happen by phone, text, email, video call, over coffee, or during a visit. Ask how the person is doing, listen without judgment, and follow up when you say you will.
Although Buddy Check Week provides a national call to action, outreach matters throughout the year. One sincere contact is valuable—even if you cannot reach all ten people in the national challenge.
A Simple Four-Step Check
How to conduct a Buddy Check
Keep it personal, respectful, and focused on the Veteran—not on completing a checklist.
Prepare
Choose people you have served with or know locally. Keep the crisis and VA resource numbers nearby before you make contact.
Connect
Start naturally: "You crossed my mind, and I wanted to see how you are doing.” A text or voicemail still lets them know you care.
Listen
Use open questions, allow silence, and avoid rushing to solve everything. Ask what kind of support would be useful.
Follow up
Agree on a specific next contact when appropriate. If you promise to call, visit, or send information, complete that action.
Conversation Guide
Not sure what to say?
Use these examples as a starting point, then speak in your own voice.
Opening a call or text
Hey [Name], it's [Your Name]. You crossed my mind, and I wanted to check in. How have you been doing?
Offering support
No pressure to explain anything you do not want to share. I am here to listen. Would it help if we looked at some resources together?
Planning a follow-up
I am glad we connected. I will check back on [day]. If you want to talk before then, please reach out.
Helpful approaches
- Ask open questions such as "How have things been lately?”
- Listen more than you speak.
- Respect the person's pace and privacy.
- Offer practical help with the next step.
- Follow up at an agreed time.
Avoid
- Judging, lecturing, or comparing experiences.
- Making promises you cannot keep.
- Trying to diagnose or provide professional counseling.
- Ignoring statements about self-harm or immediate danger.
Take the Challenge
Talk to 10 progress tracker
Mark one box after each completed Buddy Check. Do not enter names, phone numbers, health information, or other personal details.
Your Buddy Checks
0 of 10 completedPrivacy: this tracker stores only the ten checked/unchecked settings in this browser. It does not send information to VFW Post 7824 or any outside service.
Keep These Resources Ready
Connect a Veteran with support
When someone wants help, offer to stay with them while they call, text, chat, or open the appropriate resource.
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential support 24 hours a day. Call 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online.
Open Veterans Crisis LineVA: Don't Wait. Reach Out.
Find resources for career, money, relationships, isolation, grief, health, substance use, and other challenges.
Find VA support1-800-MyVA411
VA's main information number connects Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors with benefits and services.
Call 1-800-698-2411VA S.A.V.E. Training
A free, brief course for recognizing warning signs, asking directly, validating the Veteran's experience, and connecting them with help.
Take VA S.A.V.E. trainingVA Veteran Buddy Checks
Access the national pledge, current Buddy Check Week information, peer wellness training, and outreach materials.
Open VA Buddy Check resourcesVFW Claims Assistance
VFW-accredited service officers help Veterans understand and pursue VA benefits at no cost.
Find VFW claims assistanceThis page uses current guidance from the VA Veteran Buddy Check program, VA resources for Veterans helping Veterans, Veterans Crisis Line, and VFW Buddy Check outreach.
Page version 1.1.0 • Updated September 19, 2026
