“Tender Bear Hugs for Our Military, Veterans, and Their Families”

Our VA & R programs are working and so needed, that we will continue to spolight them again this year.  Standdowns, Fisher House, Quilt of Valor, the Creative Arts, Homelessness, especially with women veterans, and the Caregiver programs can always be improved.  Let's hope that our volunteers can also serve their facilities and face to face.

After the National Convention, I will have more information about what the National V A & R chair will be emphasizing for her year and will have it ready for the November eition of the ALA Today.

Department Awards this year are: Teri's Firecrackers Plaque to the unit with the best overall participation in the VA & R program, and Carolee's Cookie Plaque to the district with the best overall participation in the V A & R program.  Personal awards are: $10 to the unit with the most donations to the Creative Arts programs, amd $10 to the district with the most quilts made for Quitls of Valor program.