Tag Archives: AMVETS Bremer County

Rally Point Cedar Valley Veterans Needs Your Help!

As a Veteran Service Officer in Bremer County, Iowa, we often come into contact with homeless veterans. In August of 2010, we came in contact with a unique veteran named George and his dog Pluto. He had spent his last few dollars on a hotel room in Waverly, Iowa and had made contact with our local United Way who then made contact with us. We found the veteran and discovered that he had walked over 300 miles with his dog and intended to walk to Alaska to “work the oil fields.” After some discussion, we also discovered that George had attempted suicide the very morning we came into contact with him. We immediately brought him to the hospital where he was admitted for suicidal ideations and dehydration.
 
After his discharge, we worked with this veteran, everyday, until he was permanently housed, nearly four months after arriving in Waverly.
 
George and the many George’s that followed planted a seed. What we discovered over the next few years was that when we referred our veterans to permanent housing organizations, 63% of them would return to us within a year and homeless again. If we housed them ourselves, to date, 100% of our veterans are still permanently housed. We decided that a shelter of our own would benefit our veterans more than any other local resource and we were afforded that opportunity when a home owner offered their home for use as a shelter.
After a year of trying to make the home work as a government entity, we split ties and created our own nonprofit.
 
In September 2015, Rally Point Cedar Valley Veterans opened it’s first transitional shelter for active duty military, veterans, their families and their pets knowing that we had approximately three years until the home would be demolished by the home’s owner. The shelter, LZ Phoenix, is the only one of its kind in Iowa since it allows for any individual who served on active duty at least one day to stay, with their families and with their four-legged family members. Additionally, no members of the staff or Board of Directors are paid so that every penny raised goes directly towards the success of our residents.
 
Our nonprofit has served over 20 families and their pets as we’ve feverishly been raising funds for a new home. That’s where we need your help! To date, we’ve funded every expenditure with $5 and $10 community donations. Your donation, however small, can help put us into a new home and continue our mission of creating a safe, stable and sustainable home for our veterans and their families.
 
All donations are tax deductible since Rally Point Cedar Valley Veterans is recognized as a nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) per IRS Code 432.56.215-B.
 
Neal Jarnagin
Bremer County VA

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary News – February 2017

Mary Steinbach
Local 2016-2017 President and
State 2016-2017 President

First of all I wan to thank everyone involved in the planning, prep work, and execution of the my recognition dinner as State of Iowa AMVETS Auxiliary President and also the SEC meetings held on Saturday and Sunday, January 14-15. We had AMVETS members from across the state here for the weekend with most commenting on the WAVP and the staff working there. A special thanks goes to my Auxiliary members that were there supporting me, decorating the hall for the dinner, and preparing and serving the lunch after the meetings.

Department of Iowa Ladies Auxiliary President Mary Steinbach

Master of Ceremonies Donna Fischer

  Head Table

On January 6th 8 members traveled to the Marshalltown VA home for their monthly volunteering in the craft room and helping with BINGO. With us we took donated items that were collected. We ended up with my trunk full and also the back part of Jean’s van of donated items.  All items were needed and greatly appreciated.

With success of the this collection, Donna Fischer, local 3rd Vice for Child Welfare and also Department 3rd Vice, would like to start a collection box for items needed at the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa City and Des Moines. As Department 3rd Vice her project is the Ronald McDonald House, which serves as a “home away from home” for families, that have children in the hospital. There is a large list of items that are always needed, but the following items are always needed: paper towels, plastic cutlery, stainless steel cleaning wipes, white cardstock, postage stamps, grocery gift cards, and gas cards. We ask that you consider donating items for her project. She will hand deliver the collected items to the Des Moines Ronald McDonald House in April. You can go onto the Ronald McDonald House website to find a more complete list of items needed or to make a charitable donation.

The Wall That Heals is coming to the Cedar Valley this spring from May 18th to the 21st and will be displayed and the Cedar Falls AMVETS Post #49. It is a mobile, half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that is displayed in Washington DC and will be accompanied by the Mobile Education Center. The exhibit will be open 24 hours of the day to allow everyone the ability to experience this exhibit. This will be a wonderful event for the entire family. Mark your calendars and plan to view the “The Wall That Heals”.

The Department of Iowa AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary has raffle tickets for sale as part of the Department fundraisers. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year and proceeds are essential to the continues success of our Department. Prizes include gift baskets, gift cards, cash, and more! Something for everyone! Drawings will be held at the Spring SEC and you need not be present to win, so if asked to purchase tickets, help us out by buying one or more. Thank you in advance for supporting AMVETS, AMVETS Auxiliary, and Sons of AMVETS

Sons of AMVETS – February 2016

Sons of AMVETS

The current officers of the Sons of AMVETS Post 79 would like to welcome all new members and to thank all current members for their continued support. It has been a long 8 years without an AMVETS building, but the new WAVP is open, beautiful, and offers many activities throughout the week. If you have not been to the WAVP, I encourage you to read our monthly newsletter, keep current with the month’s activities, and join us regularly for Sons of AMVETS Post 79 meetings.

Right now our only fundraising activity is a collection bin located at the WAVP where anyone can donate their cans and bottles. Money raised from this collection bin is used for the our scholarship fund and to give back to the WAVP for upkeep and their expenses. In the near future we are planning a meeting night for the Sons to take a tour of the building, future activities in which the Sons can support our community and local veterans, and what the Sons of AMVETS can help with to support the WAVP.

Upcoming events that are being planned at the WAVP are Saturday steak nights and a monthly fish fry. Remember these? When the details for these two events are finalized they will be looking for volunteers. This will be a great opportunity for the Sons of AMVETS and their members to become more active by volunteering. “Many hands make little work”

Our next meeting will be at the WAVP on February 13th starting at 6:30. Please mark you calendar and plan to attend this meeting.  Any questions or concerns may be directed to me or to Jim Trask 319-240-0704. If we immediately do not have the answers we will make sure we talk to the right people to find the answer. We currently are asking Sons members to be more involved in our projects and to fill in as officers are needed.

As we start a new year, please remember our veterans, past and present, along with their families, and what they have contributed  and sacrificed for the freedom we have today.

Thank you again for your commitment to our veterans and their families, and you membership to the Sons of AMVETS Post 79.

Chaplain’s Corner – February 2017

Gary Philllips, Chaplain
2017

True love vs. romance  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 & verse 13

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Although, it might be said that all love has romance, I assure you all romance does not have love. Every year in the United States, and beyond, as February 14th, Valentine’s Day, approaches people’s minds turn to all things love and romance.  But don’t be confused as they are not synonymous.  Romance can be defined as an intense, often short-lived attraction, fascination, or enthusiasm for something or someone.  Usually, this romantic attraction is based on some outside quality that is mysterious or fascinating, like something that appears adventurous, heroic, or unusually beautiful.  This type of Romance is temporary and rooted in fantasy mostly, never growing past the level of infatuation.  If real love was only romance, relationships would never really have a chance, they would be cursed to remain superficial at best.  Your love has to be more than a greeting card’s sappy notions. Your love has to be more than a feeling…and your love has to be even more than just an action.

Scripture says love is more than just a feeling or an action…it is a lifetime of actions…It is complete unselfishness toward another.  In one word, love is – sacrifice.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. This verse certainly means that being willing to give one’s life for another is at the height of unselfish love and sacrifice but God also says that you can and should be a living sacrifice.

True love thinks about everyone but itself. True love isn’t selfish, ridged, and locked in its own ways. True love is adaptable and ready, willing and able to adjust to the needs of others.  Many times in scripture it refers to someone who can’t receive God’s love as someone who has hardened their heart.  You’ve probably seen it in your life as well when someone is so ridged, so hardened, so focused on themselves…they cannot truly love someone else. Maybe you’re the one who falls into this category?  So, ask yourself, do you look for the needs of others or are you constantly thinking about yourself? Scripture is God’s love letter to mankind, the most amazing Valentine card ever written and in its pages is the description of the ultimate act of love and sacrifice and also, Gods blueprints for true love and true romance. Now, think for a moment, if you will, as to the kind of love and its intensity… the love, of Country, that drives a man or woman to enlist and be willing to sacrifice their life in that service.  So, this February 14th… please remember, in your prayers, all have felt that love and committed themselves to that service.  For no one since Jesus Christ has someone you don’t even know been willing to give their life  
for you… and that my friends is LOVE!

paraphrased from an original Holy Host posting  2/14 of the Jesus Christ Show

 

Commander’s Call – August 2015

Ted Lanske 319-240-0734 tedsph98@aol.com

Ted Lanske
319-240-0734
tedsph98@aol.com

*WAVP update:  Wall construction has started with west wall, grill area and some interior support walls poured.   Work has started on the south wall with installation of rebar and forms.  This may be completed by the time this newsletter reaches you.  If you are so inclined to observe the construction (not recommended); do NOT drive in the lower area or around the site, but you may park in the grass area to the south and take a look.  Do NOT enter in any area of the actual construction or bother the contractor and/or workers.  This is for your safety and theirs.  Updated pictures are available at the Canteen during food nights and WAVP breakfasts, showing the history of demolition and now construction.

*HELP NEEDED:  We are in need of someone with the equipment and talent to engrave names on the boards (plaques) used to identify Veterans that are placed in Harlington Cemetery for Memorial Day.  We currently have five names to add to those already fabricated.  The router/stand used previously is available for someone with the talent and time.  More bases are being scheduled for placement and poles will be ordered prior to next year.  Contact me or leave your information at the Canteen.

*Possible project for someone:  As you enter the canteen, please note the mail box next to the door.  This is used for the drop box of used flags for retirement.  The mail box could definitely use some upkeep (cleaning and painting) and if there is someone, who would like to take on this task, please contact me or leave your name at the canteen.  At present, there are no plans so would ask that some sort of idea be presented.  This would be submitted for approval and discussion.

*THANKS to:   Charlie Meier for stepping up and assisting with inventory/sales of flags; Richard & Janell Miller for all their work and expertise for the breakfasts; Bob & Sally O’Hare for being there when I am out of town and doing the cleaning at the Post; Charlie Meier for getting the VFW involved with food nights and adding new additions to our menu.  They carry the term “volunteer” to a new level and deserve your “Thank You” when you see them.

*INFORMATION:  If you wish to make a donation to the Waverly Area Veterans Post (WAVP) in honor or memory of someone, write the check to WAVP, note on it for memory of                   (or your wishes) and mail it to –    WAVP,              P.O. Box 454,     Waverly, IA        50677  or you may leave the check at the Canteen with instructions that it is for memorial purposes.  The check will be deposited to support the building fund and will be noted in the listing of donors.  Thanks in advance.

*Hard to believe, but school will be back in session this month and children will be scurrying about with backpacks, musical instruments, cell phones and paying little attention to the world around them.  This, along with all the construction, leads to possible dangerous combinations, so it is up to us to be extra cautious.  Please add a few minutes to your travel time, take a few mph off your vehicle and keep your eyes on what is ahead and not on your cell phone or coffee cup.

*I would like to acknowledge the passing of several people recently.  Hubert Barber (1928-2015) was instrumental in maintaining the plaques/poles for Harlington Cemetery; Robert Rasmussen (1925-2015) was known and respected throughout the community and always greeted you; Mary Ackerman (1949-2015) could light up a room with her smile and was truly, a lady.  Mary and Ike were great supporters of Veterans and continue that yet today.  May we remember all of them in our hearts and to the families, our prayers and condolences.

*I have had a few people contact me about a possible AMVETS Riders group starting in Waverly.  If there is anyone else interested, please contact me or leave your name at the Canteen.  First and foremost, it takes at least 6 people ready to dedicate themselves to this project for it to work. Help AMVETS Help Veterans

Super Bowl Sunday Bash!

Come enjoy the last day at the VFW!  Enjoy football, chili, pool and most of all the company of friends!  See the ad below for details:

VFW-super-bowl-info-2014

Second to last day before shutdown

The AMVETS club will be closing its doors for the new building remodel on Monday, February 2nd.   The club will be open on Super Bowl Sunday, February first.  Please check out our calendar for event details.

Events will continue at the American Legion Building while preparations are made for the new WAVP club.  Thank you for your continued support!

Thursday Dinner at the Club – Spaghetti

That oven looks tired!  Come in and take a load off and spend some time with some friends for Thursday Dinner!  Just $7.00 gets you a heaping plate of spaghetti, salad and Garlic bread.

Beer Specials

What better to go with your Spaghetti than a nice, cold beer!  $ .25 off all draw beers and $ .50 off every pitcher.

Waverly Light & Power – Christmas Party

Waverly Light and Power Christmas Party