VFW Post 3437 and Ladies Auxiliary gave a Christmas part for members’ children and guests on Dec. 21.
Sixty-five children were on hand for snacks and games. Each child received a stuffed animal and a sack of treats.
Santa was on hand to greet and talk to each of them.
Amvets 13 and auxiliary and Sons of Amvets 13 donated candy and fruit.
The Sweet Home Elks were also in attendance. Thanks to Exalted Ruler Sid Gulley (Santa).
Dec. 22, each organization of the Veterans Club arrived early to fill 39 Christmas baskets for those in need.
For the last three months, members have donated canned goods and stuffed toys for our baskets.
The patrons who play bingo each week also donated to the project.
Our last donation of food baskets and toys went to the HOPE Center.
We had $300 worth of canned and dried food donations along with 250 stuffed animals and other toys, for those who were in need this holiday season.
Dec. 16, at the meeting of VFW Post 3437 and Ladies Auxiliary, they hosted their first “Voices of Democracy” winners, Terah M. Cleveland and her family, parents, Alex and Alisa; sisters, Kyra and Kyla; aunt, Mary Cleveland; and best friend, Elizabeth Campbell.
“My Commitment to America’s Future” was her speech. After her speech, she received a citation and a check for $100 from Marion and Corinne Fritts. Also on hand were Commander Larry Frederick and President Cathy Lindsay.
My Commitment to America’s Future
As an American citizen, I feel an urge to do something outstanding for the country I am growing up in. I feel the need to help make living here more pleasurable for future generations to come. It’s a need I will fulfill undoubtfully. America, this is my commitment to you.
I want to help the homeless. Ever since I was a young girl, I remember seeing men, women and even children struggling to stay in a home. I’ve seen many people combing through the streets for help, and I also remember my parents offered what they could as we’ve always done. Seeing people suffer like that makes me fill up with sadness. Why, I ask myself, why do so many people lose and so few win. Why can’t everyone win?
In the summer of 2002, a homeless veteran, who had lost his hands in Vietnam, was holding a sign on a busy corner asking for food. He was very exhausted, frail and thin. It had been a hot day, but he hadn’t faltered. No one had helped him all day, and he kept going. My parents approached him in our vehicle and gave him some free food coupons and some spare change. If you could have seen the look in his eyes when he said, thank you ? He looked like he just was given a million dollars. It was a look of excitement, gratitude. To see that look on his face did nothing but give me pure joy. By giving that man what we could, his life had been refueled with our helping hands. We helped save a human life from starving.
Millions of Americans are living on the streets struggling to get food and shelter. They hardly get any support because shelters aimed to help them have become increasingly overwhelmed. Sadly enough, many of these homeless people are veterans. They have already done so much for the country they love so dearly and receive not nearly enough in return for their sacrifice. Someone who gives their all for their country should be treated with the respect they deserve.
Pick any day of the week and drive down any major road in the Albany-Corvallis or Eugene-Springfield areas and I guarantee you’ll see at least three homeless people asking for help on street corners. Now, if you go look in an area like Portland or Salem, the numbers go up to at least 10.
No one wants to be homeless. No one deserves to be homeless. To give everyone a home would be the greatest blessing anyone could give. it would make living more pleasurable not only for the ones receiving a home but for everyone else knowing no one is suffering from something that could be avoided.
One way to make sure everyone can say they have a home with dignity is to make the cost of living more reasonable. Instead of a whopping $500 or more a month for a one-bedroom house, how about $100 a month? There’s only two rooms that need to be paid for. A kitchen and a bathroom are necessities there they shouldn’t have a price. A living room for leisure and a bedroom should only cost around $50 each. Of course, I know if the cost of living was adjusted, taxes and insurance would also have to be adjusted, which would be a royal pain. That’s why I’ve come up with a second solution.
How about creating communities? When I grow up and pursue my career, I will also be creating a fund, applying for a grant or both. When my fund reaches a certain amount or I receive my grant, I’ll be purchasing a large amount of acreage and building a community that will include little or no utility bills. The homeless could then have a wonderful place to call home. If they can’t find a job, I’ll give them free rent for their help around the property. No one who applies for a place to live in my community will get turned down.
Until that time arrives, my family and I will generously donate what we can to homeless people and organizations to make sure they’re taken care of. The day no one is without a home is a beautiful day, a day of rejoicing because then no one is left behind, especially those who offered their lives to defend their country.