Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary of the United States … · 2018-02-07 · Creative Young...

Page 1 February 2018 Department Communication #5

Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary

of the United States

Department Of Virginia

Table of Contents

February 2018

Greetings from Department President Linda Bond 2-3

Americanism, Judy Goodbar 4

Banner, Cathy Graham 5

Chaplain, Maggie Myers 6

Chief of Staff/Extension, Betty Gimble 7-8

Historian, Vicki Butler 9

Hospital, Carol Vangi 10-11

Legislative, Judy Lupole 12

Membership & Leadership, Marcia Semones 13-14

Recruitment/Trainer Guidance, Patricia Jurgensen 15

President's Special Project, Fred Jennings 16

Scholarships, Kathy Birch 17

Veterans and Family Support, Cheri Sizemore 18-19

Youth Activities, Kim Lawson 20-21

Secretary, Ellen Stogsdill 22

Web Site & Social Media Platforms, Cheri Sizemore 23

Department Commander's and President’s Homecoming 24

Ways and Means 25

Upcoming Events 26

Auxiliaries Not Reported 27-28

Banner Report as of 1-26-2018 29-32


Greetings Sisters and Brothers:

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.

I have enjoyed working with all of you to help our Department meet and exceed their goals and

accomplishments. It is so nice to meet new people and make new friends during my District visits. I still have a

few Districts to visit and I am looking forward to seeing all of you.

If you did not attend the Winter Council meeting in January at Portsmouth, you missed a good meeting and the

new venue is just beautiful. Thank you Kim DeShano for the great job you did coordinating this event. The

hotel was great and the food was really good at the reception. A special thanks to all our Contest winners. It

was so nice to meet them and their families.

Membership is currently at 95.25%. Thanks to all of you that helped make us our second quarter goal. We

now need to work on our third quarter objective. I know we can do it! Check eligibility and if every member

signs up just 1 new or rejoined member we can do it. If you need help recruiting, contact Patricia Jurgenson,

our National Recruiter. Remember, the line officers are always available to assist you. Have you sent in your

Membership Report yet? Don’t forget to report.

Continuing Education Scholarships are available to Auxiliary members and their immediate families (spouse,

son or daughter) who wish to further their education by pursing a college degree or career. Deadline is

February 15th.

Creative Young American Patriotic Art entries are due by March 31st 2018 to your Auxiliary and must be

sent to the Department Chairman by April 15, 2018 for Judging. The Department Chairman will need to send

our Department winner to National by May 5, 2018. Participants in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 can enter this contest.

Audits: Please refer to Sec – 814- Trustee, Duties of (All Levels) on page 88. Your audit must be received no

later than the end of the month following the expiration of each quarterly period. You must have it in on that

date, not a day later. Also, please note that it is the 1st Year Trustee’s responsibility to submit the audit. If you

have any questions, please contact Debbie Martin.

Note: Debbie changed her email in August 2018. If you send to her old email, she will not receive it and you

will be considered late. Her correct email is [email protected]

Auxiliary Elections are just around the corner! Nominations and Elections in April are fast approaching. I

want your Auxiliary members to know that they need to elect Delegates and Alternates for the District,

Department and National Conventions. This is crucial for your vote to be heard. There will be more on this

subject in the next communication.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary

of the United States

Department of Virginia

Message from Department President Linda Bond

February 2018


District Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers: The Banner Chairman needs your help. Please make sure

you have sent in your District Dues, School of Instruction date and attendance. You must report in all of these

areas.

I would like to remind you again that the Chain of Command should always be followed at every level. Your

Auxiliary President is your first contact, then the District President. If they are unable to assist you, they will

contact me. If necessary, I will contact National. District President’s should be contacting me directly with a

problem. They should not be calling the Department Secretary or Treasurer unless it is related to them directly.

You may refer to Using Proper Channels on Page 12 of your Booklet of Instructions under Matters of Concern.

Homecoming is March 10th, 2018. See flyer in this communication for information on hotel and RSVP.

We have Sweatshirts for sale now. If you are interested in purchasing one, please send Debbie Martin a check

and I will mail it to you. If you are coming to Homecoming you can let me or Debbie know and I can bring it to

you. The sweatshirts are Unisex. Sizes Small through X Large are $27, 2X and above are $32. If you want it

mailed to you, please add an additional $5 for postage.

Thank you for all you do for our Department and our Veterans and continue to Light the Way for our veterans

to Catch the Dream.

Loyally,

Linda Bond, President, Department of Virginia

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Auxiliary members, you are the best! We now have 4 District that are 100%. Thank you for your hard work!

Please remember to report all your hard work. We are getting close to 100% reported for the Department; let’s

see if we can get this done by next report. Check for those that fly the flag at home, let me know, this counts as a

report. Have you recognized businesses or homes for flying their flag properly? If so, present them a certificate of

appreciation for their work.

This is flag etiquette month! This is also Heart Month – Valentine’s Day, and I am sure many more than I can

remember. Our Flag is our Nation's sign of freedom; it flies over our capital, our homes and our businesses. Our

flag is always close to our heart, so let us remember to teach others about how to protect and fly it correctly.

Our flag is the symbol that leads many young men and women home from battle, it lights the way for Veterans to

come home. Our flag holds memories of those gone on before us; it helps to catch their dreams as they pass by.

Our flag is a most special sign to those who have served to protect and secure our freedoms.

Make sure you check the flag etiquette rules and pass them on to others. Do a presentation at your school, Scout

meeting, Ruritan meeting and Sunday school classes – not just the children but the adults also. There are many

places you can visit and do a flag etiquette presentation, try one, they are easy to do and fun

Carry a flag in your car and stop by the library at reading time and talk to the children about the meaning of the

flag. Talk about the number of stripes and what they stand for, the colors of the flag and the meanings behind

each color and why there are 50 stars on the flag. There are so many things you can teach the children and they

will remember.

Remember to plan your family fun event before the 15th of April. That needs to be reported by then, as of now we

have one Auxiliary that has held a family event. Family events are for the whole Veteran family, spouse, children

and grandchildren. Families are important to our Veterans and they are important to the Auxiliaries and the Post.

Do a family function and let me know what fun you had.

I received several reports at the Winter Conference, thank you for those reports. Please check the Auxiliaries not

reported and let me know if I missed yours. Call me or email me and let me know. I will double check for the

report and fix my mistake.

Americanism is not something we do, it is who we are. You do all the hard work so, please get credit for it.

We are the beacons that light the way for our Veterans. They need a safe refuge to share their memories and hear

from others. We help them catch their dreams with help when needed. We are there to help our Veterans at all

times through thick and thin. We are also there to help provide an event that is fun and enjoyable. Just remember

our Veterans are the reason we exist, we are there for them.

Judy Goodbar, Chairman

865 Toad Run, Lexington, VA 24450

540-463-4056 [email protected] or [email protected]

Americanism




Update on the banner statistics as of January 16, 2018 is as follows: For the District Schools of Instruction: I have not heard from: Districts: 11 and 12.

For District Meeting Attendance: I have not heard from: Districts 11 and 12.

For District Dues: I have not heard from: Districts 11 and 12.

District Presidents, please get your District Secretary to send me the attendance lists and the District Treasurer

to send me the list of auxiliaries within their district who paid the district dues on time. I am receiving the

information about the programs and the audits from the Communications Reports.

Remember, the dates that are concrete are the dates the audits are due to the Department Treasurer, the date

the District dues are to be sent to the District Treasurer, and the Program Reports are due to the chairmen. If

we report the work we do as an Auxiliary we will be 100 percent reported in all areas. We are putting forth the

effort; it is just the pesky paperwork that is causing problems. Remember, a job is never finished until the

paperwork is completed.

Membership: 100% + 1 member. Audit: Last Quarter to Department Treasurer by 31 January 2018

Reports are due to the Chairmen. The more you report, the better the Department does at National!

Hospital: Did you volunteer or visit someone? Remember to report it to the Chairman -- her program deals

with more than just monetary donations.

Youth: Did you do anything with youth groups over the holidays? Report it!

Veterans and Family Support: Did you participate in Wreaths Across America and/or decorate graves for the

season? Report it!

Legislative: Did you sign up for Action Corps Weekly or vote? Report it!

Americanism: Did you conduct a Flag program at a school? Report it!

Scholarship: Did you report your VOD and Patriot Pen participation? Did you publicize the Continuing

Education and Patriotic Art Scholarships? Report it!

Cathy Graham, Banner Chairman

703-319-0845

[email protected] or [email protected]

Banner




Notices since last report – send cards of support to our fellow members!

Sympathy David Goldstein – Wife Arlene passed. 302 Rutherglen Muse, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Peter Gebelein – Passed Member of Post 4809, 1709 Woodcliff Circle, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5741

Betty Perry – Passed. Send cards to Springwood Baptist Church, 28 Copps Hill Road, Buchanan, VA 24066

Shirley Basley – Passed. Cards c/o Reed Basley, 8530 Hicks Island Rd., Lenexa, VA 23089

Get Well Grace Tesoro: 67 Sowder Farm Rd., Troutville VA 24175 – Aux 1841

Betty Jo Bryant: 6008 Cathedral Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 24407

Thinking of You Please send me an e-mail if you want to be on the distribution list for Chaplain alerts. To ensure that the alerts

go out in a timely fashion, please provide all of the following information:

Full name of individual

Full address

Auxiliary Number

C/O of who should receive the cards if that applies

Any information that you wish to be shared with the alert.

If you want the alert out right away, please send me an e-mail, if possible.

Statewide additionally reported communications: 1401 cards sent, 2355 calls made, 2536 e-mails sent, 401 visits to the sick and 165 funeral visitations. Thanks

for all the reports coming in and thank you for taking such good care of one another in times of need!

Any questions, I am available.

God bless,

MAGGIE MYERS, CHAPLAIN 2017-2018

[email protected]

434-242-3826

https://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/b/[email protected]


Chief of Staff/Extension

Promotion No. 5

We had a great Winter Conference and if you missed it, you missed a good time with our

Auxiliary Sisters and Brothers and lots of good information was shared. I was very

pleased to present five Good Job Award Certificates. One was to Dawn Kuhn, President of

Auxiliary 1994, one to Dinah Doyle, President of Auxiliary 392 and one to Karla Coker,

President of Auxiliary 1503. I also presented one to Cheri Sizemore who is the

Department Conductress and also the administrator of our website, Facebook page and

our Twitter account. She does a wonderful job. If you have anything that you would like

to share about what your Auxiliary is doing, send the information to Cheri

([email protected]) and she will share it with all of us. We also presented one to

Sammie Jo Smith (age 10) for assistance with our fund raising project. Our youth are

always glad to help and it is nice to present them with a Good Job Award. Everyone likes

to hear “Thank You”. If you have someone in your Auxiliary that you feel is doing an

outstanding job, please send me the information. I would love to give out many more

certificates in June.

I have received many reports that you are using the Healthy Auxiliary questionnaire.

Have you thought about using it at one of your District meetings? This is a very good way

to see if there are any suggestions on how to improve the meeting.

If you have not checked out the various topics under the Resources on the National

website (www.vfwauxiliary.org), please do so. There is SO much available information to

share with your members. You can print the information and then review it with your

members. Don’t just give them the paperwork for them to read because most of the time,

we just put the information aside and say we will read it later and of course, we forget

about it.

National Headquarters has two awards for Members and two awards for Auxiliaries in

each Department. The nomination forms are on the National website or you can contact

me and I will send them to you. I can nominate one member or Auxiliary for each award

and it must be at National Headquarters by March 31, 2018. The awards are:


http://www.vfwauxiliary.org/


1. Extension Award for Members No. 1 – Catch the Dream for Our Veterans Keepsake to one member in each Department who assists in revitalizing his/her Auxiliary and who uses the Healthy Auxiliary materials.

2. Extension Award for Members No. 2 – Special National President’s Coin to one member in each Department who demonstrates the best mentoring in his/her Auxiliary and/or Department.

3. Extension Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Catch the Dream for Our Veterans Citation to one Auxiliary in each Department that best used publicity, i.e., radio/TV/social media, in forming their Auxiliary or revitalizing their Auxiliary. The Auxiliary President MUST sign this form.

4. Extension Award for Auxiliaries No. 2 – Catch the Dream for Our Veterans Citation to one Auxiliary in each Department that implements the CARE Mentoring Program or some other mentoring program. The Auxiliary President MUST sign this form.

I will be giving a $25.00 award and citation to the Auxiliary that implements the CARE

Mentoring Program, or some other mentoring program, and a $25.00 award and citation

to the Auxiliary that established a Greeting/Mentoring Committee for new or other

members needing support and knowledge.

Below is a quote from the National Chief of Staff Jane Ziebarth that we should all think

about.

I have learned you don’t have to be afraid of change. You don’t have to worry about what’s

been taken away, just look what has been added.

Betty Gimble

80 Winter Wheat Lane

Fredericksburg, VA 22406

703-851-5819





“Catch the Dream for Our Veterans” National President Dee Guillory

“Light the Way for Our Veterans” Department President Linda Bond

Thank you for sending in pictures of your holiday events, Winter Council, and other Auxiliary

Events. Please keep sending them in, as many reports/pictures that you have!

Auxiliary 8046 Toys for Tots Fundraiser

When submitting photos please include:

Auxiliary or District Number

Type of Event (i.e. meeting, party, fundraiser, poppy drive, etc.)

Who (names of individuals in photo)

Date (or Month) of Photo

*If sending in original photos, please DO NOT write on the back of the photo*

** Please remember to include photos along with your report so I can include them in President

Linda’s books for memories of all the hard work you all have done this year.**

E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Flickr link to upload: https://www.flickr.com/groups/vavfwauxphotos/

Mail: Vicki Butler, Dept. Historian

4178 Thistle Circle, VA Beach, VA 23462


https://www.flickr.com/groups/vavfwauxphotos/


Volunteers wear working boots but leave a trail of angel footsteps.

- Terri Guillemets

February 11-17 – Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week – the purpose is to pay tribute

and express appreciation to Veterans. It helps to increase community awareness of the

role of the VA Medical Center, to encourage visits to hospitalized Veterans and to

become involved as volunteers. For more information go to:

https://www.volunteer.va.gov/NationalSaluteVeteranPatients.asp Even though this

is a VA Medical Center event you can do this at the medical facility or nursing home

that you support.

There are some dates coming up that have party written all over it…..Valentine’s

Day…plan a sweetheart party. Involve youth groups to make cards…."Love a

Veteran…..Thank a Veteran". Make this day as part of Salute to Hospitalized Veterans

Week.

Now is the time to start planning your celebrations for those outstanding volunteers that

have been making a difference all year. The following are the directions to the VFW

Auxiliary website where you can find information for volunteer service pins and

certificates.

https://vfwauxiliary.org

Go to About Us Tab; there is a drop down; click on National Ambassadors; click on

Hospital This will show the National Ambassador’s promotion, as well as links for

resources. Click on “Access Hospital Program Resources” (at bottom of the page).

This will take you to the National Program Book as well as links to resources for

ALL of the Auxiliary programs. For Hospital (scroll down – on left hand side of the

screen) the following information is available. VFW Auxiliary Hospital Volunteer

Service Pin Application Form (Fillable); Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Certificate

Option 1; Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Certificate Option 2

Don’t forget your nomination for Outstanding Hospital Volunteer of the Year. The

form is available through the link given above or at the Department website. I do need

to receive your nominations no later than March 1, 2018. ALSO, don’t forget VAVS

representatives are eligible for this award.

https://www.volunteer.va.gov/NationalSaluteVeteranPatients.asp

https://vfwauxiliary.org/

https://vfwauxiliary.org/wp-content/uploads/Fillable-Hospital-Pins-Application-Form.pdf

https://vfwauxiliary.org/wp-content/uploads/Fillable-Hospital-Pins-Application-Form.pdf

https://vfwauxiliary.org/wp-content/uploads/FILLABLE-Hospital-Appreciation-Certificate-1.pdf




As a reminder, National President Dee Guillory and Commander-in-Chief Keith

Harman have joined together to promote their special project: Mental Health

Awareness. This goes hand in hand with Suicide Awareness. We need to demand

better mental health care for our veterans in hopes that this will reduce the number of

veterans committing suicide each day. Make your voice heard!!! So please

beware……know the signs.

Don’t forget awards at the Department Convention in June. The first will be for

those Auxiliaries that submitted 3 or more reports for: Volunteering or recruiting new

volunteers; or sponsoring a special event at a VA or non-VA facility; or recognizing

volunteers; or using publicity and/or media to recruit volunteers; or involving the

community with the hospital program…..award $50.00. Second prize will be awarded

to the Auxiliary with the best promotion of Veteran and Military Suicide Awareness….

award $75.00.

My favorite three words…..REPORT…..REPORT….REPORT!!

Carol Vangi, Department Chairman

1024 Hullview Ave.

Norfolk, VA 23503

Telephone 757-621-5519

e-mail: [email protected]

or [email protected]




Sisters and Brothers;

WHAT WE DO:

VFW Auxiliary members are instrumental in assisting the VFW pass or block legislation that

impacts veterans and their families. Each year, members contact legislators to share our views

regarding such legislation with them and invite them to share their positions on veterans’ issues; we

hold legislators accountable for honoring America’s promises to our nation’s veterans.

THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM: Promotes the VFW Priority Goals

The Priority Goals reflect the resolutions passed by the VFW to strengthen and ensure an

adequate VA system for millions of current and future veterans. They call for much needed

attention to crises and are grouped under eight areas of concern:

Budget

Work Force Development and Accountability

Health Care

Compensation and Benefits

Education, Employment and Transition Assistance

Defense/Homeland Security

Military Quality of Life

POW/MIA

Promotes Action Corps

Stay informed and up-to-date on issues facing our veterans, our military and their families by

signing up to receive the VFW’s Action Corps Weekly e-newsletter. The VFW Action Corps is

free and open to all patriotic Americans who care about the military and veterans’

communities.

Please encourage all citizens to contact legislators regarding issues impacting veterans and their

families.

Loyally,

Judy Lupole, Legislative Chairman 2017-2018

1245 Quarter Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

757-581-2702

[email protected]

Legislative

http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm



Hello my Valentine Sweethearts,

Do you know who our real sweethearts are? Our veterans of course! One way we can

show how much we love them is by increasing our membership. Our numbers count

greatly in protecting and promoting their benefits.

Congratulations to all auxiliaries that are 100% in membership!

Don’t forget the plus 1. For our banner you need 100% plus 1.

Great job! Keep up the good work.

The great Department of Virginia has made our 1st and 2nd quarter quotas for new and

reinstated members set by National. We need 155 to meet the 3rd quarter quota.

Please keep up the good work.

If you have members that did not pay their dues by Dec. 31st, check with them, let them

know you care about them. Tell them how important they are to the Auxiliary. Give

them a call or drop them a card to check on them.

Have you looked at your list of former members to see if maybe you can reinstate them?

It may be cold and snowy now, but spring is coming. Spring in to action and work on

membership. When you are warm and toasty at home, drinking hot tea or hot chocolate

or even a hot toddy, pick up the phone and call some of your lapsed members. You

might just make their day.

Have you recruited or rejoined at least 5 members? If so, don’t forget to send in for

your Catch Five Pin.

We need to work extra hard to make our Department 100% plus 1 in membership. We

need to shine for our own National President Dee and also our lovely Department

President Linda. Also, we need to “Catch the Dream for Our Veterans” and “Light

the Way for Our Veterans”. Remember they are our sweethearts.


District Standing as of 1-26-2018

District

6-30-17

Totals

1-26-18

Totals Percentage Place

1 301 243 80.73% 12th Place

2 1293 1278 98.83% 3rd Place

3 1069 1023 95.69% 6th Place

4 405 369 91.11% 8th Place

5 234 223 95.29% 7th Place

6 294 248 84.35% 11th Place

7 944 940 99.57% 2nd Place

8 222 216 97.29% 5th Place

9 861 740 85.94% 10th Place

10 1397 1392 99.64% 1st Place

11 468 405 86.53% 9th Place

12 170 119 68.00% 13th Place

13 476 468 98.31% 4th Place

Members At Large 393 463 117.81%

Department's Total 8,532 8,127 95.25%

405 Members for 100%

Marcia Semones, Membership and Leadership Chairman

848 Silverleaf Road, Dugspur, Va. 24325

276-733-2400




Recruitment Moment – First

Impression

When recruiting, remember “first impressions” are critical to a prospective member’s decision to join or not join our organization. A research report from Harris Interactive reveals that 87% of members state they will never go back to an organization after a “negative” experience. When introducing a prospective member to your Auxiliary, be mindful of “the messenger” as well as “the message.” Always remember that prospective members have a choice in which organizations they support – give them a reason to choose us!

Patricia Jurgensen

National Certified Recruiter Trainer

703-754-1244


A single negative experience can have a major impact on how individuals view our benefits, our programs, our reputation, and – most importantly – how we treat each other as members.


Operation Renewed Hope Foundation (ORHF) is President Linda Bond's Special Project this year. I know that

the Department of Virginia will do our part in helping to put an end to Veteran Homelessness.

April 7, 2018: 6th Annual ORHF Purple and Gold Gala

Save this date, there will be more details about ORHF’s 6th Annual Purple and Gold Gala at the Army Navy

Country Club in Arlington, Virginia.

Another of many ORHF success stories: Sharon Neil, 56, spent many cold nights sleeping outside a

Woodbridge shopping center two years ago. Who could be prepared for pancreatic cancer? She had surgery

and then chemotherapy. She had to give up her job at a church. She told no one she was homeless. Then she

just started walking. She wound up at the shopping center which has a library where she would often

sit. Sometimes she sat at the bus stop pretending she had somewhere to go. After two months of being

homeless, she reached a breaking point and finally told her church. She eventually was connected with

Operation Renewed Hope Foundation whose mission is to end veteran homelessness. They got her an

apartment, a car and she is hoping to find work soon. She's celebrating her stable health with purple balloons

(the color for pancreatic cancer awareness month) and her spirit is high.

So far there is only one District that is a 100% reported. I’m sure everyone will step it up!! I would love

to see all Districts 100% reported.

REPORT, REPORT, REPORT!!!

Loyally,

Fred Jennings

President Special Project Chairman

1246 Quarter Way

Virginia Beach, VA 23464

[email protected] TO:

Deborah J. Martin, Treasurer

539 Westwood Drive

Ruckersville, VA 22968

434-.985.7987

debva0506@gmail .com

President’s Special

What an awesome talk Deborah Snyder CEO of Operation Renewed Hope did at Winter Conference. If

you were not at Winter Conference, you missed hearing about the great work that ORHF does for our

Homeless Veterans. We did not do a Special Project March at this conference, but I do encourage you to do

one today by sending a personal donation or put a motion on the floor at your next meet meeting and mail to

our Department Treasurer. We will do a Special Project March in June, at the Convention.

https://operationrenewedhopefoundation.org/


https://operationrenewedhopefoundation.org/


Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

The winter conference was a success for our Voice of Democracy and our Patriot’s Pen winners.

I think they were all winners -- what a bright future they embody for our country and its future leaders.

Congratulations to our VOD and PATRIOT'S PEN WINNERS!

Continuing Education Scholarships While completing the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen competitions for this year our work is not

finished. Our next scholarship is Continuing Education. The application must be received by

National Headquarters by February 15th. This scholarship is open to any Auxiliary member

in good standing who has been a member for at least a year, as well as their spouses, sons or daughters

with a financial need. The entrant must be at least 18 years old, complete the application, and submit

an essay of 300 words or less.

Young American Creative Art Contest The last scholarship is Young American Creative Patriotic Art. The deadline is March 31 to the

local Auxiliary, and April 15 to the Department Chairman, {that’s me}. This is open

to all students 9-12 grade. Each art piece needs to be accompanied by the application and a brief

description of the patriotism being expressed. Please be sure each entry has followed the rules

regarding matting and no framing of the art.

Remember to ‘Catch the Dream for Our Veterans’ and that we need to 'Light the Way

for our Veterans’.

Kathy Birch, Scholarships Chairman

304 East Main St.

Berryville, VA, 22611-1306

540-539-5447


Due to the sudden passing of our beloved Sister Theressa Russell, Kathy Birch has agreed to Chair the Scholarships Program. As you know, Theressa served as both our Department Chairman for the

Scholarships Program and also as District 7 Auxiliary President.

We will dearly miss her sunny disposition and all that she did for our Veterans.

VOD PATRIOT’S PEN FIRST PLACE Emily R. Moore, Post 776 and Auxiliary Ethan Lee Avery, Post 2216

SECOND PLACE Michael L. Koch, Post 2216 Anya Ambarish, Post 1177 and Auxiliary

THIRD PLACE Timothy J. Cochran, Post 2044 Macon Landis, Post 7059 and Auxiliary




VETERANS & FAMILY SUPPORT

Greetings to everyone, hope you are staying warm while continuing all the great work you do for our

Veterans. I’d like to congratulate Auxiliary 9835 in Warrenton, District 8, for being the winner of my

$25 drawing. Every Auxiliary that turned in a report got an entry for each report sent. There will be

another drawing like this at June Convention, this time for $50, so get those reports in. Every report

earns you another entry into the drawing.

Don’t forget that President’s Day is coming up on February 19th. You can use this occasion to hold an

event to Celebrate and to Educate! Our Veterans & Family Support National Ambassador Karen

Dotson shared some great ideas for this:

Presidential Trivia with an Ice Cream and Cherry Pie Social

Invite Presidents Washington and Lincoln to visit for a Soup/Sandwich Luncheon or Spaghetti

Dinner

Some other creative ideas our National Ambassador had for this month are:

Game Day Goulash

Mardi Gras Family Feast and Fun

Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance or a Valentine Heart Healthy Luncheon

Super Bowl Football themed packages to our deployed service personnel

Winter warmth for our veterans and families (mittens, scarves, coats, boots, sweatshirts, hats)

It’s time to remember the BUDDY POPPY Display Contest!!

The Buddy Poppy Display contest is coming up in June at Department Convention and NOW is the

time to begin working on your project. This is also a great way to involve the youth and families in

your Post/Auxiliary. There are three (3) Categories which your display can qualify as:

1) Public Promotion – designed for public exposure, bear a message soliciting a donation for

or the wearing of the Buddy Poppy.

2) Memorial/Inspirational – designed to honor the dead, inspire devotion to God and Country

or dramatize activities supported by the Buddy Poppy.

3) Artistic/Decorative – Any display not matching either categories 1 or 2.

Rules for your Display entries are:

1) At least one (1) Buddy Poppy must be in its’ original form, color and have the label

attached.

2) Post/Auxiliary name, number or location may NOT be visible.

3) If using the American Flag, it must have all 50 stars and all 13 stripes visible.

4) If using the Military Flags they must be in proper order – American Flag on the left, then

Army, Marine Corp, Navy, Air Force then Coast Guard.

5) Your display MAY come with a WHITE 4x6 card with an explanation of the theme or other

information, the ink must be BLACK.

6) Your display entry form MUST include the Number of Buddy Poppies used.


7) You must fill out an entry form and submit it to me, the Veterans & Family Support

Program Chairman, by the entry deadline (June 8, 2018). Entry forms will be available on

the Department Website and in the April & May Department Communications.

I look forward to seeing lots of creative and beautiful displays in June. If you have any questions feel

free to contact me.

Have you encouraged your Post to become Family Friendly? By doing this you can invite entire

families to participate in activities to support our Veterans, active-duty service members and their

families. Other ways to help our Veterans can be by raking leaves, shoveling snow, hosting food

drives, stuffing goody bags for deployed troops, creating/signing Thank You cards, distributing Buddy

Poppies, and by Adopting-A-Unit for which you can host Welcome Home and Send Off events. This

leads me to this month's question:

QUESTION & ANSWER

Question: “Can my Auxiliary Adopt-A-Unit even if my Post is not interested?”

Answer: YES. Any Post or Auxiliary may Adopt-A-Unit through the VFW MAP Program.

Auxiliaries do NOT have to wait for their Post to Adopt-A-Unit although it would be beneficial to

have the Post join your efforts. For more information you can check out all of the details and answers

to frequently asked questions on the VFW website at: https://www.vfw.org/community/troop-support

If you have any additional questions, please contact the MAP office at (816) 756-3390. The Request

Form is also found on that page and can be faxed to MAP at (816) 968-2779, emailed to

[email protected], or mailed to VFW National Headquarters, Attn: MAP, 406 W 34th Street, Kansas City,

MO 64111.

If you have a question you would like to see in next month's program be sure to send it to me and

remember to REPORT, REPORT, REPORT EVERYTHING YOU DO!!! You can email me at my

DEPARTMENT EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] or my private email [email protected].

We WILL “Catch the Dream for Our Veterans”

and

“Light the Way for Our Veterans”

Cheri Sizemore

Veterans & Family Support Chairman 2017-2018 Program Goals

8208 Bowers Lane VFW National Veterans Service

Richmond, VA 23227 VFW Veterans & Military Support

804-328-2464 (home) “Buddy” Poppy Program

[email protected] VFW National Home for Children

[email protected]

https://www.vfw.org/community/troop-support






Sisters and Brothers:

I hope all of you are staying warm, with all the snow that a lot of us have received in the

first week of the year.

Many posts and auxiliaries planned community service projects throughout the holiday

season. Have you considered keeping these projects going? Many families in need are in

need year around. Remember that by involving our youth, we are also teaching them

values while we are involving them in our VFW Auxiliary activities. They will take this

lesson and gain a better understanding of the need to help others. Thank you and keep up

your great work.

Have you Painted Patriotic Rocks? Why not pick up some rocks and involve the youth in painting them. When the weather gets

nice everyone can hide them. This will allow our youth to have something to look forward to

and give you both an outing in the spring. Please make sure you put your Auxiliary number on

the rock, so people will know where the rock was painted. Please visit the following link for

ideas and the history of the Painted Rock Project: https://vfwauxiliary.org/youth-activities-

patriotic-painted-rock-project/

The Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans Citations! Several auxiliaries included the youth of their communities in holiday projects. Why not thank

them for their volunteerism? Go to the following site where you will be able to print

individual awards. You can also find the Citation Request for Group Awards on this site:

https://vfwauxiliary.org/wp-content/uploads/2016-2017-Youth-Groups-Supporting-Our-

Veterans-FILLABLE-REVISED_3.20.17.pdf Please show our youth your appreciation for

the time they have volunteered with our Auxiliaries!

All forms must be received No Later than April 10, 2018.

https://vfwauxiliary.org/youth-activities-patriotic-painted-rock-project/

https://vfwauxiliary.org/youth-activities-patriotic-painted-rock-project/


Veteran’s History Project! As of this reporting period, I have not received a single submission for the Veteran’s History

Report Project, not even a report that an auxiliary has actively started this project. As this is an

important project to get our youth involved, please do not let our Veteran’s Voices go unheard!

This will also allow our youth to understand what our Veterans experienced during their time

in the service, while also giving our Veterans social time with the youth. The information is

located at https://www.loc.gov/vets/about.htm

Please remember to REPORT, REPORT and REPORT! I would like to have more reports

showing what wonderful work each Auxiliary and youth are doing for our Veterans in

Virginia!

Kim Lawson 15594 Cape Fear Lane King George, VA 22485

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 540-604-6397

http://www.loc.gov/vets/about.htm%20l



What is a Cancer Grant and how as a member do I apply?

The VFW Auxiliary offers cancer grants to members who are battling cancer.

Eligibility requirements:

• Applicant must be a member of the VFW Auxiliary for

one (1) full year.

• Current dues must be paid before applying for a cancer

grant.

• After twelve (12) months have passed from date of

diagnosis or last treatment, application will not be

accepted.

• A member is allowed two (2) grants during lifetime.

Twelve (12) months must elapse between new diagnosis

and/or treatment from date of first grant for a second

application to be considered. Continuous treatment which

lasts beyond the twelve (12) month period will qualify for

a second grant.

• Application will be rejected if member has been

deceased for longer than 30 days.

The grant amount is currently $550.00 and funds are paid directly to the member or, in

the case of a deceased member, to their estate. Funds are dispersed 2-4 weeks following

the acceptance and approval of the completed and signed application. Please read the

instructions carefully before submitting an application. The most common reason an

application is denied is due to missing information from either the member or physician.

Questions? Contact National Headquarters at 816-561-8655.

Ellen Stogsdill

6770 Chartwell Drive,

Virginia Beach, VA

23464

757-777-7194

[email protected]

[email protected]




Check out the VFW Auxiliary Department of Virginia Website:

http://myvfwaux.org/virginia/

Information is updated on the website each week so check back often!

We LOVE input from you, the members, so if there is anything new you would like to see or if

you find something incorrect please contact the webmaster at:

[email protected]

The Department of Virginia VFW Auxiliary is on FACEBOOK

We have a Department Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/VFWAUXVA/

We also have a Facebook GROUP – which is used to post more private information.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LAVFW.VA/

As a member of the Virginia Auxiliary you may post to the Facebook Page or Group, but please

remember your posts should only promote the Auxiliary or our Active-duty Military and their

families, not personal businesses, etc.

The Department of Virginia VFW Auxiliary is now on TWITTER

http://twitter.com/vfwauxiliaryva

The Department of Virginia VFW Auxiliary is now on INSTAGRAM

http://instagram.com/vfwauxiliaryofvirginia

Cheri Sizemore

Webmaster 804-328-2464 (home) [email protected]

http://myvfwaux.org/virginia/


https://www.facebook.com/VFWAUXVA/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LAVFW.VA/

http://twitter.com/vfwauxiliaryva

http://instagram.com/vfwauxiliaryofvirginia



State Commander's

and

President’s Homecoming

March 10, 2018 Battlefield Post 9808

7168 Flag Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Cocktails at 5 p.m. (Open bar) Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

DJ at 8 p.m. (Cash bar)

RSVP for Commander not later than March 2nd Geoffrey Lyster – [email protected]

RSVP for President not later than March 2nd Ellie Smith – (703) 791-5110

or Betty Gimble – 703-851-5819

Hotel Reservations must be made not later than February 16th Holiday Inn Express Mechanicsville

7441 Bell Creek Road Mechanicsville, VA 23111

(804) 559-0022 (804) 559-6810

www.himechanicsville.com Double Beds: $135.00/night King Beds: $91.00/night


http://www.himechanicsville.com/


DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT LINDA BOND 2017-18

NAVY BLUE SWEAT SHIRT Light the Way for Our Veterans

Please Type or Print

Name

Address

City/State/Zip Code

Phone Number

Email

Auxiliary

How many? UNISEX SIZES:

Small $27.00

Medium $27.00

Large $27.00

X Large $27.00

2X Large $32.00

3X Large $32.00

4X Large $32.00

Total Number of Sweatshirts

$ Total

Shipping

$ Total Amount Paid

Make checks payable to: Auxiliary VFW of Virginia and mail them to: DEBBIE MARTIN, DEPARTMENT TREASURER

539 WESTWOOD DRIVE

RUCKERSVILLE, VA 22968

If shipping is requested, there is an additional $5.00 fee on each shirt. Or, send a check to our

Department Treasurer and pick up the order in January at Conference.

Have you purchased your Raffle ticket for the Rifle? If enough tickets are sold, drawing will be at the

Department Commander/President’s Homecoming.



Auxiliaries Not Reported as of 1-30-18

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiulo_plbHWAhUQ92MKHX6WA8EQjRwIBw&url=http://makefreedom.com/contact-us/&psig=AFQjCNGYrDxCksxCNxXi0_MmMkZ3U9OkoQ&ust=1505907679382471



VFW AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA BANNER REPORT AS OF JANUARY 26 , 2018

4TH QUARTER

ACCEPTED AUDIT

Oct -Dec 2017

Must be in the Department

Treasurer’s Office

By 1-31-2018


VFW AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA BANNER REPORT AS OF JANUARY 26, 2018

(continued)

4TH QUARTER

ACCEPTED AUDIT

Oct -Dec 2017



By 1-31-2018


VFW AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA

BANNER REPORT AS OF JANUARY 26, 2018

(continued)

4TH QUARTER

ACCEPTED AUDIT

Oct -Dec 2017



By 1-31-2018


VFW AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA

BANNER REPORT AS OF JANUARY 26, 2018

(continued)

4TH QUARTER

ACCEPTED AUDIT

Oct -Dec 2017



By 1-31-2018

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