Service Officer Training

Open Training for all Service Officers, please RSVP to 803-255-4304 or geraldine.taylor-jordan@va.gov :
September 6, 2008 - 8:30 - 10:30 @ HQ's - S/O Program Update

For Previously Untrained Post Service Officers and prospective Service Officers
Please RSVP to 803-255-4304 or geraldine.taylor-jordan@va.gov :
November 8, 2008 - 8:00 AM @ HQ's - 8 Hours

Reminder - National requires ALL Posts to have a Service Officer

VFW State Headquarters
210 Glassmaster Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 808 - 0317

Directions: Take I-20 to exit 55B (eastbound) onto Highway 6 or exit 55 (westbound), turn left off of ramp onto Highway 6. Go to the traffic light just past the "Shell" gas station on the right, turn right on Glassmaster Road. Go past the Lenzing Plastics factory on right, we are next door to the factory as the road curves to the right. The entrance to the parking lot is in the curve. 210 is marked on the mail box.

OPERATION UPLINK

Operation Uplink is a unique program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Using contributions from supporters like you, Operation Uplink purchases phone cards and distributes them to servicemen and women who are separated from those they care about.

Make a donation directly to the Department of South Carolina VFW or click on the link and donate at VFW National Headquarters.

Veterans Airlift Command

www.veteransairlift.org
Provides free air transportation for medical and other compassionate purposes to wounded warriors, veterans, and their families through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.

VFW Department of South Carolina

Emergency Management Community Service Program

The Department of South Carolina Veterans of Foreign Wars Emergency Management Program is a partnership between our organization and the State Emergency Management Agency providing resources such as volunteers, staging areas (Posts and HQ locations) and Rapid Deployment Communication Systems (RDCS) during times of disasters. View Power Point presentation: | Print/Save EMP/RDCS Brochure

MS Office

Download Microsoft Powerpoint Viewer Adobe.com

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America Supports You is a Department of Defense program recognizing citizens' support for our military and communicating that support to members of our Armed Forces and their families, at home and abroad. To plan and organize a walk in your community download the Fact Sheet [pdf] and Planning Guide [pdf] and visit the America Supports You Website .

War affects everyone, not just the service member, but the spouse and children as well. As an organization dedicated to serving military families, the National Military Family Association (NMFA) recognized the need for more resources to support military children. In 2004, the Operation Purple® Summer Camp Program was created as a way to help military children struggling with having a parent deployed.

These free, week-long, overnight camps are open to all military children. The program aims to help military kids experience carefree fun while also learning coping skills to deal with war-related stress and fostering relationships with others who know what they are going through. Visit nmfa.org for details and registration.

We are pleased to announce the themes for the 2008 - 2009 Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen competitions.

Voice of Democracy
"Service and Sacrifice by America's Veterans Benefit Today's Youth by ... "

Patriot's Pen
"Why America's Veterans Should be Honored"

Entry deadline is November 1, 2008. Visit the links above for teacher's guides and other information from the National VFW Website pages.

Information Highway Initiative

We believe communication in the 21st century requires a new literacy. Changes in technology have coincided with changes in Posts, Districts and Department needs. It's an exciting time for the VFW at all levels. But we need to understand how the presentation of information has changed, and we need to respond to these changes. The Information Highway Initiative is an effort to make this happen.

View/Print/Save IHI Brochure

VFW at Work - Share Your Successes!

VFW Posts and Departments across the country are working hard to support America's troops and veterans. Now we're doing even more to help you spread news of your success!

"VFW at Work" is live! This special webpage spotlights grassroots success stories from across the nation.
Check it out at www.vfw.org/vfwatwork . Now we want to hear about your good work! Let us know how you're reaching out to America's heroes. It's easy to share stories from your Department or Post:

Email story ideas to success@vfw.org Or, you can submit your idea at: http://www.vfwdepartmentresources.org/grassroots.asp

If your story is selected for further development, you'll be contacted for an interview!

Julie McCollum
Administrative Assistant
VFW Development Department
816-968-2734

My Health e Vet

My HealtheVet (MHV) is the gateway to veteran health benefits and services. It provides access to:

   • trusted health information
   • links to Federal and VA benefits and resources
   • the Personal Health Journal
   • online VA prescription refill

In the future, MHV registrants will be able to view appointments, copay balances, and key portions of their VA medical records online, and much more! My HealtheVet is a powerful tool to help you better understand and manage your health.

VFW Grants available (Home Depot & Wal-Mart/Sam's Clubs)
Home Depot Grants	Wal-Mart / Sam's Club Store Grants
Posts in need of repairs, be it a leaking roof or a new paint job, may be eligible for The Home Depot Community Impact Grant in the range of $250 - $2,999. Applications are accepted online at www.homedepot.com/impactgrants . Because grants are only provided to groups with 501(c)(3) status, Posts are able to use the VFW Foundation's tax designation for these grants only. The average grant was $2,681. Typically, the grants are awarded in the form of gift cards, which the Post can then take to their local Home Depot store to buy the supplies for their project. So far, Posts have used the grants to spruce up their buildings in the form of new roofs, wheelchair ramps and even fresh coats of paint. If you have questions, please contact: Richard Freiburghouse Manager - Grants Development VFW Foundation 406 W. 34th St. Ste. 514 Kansas City, MO 64111 816-968-1124 fax. 816-967-2789 freiburghouse@vfw.org	$1,000 Available at Wal-Mart & Sam's Club stores! Most Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores have budgeted $1,000 for local veterans or civic groups. It is best to apply for this grant money at the beginning of each year, however it is quite possible that your neighborhood store might still have all or a portion of the funds remaining. The grant application process is quite easy. You will need to fill out a short form to take to the store (link below). Ask for the Store Manager or the person in charge of grant funding. Wal-Mart accepts your Post's 501(c)(19),(c)(3) and (c)(4) designation as proof of your non-profit status. You will need to provide the Post's 9-digit Tax ID (EIN) # on the form. Grants can be used for a variety of activities such as patriotic events, outreach programs, aid to military families in your community and even Post building remodeling. To view a sample grant application click on the following link: Sample Form To run out a blank application that you can fill out and bring to your Wal-Mart or Sam's Club store click on the following link: Blank Form

KNOWLEDGE
ISSUES

ACCOUNTABILITY
TRUTH

South Carolina Information Highway (2008 Elections)

News From vfw.org

NEVER

FORGET

Department of South Carolina Veterans of Foreign Wars Pages/Links
	Programs
	Voice Of Democracy
Department Officers	Patriots Pen / Youth Essay
Committees	Teachers Award
Calendar '08 '09 [pdf]	Loyalty Day
Forms/Reports	Community Service
Districts	Law Enforcement, EMT and Firefighter Awards
Posts
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