Thursday, August 24th, 7 PM, in the ballroom. Mixer. Social. BYOB. Munchies will be provided. Bring a friend or loved one. Mingle, meet, enjoy each other's camaraderie.
Shirts. For those inquiring about Veterans' shirts, Pat Criste sent a separate email asking for sizes (and if men or women). Pls respond to him ASAP. Some ordered at the recent meeting. If you are Harry, tell us who you are. Pat needs to place the shirt order by the end of the month to ensure delivery prior to the Silent Auction. Cost should be less than $20. The existing ones really wear well and hold up under multiple washings. The shirts have a logo that says Cresswind Veterans with a U.S. flag. Separately, he still has some hats if you want one.
Helping needy Veterans. If you want to be touched, let us help you be touched. Be the one to give some money or furniture to a Veteran in need. It truly touches you as much as it does the recipient. Last month we were humbled by being allowed to present checks to several needy Veterans who were vetted by and forwarded to us by the Veteran Administration's local Chaplain. This month, with the generosity of many Cresswind neighbors, we furnished an apartment for a female Army Veteran with two small daughters that was vetted by the Veteran Counselor at the Georgia Department of Labor. Basically she had two mattresses, a rug, and a television. Now she has a furnished apartment with a microwave to boot! Thanks Rich, Kim, Fred, and Ron. A picture is attached.
PX/BX Privileges. A separate email addressed this benefit for honorably discharged Veterans who do not currently have PX/BX privileges. Details are on the website. Basically it will be online, internet only, starting November 11th; but you can register now.
Unemployment Counseling Training. To standardize the advice - somewhat - on resumes, etc., the Georgia Department of Labor requested we conduct internal training for all of our participants. We know everyone knows certain things, but this is a DOL request in order for us to continue this service. Please bear this in mind when Kim Koenig contacts you regarding upcoming training.
Habitat for Humanity. President Rich Lynt remains in contact and it appears that one or more Veterans will be awarded a Habitat home within the next 45 days. Stay tuned. This would be an excellent service project with both volunteering hours and money.
Solicitors for the Silent Auction - THANKS! A number of you have stepped forward to help; it makes a huge difference. If you have not finished yet, please pull it together. If you can spare a half day to sign-up or still make some more calls, hit Reply and I'll pass your name to Chuck Wharton. We need to close this out so the auction layout brainstorming can begin. Thanks Chuck and Ernie Seymour for leading this.
Saturday, Sept. 9, 6 PM, Third Annual Picnic, Dance, & Silent Auction. This is our one, singular, only, non-repetitive, isolated fund raiser in the year. Our success this night is the fuel for the charitable arm, Cresswind LL Veterans Inc, to provide philanthropic assistance to needy Veterans in the greater Hall County throughout the year. It is the one time you can really make a difference in raising money. Please step forward when asked to sign up. If you feel overlooked, let one of us know that evening; there is always something. None of it is back breaking.
The Club's website, www.cresswindveterans.org, has many of the details for the event. You bring your picnic chairs, picnic meal, drinks, and enjoy the fantastic Sixties dance music of the Sock Hops. Some items and details are on the website. If you have ideas on marketing this, let us know.
Raffle. Last year Howie Mueller set the bar high with his collecting money for the 50-50 raffle. Good job, Howie! This year we will expand the raffle to a second raffle. Rather than $1, this raffle will be $20 a ticket, 3 for $50. However, the various high value items being raffled include a $1500 diamond ring, $1000 amethyst ring , and a Sig Sauer Model 938 Extreme Micro-Compact 9mm Pistol with accessories valued at slightly less than $1000. These items alone account for over $3,400 in donations and we need your help to talk this up so we collect a lot of $20 and $50 donations. After all, how can you beat any of these for $20 or $50?
Entrance wristbands will be $10; 4-top tables at the pavilion will be $60 ($15 each); the donation is to Cresswind LL Veterans Inc. Wristbands will be pre-numbered for the Silent Auction. We plan to accept cash, check and/or debit/credit cards. If you have any knowledge about the Square device and collecting funds via the smart phone, etc., please click Reply and your note will be passed on to Pat Criste who is investigating this. We could use any knowledge in the Club.
We added sponsorships this year and provide certificates (framed for larger contributors) as an additional funding source now that we have a 501(c)(3) charity. If you know someone or a company that could potentially be a sponsor, let us know. We can work with you.
Although we are raising donations for our charity arm, Cresswind LL Veterans Inc, please do not fall into the trap to provide tax advice. If asked, refer the individual to their tax advisor.
See you at the party next week!
Roy Gogel
Cresswind LL Veterans