Quick Tip — Holiday Cards for Soldiers

 Community Service, Quick Tips  No Responses »
Dec 032012
 

Every year around this time, people start forwarding an email (or posting on Facebook) encouraging people to send cards to Walter Reed Hospital. Please do not send cards to Walter Reed or any other military hospital. Your card will not be delivered. If you get this email or see this post, let people know it will NOT work.

There is, however, a program that does work. You’ll need to act fast as the deadline is December 7th. It’s called “Holiday Mail for Heroes” and is overseen by the American Red Cross. My apologies for not posting this earlier… maybe next year someone will submit it or remind me! The program actually starts in October. You can also make a cash donation by visiting the website if there’s not time to send cards.

There are a number of guidelines:

Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.

Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:

  • Ensure that all cards are signed.
  • Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
  • Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.
  • Do not include email or home addresses on the cards: the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
  • Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos: these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
  • Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors.
  • If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.

All holiday greetings should be addressed and sent to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes P.O. Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

The deadline for having cards to the P.O. Box is Friday, December 7th. Holiday cards received after this date cannot be guaranteed delivery.

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Helop Support Our Deployed Troops

 Community Service  No Responses »
Nov 152012
 

Harvest Home Grange will be putting together a huge care package to send to Troops in Afghanistan for the holidays. When you are far from home, nothing brightens your day like a card or letter from home, even if it’s from a total stranger. Would you please take a few moments to write a letter or fill out a card for them to let them know we love them and care for them and have them in out hearts? If you wish to bake some cookies or gather some stationary, or donate some stamps & envelopes, the Grange will be open on December 2nd 2012 to receive your donations and to package them up and so everything can be mailed out on Dec 3rd. It will take about a week to get there. Please nothing with nuts as some may be allergic. Cookies, fudge, brownies, hard candy are fine. If you would like to help or donate please call Paul at 722-3820.

Harvest Home Grange is located on Route 7 (Moosehead Trail) in Brooks, Maine.

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Enterprise Grange Highlights

 Community Service, Grange News  No Responses »
Nov 042012
 

Enterprise #48, 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond has changed their meeting time to the first Wednesday of the month instead of the first Thursday. Gather for fellowship at 6:00 and meeting at 6:30 so we can get home earlier.  We have received a grant for fuel that should carry us at least through December.  When the fuel grant runs out, we will meet at the home of our Master – C. J. Roy, 151 Beedle Rd.

At our November 7th meeting, we will install any officers not installed in September, and gather items for the veterans at MVH in Augusta to give to their loved ones. They like to give jewelry and scarves as well as toys for their great-grandchildren.  The volunteers at MVH set up a ‘Store’ for them to do their shopping the first Saturday in November.  When we do have to go to CJ’s home, there will be room for visitors so come join us!  Call Marilyn at 737-2611 for updates.

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Christmas in July?

 Community Service  No Responses »
Jul 212012
 

Wreaths Across America is a year-round effort…

Maine is rightfully proud of the Wreaths Across America project–the non-profit organization behind it says their mission is simple: remember, honor and teach. Best known for the week-long “Veteran’s Parade” that includes tractor trailers delivering wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery, the organization actually includes a number of activities here in Maine and around the Country.

Lois DeRaps, treasurer of Benton Grange #458 had the distinct privilege of participating in the laying of wreaths in Augusta a few years ago. She said she was especially impressed with the way young people were involved in helping and as a result became deeply committed to supporting the program.

Lois is also a member of VFW Post 8835 in Winslow and vice president of her VFW District. She says she is committed to mustering as many resources as possible in support of the program because she “really believes in it.” She reports that last year two tractor trailer loads of wreaths were delivered to Arlington National and the goal this year is to make it three.

Lois is offering a “short talk to any Grange interested in the program” to share her experiences as well as additional information about the program and how individuals and organizations can get involved. You can email Lois or contact her at PO Box 261 in Fairfield ME 04937.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. This year’s parade begins on December 9th in Harrington ME and finishes on December 15th at Arlington.

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Welcome to Lee Maine

 Community Service, CWA Committee  No Responses »
Jul 202012
 

Most will recall that our “penny jar” collection this year will benefit the House in the Woods–”a therapeutic, recreational, and educational retreat for the nation’s armed forces and their families” located in Lee, Maine. What many may not know is a film exists that tells the story of Lee Maine and how it dealt “with the devastating news that it has become the smallest community (pop 845) in America to lose two sons in the Iraqi War.” The film is titled Welcome to Lee Maine –a film about two soldiers and the town that loved them.

While I was on vacation and missed the recent screening in Dover Foxcroft, this sounds like a film worth seeing… A DVD is also available for purchase at the Welcome to Lee Maine website. I’ll bet you’ll want to throw more than a few pennies in the jar after watching it.

There is also a list of screenings around the state, but it appears to be near the end and will hopefully be updated soon. I haven’t checked, but it might be possible to host a showing at a Grange Hall or Legion Post. If interested, contact either the producer (from the film’s website) or the folks at House in the Woods.

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Quick Tip!

 Community Service  No Responses »
Jul 192012
 

Quick Tip

Just read an article describing a community in Massachusetts sponsoring a free monthly “Veteran’s Breakfast” and thought it was worth sharing as a tip or idea for Granges… what a great way to show appreciation and to bring the community together! There are a number of possible variations and it wouldn’t have to be monthly, certainly… collaborations with local legion posts might be possible. An even simpler version would be to invite Veterans to “eat free” at your public suppers or events… from a fund-raising perspective, supporting troops and veterans is something that would be popular with local businesses and the public in general.

If you decide to do something like this, take photos and send a report!

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Danville Memory Pillow Project

 Community Service  1 Response »
Jun 192012
 

Cynthia Maxwell, Kathy Lorrain, and Shirley Hatch

Several Danville Junction Grange members have taken on the Memory Pillow project. They have sewn over one hundred pillows for Operation Military Kids to support Maine children whose parents are deploying. Materials are purchased, cut out, and then distributed to members who are sewing the pillows to be presented to these children. The pillows are unique as a voice box is inserted into each pillow, so that the parents can record a message, read a book, or sing a song to their children before they deploy. This helps provide a consistent voice and tradition for children to play whenever they need to hear mom or dad’s voice during the time that they will be sharing their parent with our country in support of Freedom. The state of Maine has over 4,000 school-age guard and reserve children who are impacted by the deployment of our service men and women.

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Answering The Call

 Web Site Information  No Responses »
May 272012
 

“But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for, Is their monument to-day, and for aye.”

Thomas Dunn English

There is surely no better memorial to those we honor this weekend than the freedom we have and our very country… but it is still more than fitting that we pause this weekend to remember those who gave their lives for us. According to the Home for Heroes Website, since the birth of the United States in 1776, over one million have purchased freedom with their lives. This is the weekend when we should each do our best to feel a very personal connection to them. I would likely not be sitting here writing this–you would likely not be reading it–were they not prepared to give as they did.

So take a moment to look around you… and understand that what you have and who you are was made possible in large part because a million plus men and women answered the call. Yes, that’s a big number. But they did so one at a time in a very individual and personal way. And that is how we perhaps best honor them. Parades and monuments are important. Flying the flag is good. But remembering is what it is really about–if just for a moment–and celebrating and guarding the freedom we have is the ultimate monument.

Walter Boomsma,
Webmaster

 

 

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Youth Department — March 2012 News

 Youth Committee  No Responses »
Apr 032012
 

CJ ROY 462-1994 or 737-9007 and

Terry LaCombe 356-2492 or terryllacombeatgmaildotcom

The Youth Department had a very busy afternoon at State Grange February 20th! Master Brewer was very busy overseeing the committee meetings. The Youth Committee met with both Membership and The Junior Committee.

The Membership Committee would like ACTION Pictures of Youth. If you have a picture of Grange Youth, helping or working in the community, send your pictures to Rick Grotton, Terry or CJ before April 21st.

The Junior and Youth will have a joint YARD SALE Sat the 23rd of June in Augusta. The Youth/Junior will continue saving Labels for Education. For more information about joint ventures read Laurie`s Junior column.

The Youth Committee voted to encourage Subordinate Granges to work directly on the THE ADOPT A SOLDIER OR PLATOON PROJECT. If you have friends or relatives in the service send them a care package!

Bowling will take place in April-start planning now! Golf will be in June-get your team together!

Public Speaking and Sign a Song contests judging will be at State Grange April 21st.

Youth Conference is July 13-15th this year! If you are a Youth between 14-35 years old and want to be on a Drill Team contact CJ or Terry!

We will have a Youth Camp in August this year. It will be at State Grange –more information to follow!

Youth interested in Tweeting let us know!

Youth Contest to be judged at Family camp out weekend.

The contests are;

  • COLLECTIONS-DO YOU COLLECT SOMETHING?
  • CANNED FOOD-CAN YOU COOK?

We are looking for Youth Ambassadors (16-21) and Couple Ambassadors(18-35)! Let us know if you are interested.

We have a new contest The Maine State Grange Youth Mug Shot Contest — Details to follow soon!

Details for all our contest (excluding our new contest) can be found in the MSG Program Handbook!

It is almost time to wish everyone – A HAPPY SPRING !

 

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