Help Heal Veterans (Heal Vets), the nation’s largest provider of free therapeutic arts-and-craft kits to U.S. veterans and active duty military personnel, has launched a new public service announcement (PSA) to raise awareness about the healing power of craft therapy.
The PSA, produced by Bright Light Agency, Inc., features Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr.
“It is an honor to partner with Heal Vets for this PSA, which aims to raise awareness around the benefits of craft therapy for both the mind and soul,” said Gossett.
Gossett, who has starred in several military-themed movies, such as “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the “Iron Eagle” film series, says his experiences have allowed him to get a taste of the commitment that American veterans exhibit when they volunteer for military service. It’s that commitment that has inspired him to give back to our nation’s veterans, including through this PSA.
Help Heal Veterans, a nonprofit organization founded during the Vietnam War, supplies free arts-and-crafts kits to injured servicemen and women and U.S. veterans. The kits often become a part of the patient’s treatment plan, giving them a creative outlet along with tangible therapeutic and rehabilitation benefits. The kits improve fine motor skills, cognitive functioning, memory improvement, anger issues and dexterity. Help Heal Veterans has distributed more than 29 million kits since 1971 from hundreds of craft categories, including woodworking, leather, models, and a variety of needle crafts, among many others.
“As the CEO of Help Heal Veterans, I’ve witnessed firsthand the tremendous healing power of craft therapy for our veterans. But, many veterans don’t know about craft therapy or where to get our services, which is why this PSA is so important,” said Joe McClain, USN (Retired), CEO of Help Heal Veterans. “We are grateful for opportunities like this PSA with Louis that allow us to reach and help more vets.”
The PSA will air in select markets throughout the country.
For more on Help Heal Veterans extensive arts and crafts program, visit HealVets.org or call 888-567-VETS (8387).
