Andrew Brown ⋅ Austin, TX ESO Solutions ⋅ 18 years experience

Working with and/or through the VA either employed or volunteering would be the best place to start. From there (or if you're already doing this), work to get a campaign started in base communities. As a couple others have stated, a good social media campaign can help a lot if it's catchy and gets the point across #freecomputer might bring too much riffraff, but something like #VetTech4Me or #VetTech4Free might get more directed attention.
Also, anything you can put together to ease the process will help, provided that it's simple and doesn't create bottle-necks. i.e. Providing an infographic on how to apply would work much better than having everyone contact you for more information (i.e. http://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/infographics/ebenefits.html).
Sounds like a great program that could help a lot of people, including others on this site.

Julia Scott ⋅ Spring, TX Chemical Manufacturing Industry- Retired ⋅ 35 years experience

Hi Richard,

Here is where social media can really be used for good. I'd find (or create) a FB page for returning vets or really any vets... and post this information there. Then send the post linke to the people who are your contacts on FB to enlarge the audience.

Since people are able to direct their friends to all of the pet, kids & other silly links, then surely just about anyone might include your vet program information in their timeline for any friends to share even (if they are not personally in contact with any vets).

Good luck!

Julie

Guy Wendler ⋅ Cedar Rapids, IA Stamats ⋅ 30 years experience

This is where a good Twitter hashtag can help. Here are some hashtag ideas: #vets #veterans #freecomputer.

I would also use Google to scout for websites that help veterans and see if you can comment about this.

Are there any listserves for veterans? If so, join and then mention this.

This program deserves to be promoted.

Kate Nolt ⋅ Glen Mills, PA Creighton University ⋅ 15 years experience

Dear Richard,

Your efforts to make other Veterans aware of this service is great! Whichever department is the contact for the tuition and books for education would be a good place to start for getting the word out about the computers since, as you say, most vets know about the education piece. Lobbying those administrative folks in education to include this service as well in their website information, brochures, workshops etc. would be a good place to start. I would then speak with the department that has Social Workers as I believe part of their jobs in transitioning vets is to ensure that the vets have all the resources they need to have a smooth transition (which would include computers to search for jobs, and other community resources). I hope this is helpful information. Good luck, and thank you for your service.
Best,
Dr. Nolt