2011-2012

Warriors Family Assistance Program

Bulletin #1 from Newsletter

If you have not read the most recent Bulletin for the Warriors Assistance Committee, I would like to let you know that this program now has its own email address: wfaatalany@nycap.rr.com
You will be able to access information and the guidelines for the program. Potential applicants will have the opportunity to have their applications reviewed in a more timely manner.

WARRIORS FAMILY ASSISTANCE

By now, many of you have received your Plan of Action and have found out that the Warriors Family Assistance is now a separate committee.   This committee consists of myself, as Chairman, Department  Second Vice President,  Barbara Corker, and Department Third Vice President, Diane Gerber. I am very excited to let you know that the ALA Department office has set up an email address for the WFA committee as follows: wfaatalany@nycap.rr.com.

We are in the process of building this address allowing members to access the guidelines for the WFA Program, inquiries and  applications can be sent to this address. The WFA Brochures are being updated, as well as the guidelines.

Now, more that ever this program needs Auxiliary Members from Units  all over the great State of New York to be available for the purpose of conducting personal interviews and in some instances helping applicants fill out the application. A team of three Auxiliary members from Units, Counties and Districts  would be great. The team should know the guidelines of the WFA Program and be knowledgeable of other programs in their respective counties as well as what the Posts and Units in their area can do to help our Servicemen and Women and their families. Please let us know if you are available for this very rewarding opportunity to help our Veterans and our Military Families currently serving our Country.

With the expansion of the WFA Program and the growing needs of our Veterans and Military Families, there is a need for additional funds.  Please consider trying to obtains donations from local businesses, corporations and other charitable organizations, as well as organizing fund raisers earmarked for the WFA Program.

 Since the Department Convention in July, this committee has approved four grants for a total of $4,584.00. We need Auxiliary members to volunteer to be on local review teams to help our applicants fill out applications and to assess their needs. Many times Posts/Units can offer assistance to the Veterans and Military families. Remember the basic guidelines are for Veterans honorably or medically discharged within the last five years or for those currently serving on active duty. This also applies to the Reservist or Guardsmen who were Federally deployed within the last five years.

We will be promoting this program as well as reaching out to corporations and charitable organizations for donations with the help of our Department Public Relations Committee. Remember that this program assists Veterans, so you can use POPPY FUNDS to make a contribution.

Thank you to all the members who have assisted in reviews. You are the key to the success of this program. Let us all “cultivate a new attitude” enabling us to “dream, believe and succeed”.

The Warriors Family Assistance Program (WFA) was started by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of New York in 2009.   The program has grown so much, that this year it will be a separate committee. This program offers aid to our currently deployed military and their families and those honorably discharged within the last five years.  The National Guard and Reserves who have been Federally Deployed are also eligible for this program. Grants of up to $1200.00 are available.

The success of the Warriors Family Assistance Program depends on and begins with our Auxiliary members.    You are the ones who can identify those in need of assistance.  You should be the ones working with the applicants to fill out the applications and evaluating the depth of that need.   In many situations, Units and Posts can offer assistance in addition to the WFA Grant.   We need members to volunteer to be on the review committee in each County and or District.  Three members from each county would be ideal.   A review committee should have a WFA three part brochure, the handbook and application forms which can be obtained from the ALA Department office.  Once the application is reviewed, it should be sent to the Department Office to be approved on the Department level by the Chairman of the WFA

Publicity will be a valuable tool to ensure that we reach those in need by informing our community  and local governments of the availability of the aid we offer.     Inform your legion members of this program, contact Veterans Service Officers, recruiters and VA Clinics about the WFA.  As information is getting out to the public, encourage donations from local organizations, businesses and charitable foundations in your area.   Units can also become involved in fund raisers such as pot luck dinners, dances, bake sales and yard sales to raise funds for the WFA Program.

 THE LINDA MOSEMAN RAYMOND AWARD is available under this program. To be awarded in Two Categories: Category #1, 10-99 Members, Category #2 100 Members and above who make the largest donation to the “Warriors Family Assistance” Program.

If we “Cultivate a New Attitude”, dream and believe, we will succeed  in helping the WFA Program to continue to grow and help our Military and their families.

Warriors Family Assistance Committee consists of the following members:

Patricia Bergin, Dept. Chairman
Barbara Corker, Dept. 2nd Vice President,  (member)
Diane Gerber, Third Vice President,  (member) 

REPORTING PROCEDURE: Note, there are only two reporting dates this year. Reporting-How-When-Why

Unit Chairmen: Please use the Unit Report Form and send it to your County Chairmen by November 1, 2011, March 1, 2012
County Chairman: Please use the  County Report Form and send it to the Dept. Chairman by November 10, 2011, March 10, 2012

Please adhere to all deadlines and rules under awards. Mail to: Patricia Bergin, Department Chairman

Patricia Bergin, Dept. Chairman
Email: ptberg63@aol.com

For Chairman's physical address/email, contact Chairman or Department Office     

Note: Forms are in PDF Format  and can be filled out using your computer keyboard. After you fill one out, it is suggested you print several copies, and keep one for your records. However, you cannot save data typed into any  forms unless you have the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software!  Please print at least 2 copies of your completed form, mail one to the chairman, and save one for your  records. If you try to e-mail it without the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software, the chairman will receive a BLANK PAGE...