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WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS VETERANS' ASSOCIATION Chesapeake Beacon Chapter 114 (A Tax Exempt/Non-Profit Organization)
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WACVA HOME
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OUR CHAPTER Chesapeake Beacon, Chapter 114 of Maryland was founded on July 13, 2002 with eleven charter members. The Chapter meets monthly to conduct business, plan community service activities, coordinate service to those in need and recognize the accomplishments of its members. OUR VISION
OUR COMMUNITY The Chesapeake Beacon Chapter is an active member of the communities where we work and live. To this end, we have developed a serice support program of financial aid and manpower that includes:
1. Perry Point VA Medical Center: The Chapter will provide support to Perry Point VA Medical Center on a continuing basis. Specific activities are:
-Holiday parties for the female veterans residing in the Nursing Home and the Domiciliary and will include refreshments and gifts. The parties will coincide with Easter, Veterans Day and Christmas and will be supported by all Chapter members. -Breast self-exam training model for female patients. Fundraising for this purchase began in October 2002. The purchase was coordinated with the hospital staff, specifically, the Women's Clinic of the hospital. The purchase of the model occured June 2003. -Support to the Domiciliary programs which help veterans transition from the hospital to productive lives in society. Chapter members will donate items of need as well as purchase items. Chapter members are currently inventorying donated items and will develop a gap list of items still to be purchased. This support will be considered ongoing and will respond to unplanned urgent needs when contacted by the Director of Women Veterans Services. -Help support and start the Beauty Shop at Perry Point VA Medical Center. Chapter 114 donated approximately $465.00 worth of equipment to the New Beauty Shop at Perry Point. This included the Hair Dryer and Roll-About Sink for the Beauty Shop, along with a flexible neck draining board; a shampoo tub, portable shower, and portable hair dryer. -Help support the Clothing Closet for Women Patients at Perry Point VA Medical Center. The women of Chapter 114 collects clothing not only from their closets, but from people in their community to stock the Clothing Closet. The also support the Closet by volunteering their time once or twice a week, helping the women pick out clothing that fits them and looks good on them. -Help support the DAV Transportation Team at Perry Point. We volunteer our time driving or helping out in the office when needed. The DAV Transportation pickup patients from their homes to their respective appointments at Perry Point VA Medical Center or to catch the shuttle to the Baltimore VA Medical Center for appointments. After their appointments the DAV Transportation picks them up and returns them to their homes.
2. Baltimore VA Medical Center Women's Program: As only one of the two WACVA Chapters in Maryland, the women veterans at the Baltimore VA Hospital have not, to date, had a veterans' organization sponsor. The Chapter plans to provide the same level of support to the Baltimore VA as we currently provide to Perry Point VA Hospital. Specific activities have not been determined pending discussions with hospital staff on veterans' needs. At a minimum, we will provide manpower support and financial aid as needed throughout the year.
3. Maryland Center for Veterans' Education and Training: The MCVETS provides homeless veterans and other veterans in need with services that enable them to rejoin their communities as productive citizens. Although this is a state organization, they provided assistance to veterans from across the United States. The Chapter plans to provide manpower support and financial aid to the MCVETS as needed throughout the year. Specific activities have not been planned pending discussions with the Center's Board of Directors.
4. Veterans' events: The Chapter supports veterans' events in the community throughout the year. Examples of this support are: Memorial Day; Independence Day; Veterans' Day; 9/11 Memorial Services with Honor Guards and escorts; Flag Day; and Armed Forces Day.
5. Community Service: The Chapter supports the communities throughout the year. Examples of this support are school visitation program to educate students on the contributions of the military to our society and their places in history; funeral details for women veterans regardless of affiliation with the Chapter; and, moral and financial support to veterans and their families in times of need and despair. These activities, excluding the memorial services and school visitation program, will be provided on an as-needed basis.
6. Active Duty Support: The Chapter supports the Active Duty Service men and women who are serving overseas in all areas, especially Iraq and Afghanistan. We reach out by sending boxes of articles needed by these men and women (whether it be toiletries or specific items they have requested). We also reach out to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to the men and women who have returned to the United States after being wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. These men and women are in need of both physical and mental support. We reach out to our service men and women who are stationed stateside at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Any soldier who is in need of help (whether it be clothing, food, toys for their children, or monetary). These men and women give their all to us by making sure that our nation is protected against terrorism, so it is only right that we do what we can for them when they are in need. OUR DREAM That no veteran ever spends another day without a friend, a home, a family, a meal, a job, a healthy mind and body and a heartfelt thanks for their sacrifices for our country. WHAT ALL CHAPTERS DO Each Chapter carries out the programs laid down by the National Organization, with emphasis being placed on VA Hospital volunteer work and Community Service in the local, national and international communities. The VA Hospital Program is one of our most important programs. Volunteers serve in 50 VA Hospitals and Nursing Homes where veterans are patients. The WACVA is on the National VAVS Advisory Board. Where no VA Hospital is located, members volunteer in state and community hospitals. Gifts from Chapters and MALs, such as television sets, special equipment, Christmas gifts, etc., total thousands of dollars each year. To further community relations, chapter projects have included monetary donations to every conceivable type of charity organization and collections such as eye glasses, stamps for the wounded, coupons, clothing, food for Food Banks, and Bears on Patrol. Activities of service to civilian hospitals, nursing homes, senior citizens, Meals on Wheels, children, handicapped, Halfway Houses, Homeless Veterans, Veteran Stand-Down, etc., are another way of contributing. WAC Veterans support the recruitment of women for the Army; provides support for the Women's Army Corps Museum, which houses memorabilia and artifacts of the WAC; supports the Hospitalized Veteran's Writing Project; promotes the maintenance of the "Women's Army Corps Veterans Redwood Memorial Grove" in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California; helps to maintain the "Cathedral of the Pines", Rindge, New Hampshire; recognizes outstanding women in college ROTC units by presenting the Pallas Athene Award; and recognizes outstanding male and female students by presenting a college scholarship. During the holidays parties are planned for the women veterans at Perry Point and Baltimore VA Hospitals. Food is brought in, such as sandwiches, cakes and cookies, gifts are given and a good time is had by all. For those who cannot leave their beds, the items are hand carried to their rooms. We try to visit with each woman for a few minutes in their rooms to let them know how much they are appreciated for the work they have done for their country and their fellow Americans. Gifts are given out during Christmas, such as clothing, slippers, and comfort items. Most Chapters hold bake sales, raffles, and dances to raise funds. We also have published a cook book, designed a Christmas basket with a small village, and other crafts in order to raise our funds. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The Chapters also carry on social functions for the entertainment of their members. One such affair common to all is the annual Birthday Party, held on the 14th of May, to celebrate the founding of the Corps and incorporation of the WAC Veterans' Association. Many Chapters sponsor trips, sporting events, picnics and holiday dinner gatherings. A National Convention is sponsored by local chapters and held in various cities. The meetings consist of a Board of Directors meeting on Thursday for all National Officers, Committee Chairmen, Chapter Presidents, and officially appointed MAL delegates. A workshop on Friday morning, the opening session on Friday afternoon, and a Company Party on Friday evening are held. Saturday morning is another business meeting and Saturday afternoon is the Pallas Athene Luncheon. Saturday evening is free for reunions, sightseeing, shopping, etc. Sunday morning is the Memorial Service, followed by the election of Officers at another business session. Sunday afternoon is the President's Luncheon, honoring all Past National Presidents, Chapter Presidents, and includes the Installation of new officers and the closing business session.
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