A few days ago I sent you a message informing you that the VFW Foundation was applying for a $250,000 "Pepsi Refresh" grant to support VFW's "Return the Favor" campaign at the highest grant amount ($250,000) in the next open period (April 1, 2010).
As I explained previously, we have launched this campaign so that we can continue providing the resources to support the unmet needs of our service members and their families and programs designed to boost the morale of active duty troops and their families.
Since 2004, the VFW and its Foundation has provided over $3,400,000 in direct grants to military families for unmet needs such as rent, mortgage, utilities, vehicle repair, medical expenses and food/basic aid. In many instances, our intervention has stopped evictions and foreclosures on homes owned by troops and their families. We also hold numerous "welcome home" or "sendoff" events for our troops so that they know that America truly cares and is thankful for their service.
Here is how you can help:
Starting on April 1 (at 12:01 a.m.) you can go online to www.refresheverything.com and vote for VFW's "Return the Favor" project. Click on the "Food and Shelter" Category and then the "$250,000" grant level. You will find VFW's "Return the Favor" idea, pictures and a YouTube Video about the VFW, its programs and a description of our proposal which begins with, "Return the Favor to troops and their families for urgent unmet needs"
Remember, the projects that receive the most votes will be awarded grants from the Pepsi Corporation. Please vote and vote often for our project. You can vote once every day for our project during the month of April. You can help the effort even more by telling your friends, family and colleagues about our proposal and encouraging them to cast a vote our way. Please send out an email blast to family, friends, colleagues, post a message on Facebook, Tweet about it, or put up a flyer to encourage others to vote as well.
With your assistance, we'll be able to continue working on behalf of our military service members and their families.
D. Peirce, a senior blogger on the VFW Network says making virtual friends is " better than buying drinks in a canteen." "It's like a living history." says IJK, one of the first VFW Post bloggers online with VFW WebCOM.* Donald Peirce and "IJK," Iris Joe Kelley have been blogging for their VFWs for years. Recently they responded to email Interviews with MyVFW. Here's what they had to say: MORE>
Does your post, auxiliary or department need a modern web presence? Claim your sites here.
Now you can stay on top of all the latest information no matter where you are in the My VFW Network.
Just look at the bottom of each page in the network. You'll see a new toolbar which will make navigating around the network much easier. On the toolbar you can:
Search the My VFW Network
Join a chatroom with other network users.
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Keeping up to date with the My VFW Network has never been so easy!
KANSAS CITY, Mo., -Due to overwhelming response from the veteran community following last year's live stream from the 110th VFW National Convention, VFW will stream live from this year's National Legislative Conference, March 6-10.
Streaming will begin with the Voice of Democracy Parade of Winners at 6:00 p.m. (EST) on March 7th.
Streaming will resume with the Conference's Opening Session, set to begin at 8:00 a.m. the next morning, featuring guest speakers General George W. Casey, Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki.
A delayed stream of VFW Commander-in-Chief, Thomas Tradewell's testimony on Capitol Hill will also air the afternoon of Tuesday, March 9.
In addition to streaming the segments live, all events will also be available on demand.
WASHINGTON — For military service members stationed around the globe, holiday gifts are a big morale boost. To help the families and friends of U.S. military personnel, the Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box.
The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military installations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 13.
Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $13.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to $11.95. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship.
Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship.
The Postal Service continues to show support to those serving in the armed forces by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Care Kit. Each kit includes two “America Supports You” large Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.
For online ordering of the Large Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block, Click here. More information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations is available online at Supporting Our Troops.
“Mailing holiday gifts to service members early will help insure that a piece of home arrives in plenty of time to make the celebration complete," said Pranab Shah, vice president and managing director, Global Business.
To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be entered no later than the mailing dates listed below. Mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. To see an online table of updated APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, Click here, select “Pull-Out Information” and click on “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail.”
Content found on this site, unless otherwise noted, is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, its Departments, Districts or Posts.
To all our VFW and Auxiliaries members, veterans and active military wherever you may be, may you have a Merry Christmas and safe and joyous holiday.
