VFW Post 3783 - Programs


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NATIONAL HOME
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EVERETT MARTIN, CHAIRMAN
13233 Cuyamaca Road
Apple Valley, CA 92308
(760) 961-2460 -- FAX (760) 961-7682

PROVIDING LOVE, CARE AND EDUCATION SINCE 1925

     The VFW National Home is a private, non-profit, residential childcare agency providing long and short-term residency to children and grandchildren of VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members.

     The National Home is located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, on 630 acres of land, including 36 brick houses, community center, guest lodge, chapel, library, nursery school, dental office, maintenance buildings, museum, fire barn and administration building.

     The National Home is for children and grandchildren of VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members whose parents are deceased, disabled, or in a situation where they cannot provide for proper care. Ages include preschoolers to young adults who are referred by the VFW Posts and Auxiliaries, state and county court systems, Department of Social Services, and from other state child welfare systems. The National Home also accepts eligible single-parent families in need for a maximum three-year program.

     The VFW National Home is totally funded by the generous gifts of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary organizations, as well as individual contributors. Additional support is provided through the annual Seals campaign and other mail appeals, planned gifts, life memberships and earnings from the investments of endowment funds.

     Over the past 70 years, more than 1,500 children have been served. An average of 95 per day have received services from the National Home. Children at the National Home come from all over the United States. At the present time, they are from California, New York, Montana, Texas, Indiana, Virginia, New Hampshire, Illinois, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ohio, Alabama and Michigan.

     The eligibility requirements for entrance into the National Home are available from the District Commanders, District Chairmen, and Department Chairmen or by contacting the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.

     If you know of or learn about a comrade's or sister's children in need, we would encourage you, as a member of the VFW, to assist us in filing application to the National Home.

APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO THE NATIONAL HOME

     Application for admission must be made through the local VFW Post. National Home Referral of Children (CAVFW FORM - 20) is located in the back of this Book.
NOTE:

The Life Membership Fee has increased this year to $35.00 per membership.
FUNDS TO OPERATE THE NATIONAL HOME

     Please keep in mind that the Home is a totally private agency with no outside support. It derives its support solely from the membership of the VFW Post, Auxiliary and the Military Order of the Cooties. Below are the four (4) primary sources of contributions that provide for the operation of the National Home:

     1. The donations for National Home Seals (nearly 50% of the budget).
     2. The donations for Buddy Poppies (one cent from each poppy).
     3. Donations for Life Memberships and Associate Life Memberships ($35.00). *
     4. Bequests from wills and gifts. *

     * Money received from Life Memberships and gifts are placed in an Endowment Fund and only the interest is used to run the Home.

     This year, as in the past, let's encourage each Post and Auxiliary to purchase at least one Life Membership in the National Home. Associate Life Memberships also make wonderful gifts to our many relatives and friends that are not eligible for membership in our organization.

     Another important thing to remember is to keep your address updated with the National Home office when you move, so you will continue to receive your ballots.

     The VFW National Home is a non-profit corporation governed by the laws of the State of Michigan and supported primarily through donations from Posts, Auxiliaries, Districts, County Councils and individuals of the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary.

     Any active VFW or Ladies Auxiliary member, or any unit from those organizations can become an active (voting) member of the corporation by purchasing a "LIFE MEMBERSHIP" in the VFW National Home for $35.00.

     Life Memberships may also be given as gifts or purchased in the name of a Post, Auxiliary or individual. These associate memberships may likewise be purchased by or for organizations and people of good character; however, associate members do not have National Home voting privileges.

     Each National Home Life Member, whether active or associate, receives a plastic pocket card and a certificate attesting inclusion on the VFW National Home Life Membership Rolls. The pocket cards and certificates may change periodically and they can be replaced or updated for a small fee.

     A sufficient number of Life Memberships would make the VFW National Home a perpetually self-supporting organization.

     Mail your Life Membership applications and donations directly to National Home at VFW National Home, 3573 Waverly Road South, Eaton Rapids, and MI 48827.

ALL REPORTS WILL BE SUBMITTED AS FOLLOWS:

     All donations and Life Membership purchases are reported on the Department Program Reporting Form (CAVFW FORM-12) under Youth Activities.

     To be considered for Awards, use the Department Awards Recognition Report (CAVFW FORM-11) to report your activities. Send all reports to Department HQ’s.

AWARDS

     Remember to keep a record of Life Memberships purchased by your Post and Auxiliary and request the FREE Special Awards from National Home, as you are eligible for them.

     (1) One plaque will be given to the Post that donated the highest percentage of Life Memberships in the National Home during the year and (1) one plaque to the District that purchased the highest percentage of Life Memberships in National Home during the year. Certificates will be awarded at the 2001-2002 Convention to each District Chairman who have 75% or better reported in National Home.