The annual Veterans Outreach Center Flag Day campaign to raise money to support programs and services for veterans is happening online this year.

The Veterans Outreach Center was able to continue critical services for veterans during the pandemic like housing, unemployment assistance, food pantries, and even food deliveries. VOC case managers made some 3,000 calls to veterans the last couple of months to stay connected and make sure they were okay. 

This year the Flag Day campaign will not have volunteers out in the community handing out flags in exchange for donations. The donations are happening entirely online. The VOC is also inviting people to be a "Porch Patriot" and submit flag photos.  

"This year, of course, we really didn't know when everything would open up and people would feel comfortable handing out flags and receiving donations in return so we decided to take that digital. We have a whole new way of doing Flag Day this year that involves people getting a nice photograph of themselves next to their American flag," said Executive Director Laura Stradley.

"The VOC, of course, we want everybody to know that if you have served your country, we are here for you and all it takes is a phone call and we will do whatever it takes to make sure that they are safe and healthy and have what they need," she added.

To submit your "Porch Patriot" photo or to make an online donation to the VOC Flag Day campaign go to VOCROC.org.