Volunteer Chapters Newsletter March 2017 Greetings! Happy Spring! As many chapters wrap up awards season, we have been welcoming students from around the country for both our Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program and History Encounters Program. Make sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram to see all of the fun students have while on campus! Brand Champions of the Month February: Congratulations to the Broward County Chapter for utilizing the new branding system in their January 2017 Newsletter! March: Congratulations to the Mary Ball Washi ngton Chapter for working with Louise to redesign their 2017 Chapter Handbook! Need help with the new national branding? Let Louise help your chapter! March Madness...For FFVF? Why are you mad for Freedoms Foundation?! "I love what FFVF does for the young people of our nation. I truly believe we are an under educated society when it comes to the realm of civics, and to see how the students in our programs react gives one hope for the future. I am especially pleased to see that we've made such great inroads with our teacher program. When we reach a teacher, we are reaching hundreds of students." Sandy Lipstien - National Board of Directors
Reply to this email and tell us why you're mad for Freedoms Foundation! Broward Count y Chapt er February 24, 2017 The Broward County Chapter hosted their 44th Annual George Washington Birthday Fundraiser Gala on February 24, 2017 at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club. The black tie event was a big success with WWII US Army Purple Heart Recipient Carl Arfa as the evening's guest of honor. The Chapter awarded 3 George Washington Honor Medals and a Certificate of Merit in addition to Youth Essay Contest winners and local awards. Keeping with tradition, the evening's festivities kicked off with the Ladies of the Original Thirteen Colonies making their grand entrance! Pictured: (L-R) Students protray Grorge and Martha Washington, MGySgt Alberto Gomez, Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie and Mrs. Runcie, Chapter Creative Director Lina Montes, and Immediate Past President and Jane Wikberg Outstanding Volunteer Service Awardee Abi Montes Dallas Area Chapt er February 23, 2017 The Dallas Area Chapter celebrated their 46th annual awards banquet at the Museum of Biblical Art on February 23, 2017. The Chapter honored 4 George Washington Honor Medal awardees and 3 George Washington Honor Medal on a Neck Ribbon for Youth Essay Contest winners. Mary Ann Hardison was awarded the Chapter's Spirit of '76 Volunteer of the Year award for her 30+ years of dedication to the Dallas Area Chapter.
Bac k Row-Betty Sue Welch(Com. Service GWHM), Geoffrey Son(GWHM essay), Sophie Robertson(GWHM essay), Bela Pathak(GWHM-essay), Tom Landis(Com. Service GWHM), Patrick Esquerre(Com. Service GWHM), Talmage Boston(Public Communication GWHN), Julie Noble(Co-President), Pierce Noble(Co-President), Cindy Crouse(Award Chair). Front row- Alan Johnson(SAR), Mary Anne Hardison (Spirit of '76) and Drake Peddie(SAR). Great er Cincinnat i Chapt er March 12, 2017 The Greater Cincinnati Chapter celebrated both their awards ceremony and student welcome-back dinner on Sunday, March 12. The Chapter welcomed guests and FFVF President and CEO, Michael Di Yeso. In addition to honoring their award winners, the students recently sponsored by the Cincinnati Chapter talked about their experiences while traveling to Valley Forge, PA for our Spirit of American Youth Leadership Program. Michael Di Yeso with Connor Thomas and Chapter president Bob Stevens Los Angles Count y Chapt er
February 23, 2017 The Los Angles County Chapter celebrated their annual awards luncheon honoring 12 members of their community on February 23. The Chapter welcomed a record number of guests to Spago's restaurant. VP of Education, Jason Raia, joined the celebration and represented the National office. Standing: Awards Committee member Gloria Dahl, Joe Gaytan, Larry Elder, FFVF National VP of Education Jason Raia, James Stadler, LA Chapter President Tanya Caligiuri, John Wells and Russel Arentzoff. Sitting: Keith Christian, Jill Tobin, Levi Thornhill and Marion Small Orange Count y Chapt er February 16, 2017 Celebrating their 50th anniversary, the Orange County Chapter hosted their annual awards luncheon on February 16. Freedoms Foundation President and CEO Michael Di Yeso was among those in attendance and spoke on the great work of the chapter's 50 year history and the work to continue in the future. The Chapter honored 3 awardees with the George Washington Honor Medal and 2 with Youth Essay Neck Ribbons. President and CEO Michael Di Yeso stands with Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel, GW Honor Medal recipient Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White House Restaurant, and Chapter members Pensacola Chapt er Pensacola Chapt er February 28, 2017
The Pensacola Chapter hosted their 33rd Annual Awards Banquet at the Pensacola Yacht Club. The chapter awarded an impressive 13 George Washington Honor Medals, 6 George Washington Honor Medal on a Neck Ribbon for Youth Essays Contest winners, and 7 Certificates of Merit. The Pensacola Chapter takes great pride in being a part of their community and honoring those giving back. Pictured is GW Honor Medal awardee Frank Emond a Pearl Harbor survivor and active community volunteer. Mr. Emond is accompanied by Mrs. Betty Williams (left), Pensacola Chapter co-president and Mrs. Emond (right). Sacrament o Chapt er Volunteer Chapter of the Year February 21, 2017 The Sacramento Chapter hosted their awards luncheon on February 21 welcoming California Secretary of State Alex Padilla as the keynote speaker. 4 George Washington Honor Medals were awarded as well as 5 George Washington Honor Medals on a Neck Ribbon for the Youth Essay Contest. Adult Community GW Honor winner, Stand Up Placer, published a wonderful press release about the event and the connection between the mission of FFVF and their work.
Sacramento Chapter President Stan Leavitt with GW Honor Medal recipients San Diego Chapt er February 9, 2017 // March 9, 2017 The San Diego Chapter hosted their awards banquet on February 9 at the Admiral Baker Club House. The event welcomed 75 guests as the chapter celebrates its 50th anniversary! Washington Honor Medal recipients Chris Megison, Jo Dee Jacob and Howard Oleff The chapter hosted their annual "Fly Away" Breakfast on March 9 hosted by Allied Gardens Optimist Club. Each year, they welcome the students who will be representing the Chapter at the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program along with their parents. This breakfast helps the students get acquainted and prepares them for their upcoming trip to the east coast! "Fly Away" Breakfast - 2017 Spirit of America Students Tuscon Chapt er March 7, 2017
The Tuscon Chapter held their annual Pizza Awards Night on March 7. The Chapter honored their award winners and prepared students for their trip to Valley Forge for the April Spirit of America Program. Kenneth George read his award winning essay to the audience. Ut ah Chapt er February 9, 2017 The Utah Chapter welcomed many to their annual Local Heroes award ceremony and lunch. In addition to the inspiring stories of local heroes going above and beyond, they awarded 6 George Washington Honor Medals, 8 Youth Essay George Washington Honor Ribbons, and 1 Military Youth Essay George Washington Ribbon. Special guests in attendance included Utah Governor Gary Herbert and our own Director of Educational Programs, Carolyn Santangelo. For continual chapter updates visit: Volunteer Chapter News Missing snow in your area? Here are some snowy shots of campus after Winter Storm Stella hit the east coast last week!
Graduate Teacher Programs Applications now being accepted! The application process for the 2017 Graduate Teacher Program is open! All teachers are welcome to apply. Look for the Teachers section of our website for more information on the programs being offered this summer and how to apply. Upcoming Events Here's a look at what's happening in 2017: Eve nts An Evening with Freedoms Foundation: April 27th WWII Event: May 6-7 National Volunteer Chapters Conference: September 14-17
Student Program s April 6-9: Volunteer Chapters Spirit of America April 20-23: Military Order of the World Wars Spirit of America June 15-18: VFW Voice of Democracy July 6-9: National Sojourners Spirit of America July 30: August 4 - Service Learning in Public Policy (SLiPP) Sem inars Graduate Teacher Programs June 18-23: Medal of Honor Legacy: WWII June 25-30: Medal of Honor Legacy: War on Terror July 9-14: Biography and Character July 16-21: Medal of Honor Legacy July 23-28: Medal of Honor Legacy: Vietnam Works hops Graduate Teacher Traveling Programs June 24 - July 1: Civil War South July 15-21: American Revolution South Treasurer's Chest March Fundraising Ideas! Spring into Fundraising! Just like spring flowers, fundraising ideas are springing up! Yankee Candle Fundraiser Easter Egg Hunt Eye Dying Night Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Easter Candy / Flower Sale Spring Cleaning Garage Sale Spring bulb/plant sale High Tea Party Lawn Mowing for a Cause Host a Birdhouse Painting Class Host a Spring Fling Dinner Louise Savarese Developm ent Manager Volunteer Chapter Liais on "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
lsavarese@ffvf.org 610.933.8825 x 231 Stay Connected change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead