Posted by Chrystina Tovani on April 16, 2010
VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled, needy and aging veterans in VA Hospitals, State Veterans Homes and Domiciliaries across the country. The majority of proceeds derived from each campaign conducted by VFW Posts and their Auxiliaries is retained locally to provide for veteran services and welfare. The minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assembled the Poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs, and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and widows of our nation’s veterans.
Buddy Poppy proceeds represent no profit to any VFW unit. All money contributed by the public for Buddy Poppies is used in the cause of veterans welfare, or for the well being of their needy dependents and the orphans of veterans. Courtesy of VFW National Buddy Poppy Department
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Posted by Chrystina Tovani on December 7, 2009
We are putting together care packages for the troops.
We have a donation can at the post.
We also have donation jars on the bar at the canteen to help pay for postage. The boxes cost $11.95 per box.
We have collected 7000 candy canes and 120 boxes of Keebler cookies, plus drink mix,
beef jerky, gum and other misc items. We have 6 post members serving over there right now.
Some items you can donate:
- Hand Sanitizer-travel size
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Posted by Chrystina Tovani on July 20, 2009
My parents are life members of the post and the LAVFW. They live in Clyde, TX but are maintaining membership at our post. They started a campaign 2 years ago to send packages to Camp Bucca, the largest internment camp in Iraq.
My sister, Major Julie Pitvorec, had toured the Camp and was informed that the troops there were not receiving any packages from home. If a package is not sent to a specific individual it gets returned.
So that started the packages. At first my parents, Bobbie and Vern Glenn, absorbed the cost themselves. Their Church, Clyde Baptist, jumped in to help with the cost of shipping. The ladies Auxiliary sent $200 and the Post donated $300. They have sent 500 packages over the past 2 years. 75% or better have been sent to Camp Bucca; the other packages have been sent by special request to other people that are stationed over there. Mom and Daddy get requests all the time to send packages. They honor all they can.
They get donations from local businesses and from individuals, what is not donated is purchased by them. They use Tootsie Rolls, Lollipops and Bubble Gum as packing. Thousands of boxes of drink mixes have made it there and dozens of cookies have been baked. They will come home from Church or an outing and something will be sitting on the front stoop to send.
I am very proud of my parents. I am sure they feel great satisfaction for the work they are doing but I cannot even imagine how many lives they have touched with box after box being sent every week.
Cristy Peterson
VFW Post 4647 is actively sending care packages to our troops over seas. If you would like to help or make a donation contact Cristy Peterson.
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Posted by Chrystina Tovani on March 2, 2009
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4647 is proudly sponsoring the 43rd Annual North Highlands/Antelope Community Memorial Day Parade, one of the oldest and largest Memorial Day Parades in the Greater Sacramento Area. The parade begins at 10:00 am and starts at the corner of Watt Avenue and I Street, at the Family Community Church. The parade route goes south on Watt Avenue from I Street to A Street.
The theme for the parade this year is “LAND OF THE FREE – BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE,” recognizing all those who have served this great nation, and those who are serving today, in whatever capacity, to insure the ideals of American Freedom will continue to thrive.
There will be local dignitaries, marching bands, classic cars, youth groups, service organizations, equestrian units, and any others who wish to participate.
Entry into the parade is free.
First, second and third place trophies will be awarded in each category listed on the Parade Entry Form. A “Judges Choice” trophy will also be awarded.
¨ PARADE THEME: Land Of The Free – Because Of The Brave
¨ PARADE DATE: Monday, 25 May 2009
¨ FORMATION TIME: 8:00 AM
¨ START TIME: 10:00 AM
¨ APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, 18 May 2009
AWARDS: Trophies will be awarded in each category. A participation ribbon will be given to each individual participating in the parade.
If anyone is interested in participating or helping in the parade, applications and information may be requested by downloading from the links below or by calling Barbara Fowler, Parade Coordinator at (916)267-3812.
Download BOTH forms:
parade-participants-invitation-letter-20092
participants-entry-form20091
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Posted by Chrystina Tovani on July 12, 2008
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The Threads for Vets Campaign Story
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Little did we know that one simple act of volunteering for the Sacramento Stand Down would manifest into The Threads for Vets Campaign.
Kim and I checked in at the volunteer desk and were instructed to head over to the clothing section where our help would be needed for the next three hours. Mike, who was in charge of this area, greeted us warmly and quickly put us to work. Kim and I were briefed by Nan who told us the homeless Veterans would be coming over in groups once they were checked into their tents. They were allowed one pair of pants and shorts each and we would greet and help in any way in the selection process.
We began sorting pants onto piles already laid out on tables by waist size. Nan explained that by the end of the weekend, all of the pants in the 30, 32, 34 and 36 waist sizes would be gone. We waited in anticipation as the first wave of Veterans came through the clothes distribution line. First, the Veterans received new socks, towels, underwear, soap and deodorant. As each man approached, we asked “what size of pants would you like and what type”. Most replied they needed one of the smaller sizes and were looking for jeans, kakis or cargo style pants. One man picked out some black jeans however they were a couple of inches too short. “I’m sure there must be another pair in this pile that would be the right length.” To our dismay, there wasn’t any but the Vet replied “that’s okay these will work out just fine, thank you”. There were a handful of new pants and the rest were all donated used clothing. As more groups came through, the same scenario played out over and over again. The jeans in the smaller sizes were gone in the first couple of hours. There were a lot of pants, but not in the right sizes and types. I know people mean well when they donate clothing, but let’s face it, the angel flight, nylon, checkered look went out of style quite a long time ago.
The shorts available were piled on two folding chairs. As the sizes ranged from a 30 to 50 plus waist size, it was evident that very few of the 400 plus Veterans serviced over the weekend would get shorts.
The response from the Veterans was always one of appreciation and gratitude. For some, these are the only new clothes they receive all year. It was humbling, as I think of my closet full of clothes.
As the end of our shift approached, new volunteers arrived and we filled them in on the process. Kim and I left with a new prospective on the life of our homeless Veterans and vowed that we would try to make a difference by supporting the Sacramento Stand Down to improve the quality and selection in this area for the following year. Our Veterans have sacrificed so much for us, couldn’t we offer them some new pants and shorts to choose from?
We checked with the assistant director of the Sacramento Stand Down Association, and pitched our plan. Mary Lou agreed this would be a great addition to the Stand Down, as they did not have the needed funds or storage for new pants and shorts. The Threads for Vets Campaign was born.
Threads For Vets Campaign 2008
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Click here to download and print the flyer: threads-for-vet-campaign-flyer1
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