In the community of Lake Oswego, OR, there is a strong and meaningful opportunity for residents to extend appreciation and practical support to those who have served—our veterans. Recognizing the contributions of veterans is not limited to a single day of remembrance; rather, the entire year offers pathways for engagement, service, and contribution. Whether someone has a few hours to give, a vehicle to volunteer, or items to donate, there are ways to create impact right here in this region.

The act of volunteering to assist veterans touches more than just one individual: it supports families, strengthens local systems of care, and enhances community cohesion. When residents of Lake Oswego participate in veteran-focused service, they join a broader conversation about gratitude, recognition, and ongoing assistance. As the city itself acknowledges the significance of Veterans Day and veteran service in public affairs.

With that context in mind, the following sections outline local nonprofits serving veterans, donation-drive options, hands-on volunteering roles, and ongoing support ideas for people in and around Lake Oswego, OR.

Local Non-Profit Organizations Serving Veterans

One accessible organization in Lake Oswego is the chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary – Post 12140, based in Lake Oswego. The VFW Auxiliary’s “Veterans and Family Support” program provides a framework for volunteers to engage directly in veteran- and family-focused service activities. This local anchor offers a way for residents to support veteran-serving efforts at the neighborhood level.

Another nonprofit worth noting is Mission 22, which serves veterans and their families through programs focused on recovery, resiliency, and community. While not headquartered in Lake Oswego, it operates nationwide and offers volunteer options and partnership opportunities. Residents of Lake Oswego can look into Mission 22’s events or local partner organizations to plug in their service.

In addition, the city of Lake Oswego’s own memorial organization, the Lake Oswego Veterans Memorial, operates as a 501(c)(3) and provides opportunities for the community to honour veterans through donations of pavers and benches, as well as educational engagement. These nonprofits, together, form a local network that residents can tap into to support veterans and their families in meaningful, structural ways.

Donation Drives for Veterans and Their Families

Donation efforts can significantly bolster veteran support organizations and make a tangible difference in veterans’ lives. For example, at the VA Portland Health Care System (serving the Portland-metro region, including Lake Oswego), volunteers are encouraged to bring items such as new sweatshirts, coats, umbrella gear, sleeping bags, lap quilts, and magazines for veteran patients. Lake Oswego residents can organize drives in their schools, churches, or community groups to collect these items and drop them off at the VA facility.

Gift cards are another flexible donation option—supporting veterans by providing grocery store vouchers, transit passes, or fuel cards helps meet daily living needs without imposing on schedules. The VA program above mentions transit passes (Tri-Met & C-Tran) and other everyday supports among the donation items. Donation drives could also be tied to special dates, such as Veterans Day, but designed to run throughout the year so veterans receive support beyond a single awareness moment.

Food-drive events are likewise an important channel, especially when coordinated with partner agencies that work with veterans and their families. Ensuring proper solicitation, logistic coordination, and drop-off points in Lake Oswego ensures the impact is sustained and meaningful.

Hands-On Volunteering Opportunities

For residents who want to engage with veterans actively, hands-on volunteering offers several paths. At the VA Portland Health Care System, roles include shuttle or van driver assisting outpatient veterans, office assistant work, and “Red Coat Ambassador” greeter roles where volunteers help veterans navigate the facility and find appointments. This is a strong option for Lake Oswego residents with flexible schedules who are willing to commit locally to veteran-oriented services.

Another avenue is through the statewide volunteer initiative run by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) titled the “Veteran Volunteer Program”. Volunteers are trained to reach out to aging veterans or veterans in long-term care settings, helping them understand their federal and state-earned benefits and connect with resources. This program invites participants aged 18 or older and welcomes both veterans and civilian volunteers, making it accessible to a wide range of Lake Oswego residents.

Setting up dedicated teams or coordinating with nonprofit partners for veteran house visits, community event staffing, or veteran support workshops can further deepen the impact of hands-on volunteering. The key is to select roles aligned with personal skills—administration, transportation, socialization—and commit to the time required to build trust and reliability.

Sustained Support Beyond a Single Day

While Veterans Day offers a thematic moment of recognition every November, meaningful veteran support in Lake Oswego requires year-round engagement. One ongoing approach is to establish periodic check-ins or social meet-ups for veterans and their families—either through nonprofit partners or community organizations—to foster connections and reduce isolation.

Another approach is to collaborate with the VFW Auxiliary or other veteran service groups to create mentorship or peer-support programs. Helping veterans transition to civilian life, assisting with job-skill development, or supporting family needs makes service sustainable and systemic rather than occasional.

Finally, residents can advocate and mobilize community awareness: participating in city-sponsored veteran events, supporting funding drives at the local memorial, or promoting veteran-friendly hiring practices in local businesses. Continuous support is not only about direct service or donations—it also involves shaping an environment of recognition and respect every month of the year.

For residents of Lake Oswego, OR, the chance to support veterans and their families is both rich and accessible. From nonprofit partnerships and donation drives to hands-on volunteering and ongoing advocacy, the pathways to serve are structure-rich and open. Choosing a role that aligns with one’s time, skills, and interests amplifies the impact and helps ensure veterans feel supported in lasting ways.

When community members commit beyond the one-day observance of Veterans Day, they embed service into the rhythm of local life. That continuous commitment translates into stronger networks, deeper relationships, and better access to resources for veterans. Each effort—big or small—adds up in meaningful ways.

By engaging thoughtfully and persistently, Lake Oswego residents can help shape a community culture in which veterans are honored not just for their past service but also supported in their present-day journey and future well-being.

Sources: oregon.gov, va.gov, loveteransmemorial.org, mission22.org, vfwauxor.org
Header Image Source: pexels.com