April May June 2010 Black Jack Newsletter has been uploaded.
Posted by Chrystina Tovani on March 14, 2010
April May June 2010 Black Jack Newsletter with Calendar
April May June 2010 Calendar Only
Sphere: Related ContentPershing Dinner this Friday!
Posted by Chrystina Tovani on September 9, 2009
The VFW Post 4647 will be hosting a birthday dinner in honor of General John J. Pershing, who the post is named after.
Dinner begins at 6PM and you will have a choice of Steak or Scampi. Cost per dinner is $10
Live Music by: River City Dance begins at 7PM
General John Joseph Pershing was born September 13, 1860. His autobiography, My Experience of War, was published in 1931, winning the Pulitzer Prize for history in 1932. John Joseph Pershing died on 15 July 1948 in Washington, D.C.
Click here to listen to a speech given by Pershing during wartime in 1918 entitled From the Battlefields of France.
Afghanistan/Iraq War Veterans need a bigger slice of that pie!
Posted by Chrystina Tovani on September 3, 2009
Let’s start off with the Demographic. Do you know who our members are?
The majority of membership (554,104 members) to the VFW is made up by Vietnam war veterans whose ages range between 56 and 73. World War ll vets whose age ranges 82+ make up the second largest of the VFW population with 435,439 members. Third is the Korean War veterans whose ages range between 74-81 and include 294,271 members. Forth is the 1991 Persian Gulf War/Iraq/Afghanistan veterans whose ages range between 36-55 and include 161,214 members. The Afghanistan/Iraq War veterans make up the minority of membership with only 70,620 members. The age range for the Afghanistan/Iraq War veterans is between 19 and 35.
I read about this in the article, “Who Are Our Members?“, in the VFW magazine.
It made me wonder how we can recruit the younger generation of veterans. We certainly need them in order to carry on the traditions and community service our organization provides. The article said that they don’t have as much trouble recruiting as they do in maintaining membership.
So what does that say about the individual VFW posts?
I guess it all depends on what kind of things the post does to make being a part of it rewarding and fun.
VFW Post 4647 is always busy with fun activities, fundraisers, volunteering/community events. The members are like one big extending family. Every week there is something fun going on to bring folks together. The people are so friendly, new members are always welcomed and introduced and made to feel right at home.
Nobody can be lonely when they participate in the VFW activities. There is always good company in the canteen. We do have younger members too. The VFW has grown and evolved with the times. Whenever I meet a young man or woman who has served in the Iraq/Afghanistan war, I always let them know why they should join the VFW.
We have special events all the time. We don’t need a reason! We have BBQs – potlucks all through out the year. Joining the VFW just for friendship is in itself a huge bonus.
A short list of activities include: There is a horseshoe league. There is a sign up sheet in the post so that members can get together every Wednesday for a game of golf. Every Friday night there is a dinner and dance. Usually live music but sometimes a DJ. On Saturday nights we have karaoke in the canteen. That’s always a lot of fun! On Sunday mornings there is breakfast that starts at 9AM.
The post and it’s affiliated auxiliary members work really hard on projects to support the military and community. Many hours are donated visiting hospitals and care homes. Raising money for cancer research and much more. It’s a place that offers many rewarding possibilities.
Last Saturday the Ladies Auxiliary gave a tea party/fashion show to raise money. It was a huge success and had a great turn out of people.
This coming Saturday (September 5th) is the annual MIA/POW luncheon given to honor those veterans missing in action and the prisoners of war. There will be some honorary guests and speakers at the event.
On Saturday, September 12th, the VFW will be hosting a vendor/craft fair. We are expecting a great turn out for this event as we will have almost 20 vendors with everything you can imagine from dog treats to purses.
There is also a golf tournament coming up. Info is on the website.
We just held our calendar meeting last Monday and there are a lot of activities planned through the holidays.
Membership to the VFW is something every qualified veteran should take advantage of. It is an honor and a priviledge to be part of such an wonderful, giving, supportive organization.
I think that the reason we may have a shortage of the younger veterans right now is because they are busy on Active duty. But I do hope they will join us when they get the first opportunity.
The VFW is also a great support system for spouses and families of active duty personal who are over in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Spread the word! When you meet a young veteran. Let them know why they should become a member of this great organization. Maybe they don’t know. That’s why we need to make it our mission to tell them.
Let’s give them a larger slice of the pie!
POW/MIA Luncheon, Sept. 5, 2009
Posted by Chrystina Tovani on September 1, 2009
POW/MIA
Luncheon – To honor prisoners or war and missing in action veterans.
There will be guest speakers and entertainment.
Tickets are $10/person
September 5th
12pm
Sphere: Related ContentVFW Post 4647 is hosting a Vendor and Craft Fair
Posted by Chrystina Tovani on
VFW Post 4647 is hosting a Vendor and Craft Fair on Saturday September 12, 2009 from 10 am to 4pm.
We will have every kind of vendor you can think of (or at least that is our goal). We are serving lunch for a nominal fee and we will have a raffle. Raffle will take place throughout the day and you do not have to be present to win.
Sphere: Related ContentThreads for Vets Campaign by Kathleen Schulz
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
Purpose To support the Sacramento Stand Down on September 12-14, 2008 for our homeless Veterans in the collection of new and nearly new denim pants for distribution during this event.
Goal The collection of 500 new and nearly new denim pants in waist sizes 28 to 36 by the end of August 2008.
How You Can Help
· Become an Angels for Veterans member by committing to donating at least 10 items in the next three months.
· Spread the word and solicit clothing (pants) donations from friends, family and neighbors.
· Donate cash and gift cards to clothing retailers and we will do the shopping for you.
Contact for More Information Kathleen Schulz (916) 624-4687 or (916) 749-2710 Mgrateful4u@sbcglobal.net
* This charitable campaign is in support of the Sacramento Stand Down and not affiliated with any other organization. For more information and history on Stand Downs please visit www.nchv.org. Thank you for your support!
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Click here to download and print the flyer: threads-for-vet-campaign-flyer1
