Due to an email program failure, she has lost all her messages. She stated that she had received  a couple of email pertaining the Little Miss Poppy Contest. So she is encouraging anyone who contacted her to please contact her again.  She wants to stress that this is the reason for not returning the requested information.

She can be reached at pat52736@verizon.net

What Can I Do?

Programs  that seem to help and have the best features  are “transitional housing with the camaraderie of living in structured, substance-free environments with fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves.”  This is exactly what the American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation is providing for the male and female veterans in our area.

How can the community and the American Legion Family help the veterans through the Homeless Corporation?  It is a non-profit organization – it is veterans helping veterans. It enhances the quality of life for the veteran and their families.  It provides clean transitional housing.  It helps them become productive citizens by helping them obtain a good, decent job and become taxpaying citizens. The AL Homeless Corp. 3 areas with housing; Moon Township,  Philadelphia and Ephrata.

The Corporation is responsible for the maintenance and repairs to the buildings, along with any needed remolding.  Where do the funds come from?  One manner is the annual dinner.  On January 14, 2012 in Moon Township at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport dinner will be served.   For the amount of $25.00 for a great meal, a person can help homeless veterans find a home. 

For more information and purchasing dinner tickets, The American Legion Homeless Dinner.

It is that time of year once again…. Christmas time.  The American Legion Auxiliary is once again asking for your support in making a veteran’s Christmas a little more cheery.  The Santa Fund is in need of donations.  Each and every hospitalized veterans receives a gift.   These gifts cost is $5.00 per patient.  The American Legion provides $3.00 of this cost.  The American Legion Auxiliary contributes $2.00.  Along with this small token, a poinsettia is also given.

In this economic situation, the fund is in need of monetary donations.  The Santa Fund and the many veterans that benefit are asking for Units to respond in kind.  Please check your budgets, any amount – no matter how big or small, will be very much appreciated.  The Unit’s Poppy Funds may be used for this cause.

The Holiday Hospital Tour has been set.  The dates will go from December 3rd until December 9th, 2010.  Our Department President Bev and VA&R Chairman BJ are urging, if you have free time to please join them in this Christmas celebration of thanks.  It is a splendid and enjoyable time to not only offer the small gift but also to say “Thank you for serving our country.”  Receiving is done on both sides, veterans and visitor.  Many stories are shared and history learned.  It is a time to stop all the hustle and bustle of the season and to give something back to our soildiers and sailors who gave so much for us.  It is a time to say “thank you and you were not forgotten” during this special season.  The veterans may obtain a present but the visitors receive so much more by hearing the gratitude in the veteran’s words.

The Santa Form can be viewed/printed here.

The Christmas Hospital Tour may be printed here.

 We recently got a quote from Lowes for two gas stoves which we now have the funds to purchase.

 We also have ongoing needs for bedding, and other types of linens and cleaning supplies.  You can contact me regarding these items.

 Make your checks out to “PA American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans” earmarked for “household needs.” Send your donations to either me or Verla Mae Shultz.

BJ Lysic   at 786 Level Road, Lilly, PA 15938

Verla Mae Shultz at 151 Circle Drive, Ebensburg, PA  15931

Thank you for all that you do for our Veterans and Military.

(a new option on the menu bar)

Each mailing from Department will be uploading to the website.  This allows all members access to the mailings. The chairmen work very hard for their programs.  They release information to the membership when they feel it is pertinent. Sometimes the Unit President may not be able to attend the meeting or several members would like a copy, or the mail never reaches its destination.  By uploading and providing links to the documents, this allows all members and Units access to the information provided by the Department and the Chairmen.

When a member opens this menu option, they will see the names of the program information. Each month will have their own heading, keeping communication organised.  Members have the option of clicking on the hyperlink and viewing and/or printing the article. To get started, visit the new addition of mailings to the American Legion Auxiliary’s website.

The was a service project during this year’s Girls State.  The items collected (food, cleaning supplies, paper products, dish towels, etc) were presented to a family in the Johnstown area.  This family had become homeless due to unemployment problems and the affected economy.  The family, which included three children were very appreciative.

The reason for this is better help the Auxiliary members better understand all that is involved for the week of Girls State.  This in turn will help you find potential citizens from your area schools. Chairmen can also use the website pages to introduce the school officials and the importance of the program.

The candidates will also be better mentally prepared for the week of government, Americanism and all that is involved.  For some, they believe this is a camp with a lot of free time.  But in all actuality, the citizens are continuously working on something one way or another even in the down time.

When the Legion family found out his family was in needs..they answered the call.  They are helping them find a house, food and clothing.  Please check out the link below to read the whole story and watch the video.

The food they mention in the article and video was part of a service project at Keystone Girls State. The young women were asked if they so chose, to bring a non-perishable item to donate to the American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans.  Little did they realize just how important and how quickly their donations would be placed into action.

Though the American Legion Auxiliary and other Legion organizations do not participate in the anticipation of recognition, we live by “Service, not self”.  But it is nice to know that our actions have helped someone in need and so appreciative of these actions.

http://www.wjactv.com/news/28625321/detail.html

There were twenty-three (23) Councils that reached 100% or higher.   Congratulations go out to: 

. The other six(6) Councils reached at least 90+% and one (1) near the mid 80%. 

Congrats to all the Units reaching and obtaining 100% membership. 

On a sad note there are several Units that still have zero(0) members.  We need to reach out and contact these members to get them active next year.

CONGRATS to Department of PA for making 100% GOAL!!!

 All of my inventory of “stuff” was used up at the Spring Conference.
 
Please get the word out and get items to whoever is coming to Girls State.
 
crayons
colored pencils
colored markers
rulers
frizbee
small ball – hacky sack or nerf is always good
comic books
sketch pads
disposable cameras
 - anything age appropriate for over 12 years old
 
some businesses have these type items that they use for marketing tools and will be willing to donate them to you
 
I have 75 spiral bound 8 1/2 x 11 notebooks – need more
 
I am out of everything, so please help get the word out.
 
BJ

Barbara “BJ” Lysic
American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Pennsylvania
VA&R Chairman
bjlysic@comcast.net
814-886-7744