Region 8 Answers Call To Assist
VFW National Home for Children
By Region 8 Webmaster John Davis
The UAW and the VFW National Home for Children
recently announced a unique partnership to build a townhouse-style duplex
for the children and families of veterans. The VFW National Home operates
distinctive programs to house and support veterans and their families
and has been in operation since 1925.
“We’re delighted and proud to have the UAW Veterans Committee
as partners,” said Patrice Green, Executive Director of the VFW
National Home for Children. “This marks the first time we have
partnered with any organization outside of the VFW in this way, and
the first new housing to be built in more than 30 years.”
Groundbreaking on the townhouse-style duplex for the children and families
of veterans will take place this spring. The two-unit structure will
be built with union labor on the National Home’s campus in Eaton
Rapids, Michigan. The townhouse-style duplex will house residents in
the National Home’s Single Parent Family Program. The goal-oriented
program provides housing and support to struggling families for up to
three years as they complete education, training and counseling to become
self-sufficient community members.
“Our members feel very strongly that we as a union should do whatever
we can to support veterans and their families,” UAW President
Ron Gettelfinger states. UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who directs
the union’s Veterans Affairs Department, said the idea formed
as UAW members sought ways to help veterans and current military service
personnel.
“Our Veterans Department was looking for ways we could serve those
who have served this country so honorably,” Rapson said. “We
found a common purpose with the VFW National Home for Children.”
The home is being financed by donations from local unions across the
country, with laid-off UAW members assisting with building the structure.
UAW Region 8 set a goal of raising $20,000 to go toward the effort,
but leaped passed the goal totaling $23,633.51 in donations. “On
behalf of Director Casteel, I take this opportunity to say a heartfelt
thank-you for your exceptional work in raising the Regions contribution
to this very worthy cause, the National Veterans Home,” states
Region 8 Assistant Director Donny Bevis. “A special thank you
goes to Charlie Alfred and the Region 8 Retired Workers whose donation
of $7000.00 put us well over the top of our goal of $20,000.00 and the
$2000.00 annual maintenance upkeep fee. It is only through your tireless
efforts that Region 8 could step forward and be counted as first to
answer the call of assistance to this cause.”
Local Union Contributions
Local 1853 - $500.00
Local 239 - $1,000.00
Local 737 - $495.00
Local 882 - $2,300.06
Local 919 - $1,000.00
Local 2402 - $200.00
Local 171 - $1,745.00
Local 239 - $1,000.00
Local 239 - $573.00
Local 2069 - $2,000.00
SC PA CAP - $100.00
Local 1590 - $250.00
Local 1617 - $250.00
Local 2406 - $92.25
Local 5285 - $100.00
Local 1832 - $200.00
Local 1832 - $500.00
Local 1621- $200.00
Local 5285 - $500.00
Local 2999 - $500.00
Local 1929 - $500.00
Local 472 - $250.00
Local 2195 - $100.00
Local 1676 - $500.00
Local 1413 - $428.20
GA CAP - $500.00
Local 9023 - $100.00
WV CAP - $500.00
Local 2123 - $250.00
Region 8 Retirees - $7,000.00
Total - $23,633.51
