The Committee’s Newsletter for May, 2010

It sometimes doesn’t seem that winter is over as our temperatures have been really cool and we are really wondering is spring staying or hiding like the groundhog does each February.

This past month the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing was involved in the following:

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA (May 13, 2010) Sixteen Richmond leaders met at the East District Family Resource Center (EDFRC) to discuss how best to develop and begin implementing a wellness program targeting all 30,000+ residents of Richmond’s East District.  Many veterans, including disabled veterans, reside in the East District so the DVCH has agreed to become a partner in this important wellness campaign.  The campaign is being lead by Councilwomen Cynthia Newbille.

East District Family Resource Center & Hepatitis Foundation International

The Partners in Liver Wellness Richmond Campaign Launch

Among those attending the planning meeting were: Hepatitis Foundation International CEO Thelma Thiel, Virginia Delegate Deloris McQuinn, Senator Jim Webb’s State Director Conway Haskins, Congressman Bobby Scott Legislative Assistant Nkechi Winkler and Dr. Richard (Dick) L. Seely who represented the DVCH.

Key points agree on at the meeting included the following:

• This is a most appropriate time to be discussing expanded wellness programs in Richmond given the passage of the national health care bill.
• Although adults and children in the East District face large health and social challenges meeting attendees feel there are very substantial resources available to help meet these needs.
• We need to have a prevention education wellness program that targets all 30,000+ residents living in the East District.
• Liver Wellness should be the first and a major component of an overall wellness program for Richmond’s 7^th District.
• Many organizations are doing an excellent job responding to the needs of their clients.  However, most organizations in the 7^th District do not have adequate information about the services other groups are providing to clients.  If, in the future, organizations will be able to implement a uniform health program and also have knowledge of what each other is doing, better more effective services could be given to those in need.
• We need to focus on young children as so many are abusing alcohol and drugs at an early age.
• A group that should be targeted is those living in public housing.
• A new comprehensive wellness initiative must take advantage of programs already in place.
• Health care personnel need to have an entire “tool kit” if materials on liver wellness, heart disease, and other illnesses so they can be effective in dealing with clients, family, neighbors, friends, business colleagues, etc.
• It is important to identify district stakeholders, get them together and develop a comprehensive wellness plan.  “Sew all of the pieces of cloth together to make a quilt”.
• We could carry out the liver wellness training over the short term while we develop the overall District 7 wellness plan.

PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA (May 21, 2010) The event on Friday marked the 2^nd quarterly “Feed a Stranger” event at the McNair-Trueheart VFW Post 622 in Petersburg, VA. Commander George Friday led the event and Rosa Hopkins was the Mistress of Ceremonies.  A delicious lunch was served by the wives of the Commander and the comrades.

There were 6 speakers and a raffle of door prizes. The speakers for the event were:

Daniel S. Kern, Financial Management Advisor, Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing (DVCH) was the “lead off” speaker and commented about the DVCH and what we are trying to do for disabled veterans in Virginia.

Suzy Lias, Mutual Insurance of Omaha, spoke about Long Term Care.

Attorney Franklin Hall spoke about the “Aid & Attendance” VA benefit.

Bill Humphreys of Crater Community Hospice made remarks on hospice services available to veterans in the area.

Dr. Richard (Dick) L. Seely, President R. L. Seely Homes, LLC talked about the firm’s assistance to disabled veterans who want and need to obtain accessible housing.

Dr. Robert Buncer, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center. Richmond, VA spoke about VA mental health programs.

The event was well attended and was a great way of sharing information within the veteran population in Virginia. The next event will be held in August.

Miss Virginia 2009, Daphne R. Mize, Shannon Beam, John S. Lewandowski

WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA (May 27, 2010) The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing held its 1^st Annual Northern Shenandoah Community event to honor and to thank our men and women in uniform.  The event goal is to bring awareness to all of the challenges men and women in uniform face each and every day to protect our neighborhoods and our community. The event was held at Shenandoah University’s School of Pharmacy, Winchester, Virginia.  There were many dignitaries on hand to “Meet & Greet” and great entertainment.

Dignitaries included: the Mayor’s from Winchester, Berryville, Front Royal, Stephen City, Middletown and also our local Police, Fire and Rescue Chiefs. We ask that you think about the sacrifices of our police, fire fighters, rescue personnel and all others in uniform.  They certainly deserve our highest respect and gratitude for ensuring our safety.  Mayor Elizabeth Minor officially proclaimed this day as “Remembering & Recognizing our Men and Women in Uniform Day”.

Much of the success of the event is due to our presenters and we want to thank them so much for their involvement in the program:  Keynote Speakers, James A. Thur, Northern Virginia Wounded Warrior’s Program and Christopher M. Price, Executive Director, Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission and our Special Guests, Chinah Helmandollar, Miss Virginia 2009 and Shannon Beam our very own Miss Apple Blossom 2010, and Ms Sherry Allen, Valley Health Wellness Services, whose father was a Prisioner of War in World War II.  We also want to thank Brianna and Tyler Hudnall of the Life in the Word Church of Jesus Christ, Inc., Day Care for their outstanding tribute to our men and women in uniform, and to United States Marine Corps Recruiters, Mr. Jeffrey Hartman, Handley High School, and Mr. DeRian Mize, Front Royal, Virginia.

As in all great community events there are companies whose contribution made the event the success it was.  Our sincere thanks go out to each and every one of the following for their donations;

Wal-Mart Superstore #3344, Winchester, Virginia 22603

Wal-Mart Superstore #1406, Winchester, Virginia 22601

Target Store #T-1234, Legge Blvd, Winchester, Virginia 22601

Flowers by Snelling, Winchester, Virginia

Smalt’s Flowers, Winchester, Virginia

Winchester Floral Shop, Winchester, Virginia

Martin’s Food Stores, Rivendell Court, Winchester, Virginia

Martin’s Food Store, Pleasant Valley Rd., Winchester, Virginia

Stroehmann Bread Company, Winchester, Virginia

Olive Garden Restaurant, Winchester, Virginia

Red Lobster, Winchester, Virginia

Perkins Restaurant, Winchester, Virginia

Popeye’s Chicken, Winchester, Virginia

Cracker Barrel, Old Country Store, Winchester, Virginia

Chinatown Kitchen Restaurant, Winchester, Virginia

Applebee’s Restaurant, Winchester, Virginia

Shoney’s Restaurant, Winchester, Virginia

Violino Restorante, Winchester Virginia

Venice Italian Restaurant, Winchester, Virginia

Golden Corral, Winchester, Virginia

Panera Bread, Winchester, Virginia

Heavenly Hams, Winchester, Virginia

Pizza Hut, Winchester, Virginia

Papa John’s Pizza, Winchester, Virginia

Anthony’s Pizza, Valley Ave, Winchester, Virginia

Domino’s Pizza, Wilson Boulevard, Winchester, VA

Coca Cola Beverage, Hagerstown, MD

B.J. Sagers, Inc., Winchester, Virginia

Hershey Ice Cream, Winchester, Virginia

Garber’s Ice Cream, Winchester, Virginia

Da Da’s Ice Cream, Winchester, Virginia

As with all great events we had to have sponsors.  I want to especially thank the following for all their help in making this event so successful:

Grand Home Furnishing, Winchester, Virginia

R. L. Seely Homes, LLC, Woodford, Virginia

Dr. Melissa Seely-Morgan, DeKalb Medical – Hillandale Campus, Atlanta, GA

The George Washington Hotel, Winchester, Virginia

Apple Federal Credit Union, Fairfax, Virginia

Shenandoah Motors, Front Royal, Virginia

Winchester Printers, Winchester, Virginia

The Green-Men Landscape, Winchester, Virginia

A Special Thank You to the FAITH Network, Woodstock, Virginia

Ron, Melanie, Christie