Vietnam Veterans of America Inc. Chapter 227 of Northern Virginia fulfilled their founding principle, “Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another,” by providing Holiday Cheer to military veterans, active duty personnel, and homeless families in several ways.
For the eleventh consecutive year, the Chapter provided gift cards in value from $75 for a single veteran to $225 for a married veteran with children for the Holidays. This year’s amount of $6,675 benefited 56 veterans and their families, an increase of 13 recipients from last year. Despite the higher number, a $25 increase for each assistance category was approved. The recipients are in the Veterans Administration Supportive Housing program for veterans and their families to assist in their transition from homelessness.
The Chapter’s Santa List added Holiday Cheer to two military families for the ninth consecutive year. The family spouse is being treated at a local military hospital. Chuck and Glenda Harris shopped for a veteran mother with one child, while his neighbor, Charlie and Jill Puma, fulfilled the list for the second family with three children. The Puma’s family donation of $588 augmented the Chapter’s grant of $500 for a total amount of $1,088. The Puma family agreed to be permanent program patrons although they are not military veterans.
The Chapter and MITRE Corp. employee’s 2020 CARE package partnership continues into the Holiday Season. The twelve-year project has shipped 2,895 plus packages to service members with an APO or FPO mailing address. Each package provides personal care items and other assorted useful items from snacks to books to make the Holidays a little bit more enjoyable for our national heroes.
The final Holiday outreach is the Bridges to Independence, a homeless family service in Arlington County. The children’s toys and winter clothing were collected despite the cancellation of the Chapter’s Holiday Party. Bill and Leslie Lynch agreed to serve as the collection center and to deliver the gifts. In addition, over $370 has been collected for the shelter’s Holiday needs. This community outreach started with the Chapter’s Holiday Party in 1987. The gifts were given to recently arrived and needy immigrant families from war-torn Central America and the Middle East.
Chapter 227 offers veteran camaraderie and opportunities to assist veterans, active military personnel, and the community. Vietnam and Vietnam Era-veterans, and non-veterans can call Len Ignatowski at 703-255-0353 for additional information or visit the chapter webpage at http://www.vva227.org/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VVA227. Cash donations can be mailed to VVA Chapter 227, P.O. Box Arlington, Va. 22205.