Give a Day, Get a Disney Day!

There are so many reasons to celebrate – birthdays, anniversaries, reunions - or any of life's most special moments. But this year, Disney Parks is celebrating the good things people do for their communities. In 2010, Disney wants to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities and in exchange for their service they will receive a free one-day admission to a theme park at Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort. Starting January 1, 2010, go to www.disneyparks.com to search for volunteer opportunities; many will be projects that entire families can participate in together.

If you have any questions about participating in this campaign, please refer to the resources provided at http://www.disneyparks.com. Thanks

H.R. 1401: VET Corps Act of 2009

H.R. 1401: VET Corps Act of 2009

3/9/2009--Introduced.

VET Corps Act of 2009 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to establish the Veterans Engaged for Tomorrow Corps (VET Corps), composed of veterans, retired military personnel, and their family members to: (1) help veterans, retired military personnel, and their family members obtain training, certification, or access to education or employers and otherwise to serve their communities through national and community service programs; (2) support existing outreach efforts to inform veterans about available services and benefits; (3) act as a clearinghouse for persons desiring to serve the veteran population; (4) coordinate with other departments and agencies to identify and address existing and future needs and challenges of veterans; and (5) provide veterans with opportunities to adjust to civilian life. Allows individuals to serve as VET Corps members for up to 24 months. Outlines VET Corps membership requirements and authorized benefits while performing or participating in VET Corps projects. Directs the Corporation to make grants to veteran service organizations, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, state or local governments, or institutions of higher education for establishing, operating, and supporting VET Corps projects.

Veterans Expeditions at Outward Bound

Outward Bound
http://www.outwardbound.org/index.cfm/do/cp.veterans

Adventure and challenge, solitude, reflection, and renewal, the wilderness has always symbolized a new beginning - a place for discovery and fulfilling adventure. The Outward Bound program for Veterans provides an opportunity for camaraderie and has proven to be a powerful tool helping veterans readjust after leaving the combat zone.

Through generous funding by the Military Family Outdoor Initiative Project, a joint partnership of The Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation, The Anschutz Family Foundation, and The Disabled American Veterans we are offering fully underwritten Outward Bound programs to Veterans. This is a tremendous opportunity for adventure and self-discovery to our veterans of combat operations in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). We have over 20 years serving our nation's combat veterans through a long partnership with the Disabled American Veterans organization, where we have offered enriching wilderness expeditions specifically designed for war veterans at no cost to the participants.

Our newest programs offer numerous wilderness adventures exclusively for war veterans, and are fully funded for all participants, to include their roundtrip stateside travel costs between home and the excursion site. Our goals include helping participating veterans build a supportive community with other war veterans; facilitating discussions on readjustment and transition challenges; and re-energizing and reinvigorating our veterans' spirits with adventures and challenges in the beautiful outdoors.

Need Furniture For Your Veteran Organization?

Housing for Homeless Veterans (HHV) has been given 1600 rooms of Hotel/Motel furniture and are making this available to all Veteran oriented organizations for FREE. Approx value= $280,000.

The furniture will become available January 10, 2010. Please not that shipping & handling is not included but available through a third party.

For more information contact:
anthonyhhv@hotmail.com
(702) 292-7171

Veterans Day Brings Focus on Volunteerism

A coalition of nonprofit groups today announced a campaign to unite civilian and military organizations in community-service projects to help military personnel, veterans, and their families — and described more than 30 specific projects, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports.

Plus: Charities, churches, and other civic organizations are failing to harness a potential army of volunteers — veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, says a new report. more...

(via Philanthropytoday.com)

Resume Critique

If you are looking for a resume critique and/or mock interview practice:

HR Professionals from an East King County company will be providing resume critiques and mock interviews for Veterans on November 19th from 1 pm to 4 pm.

For more information and to be signed up, please contact Kevin at 425-861-3746 or Sarah at 425-861-3704.

If you are interested in a Mock interview you will need to email in the potential job that you are interesting in interviewing for and your resume.

If you are interested in a résumé critique please email your resume to Sarah Rimbaugh once your have received your appointment time. srimbaugh@esd.wa.gov

Sarah Rimbaugh
WorkSource Redmond
srimbaugh@esd.wa.gov
www.go2worksource.com
www.wa.gov/esd/redmond/

Honoring student veterans

Honoring student veterans

Memorial pays homage to those who make the transition 'From Boots to Books'

By Tony Dondero
Enterprise reporter

Troy Montgomery completed two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Turkmenistan before he enrolled in Edmonds Community College to prepare for a career in mechanical engineering.

While it's not always an easy transition from military life to school, veterans like Montgomery, 28, have found a way to support each other.

Montgomery is the president of Club Vet, a campus group founded in fall of 2008, which supports students who have served in the military.

This year the group designed, commissioned and raised money for a monument to honor veterans past, present and future. The idea originated with previous Club Vet president Timm Lovitt, who graduated from EdCC and currently attends Seattle University. A dedication ceremony held Nov. 5 in Brier Hall featured guest speaker Michael Reagan, a Perrinville resident and Vietnam veteran who has drawn portraits of more than 1,900 members of the armed forces who have died in recent conflicts.

The monument, “From Boots to Books,” is located on a hilly green space west of Brier Hall. Artist Roger Robert Wheeler of the Fremont Fine Arts Foundry of Seattle is working on the final piece, a bronze sculpture of a pair of boots stacked on a pile of books. A wax prototype currently sits on top of the stone base. The base, worth $2,000, was donated by Michael Homchick Stoneworks of Kenmore. Homchick's father was a World War II veteran.

Montgomery, who joined Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870 in Lynnwood after completing his service, gave presentations to various veterans groups in the area to raise funds for the monument. About $3,000 was raised to finance the building of the monument, which will cost about $5,000 total to build. Some college employees, including the American Federation of Teachers #4254 in Edmonds, also donated.

Meanwhile, Club Vet continues to support veterans from all walks of life. Hossam Basha, a Fulbright exchange student from Egypt and member of the Egyptian military, was among those on hand for the ceremony.

Martin Spani, a Marine who served during the Cuban missile crisis and Vietnam, also came to support the cause. Spani has taken fire science, first aid and CPR classes at Edmonds. Spani's VFW Post added 22 new members this year.

“It's a great program,” Spani said after the ceremony. “It's great to see the vets are getting some recognition from the college.”

West Central Spokane Graffiti Abatement - October 24th

Jetty Island Planting-Nov 14th

Hire America's Heroes

Hire America's Heroes is dedicated to sharing and promoting sponsor corporations' best practices and success strategies by which America's military service members, upon transition from active duty, are welcomed into the corporate workforce.

These best practices cover: transition from military to corporate culture, corporate recruiting topics, hiring and on-boarding practices, and strategies for retaining military hires in the corporate workforce.

Hire America's Heroes reaches out to the entire military family which includes spouses and Wounded Warrior care-givers.

http://www.hireamericasheroes.org/

CWU veterans center now open to students

by Erin Snelgrove
Yakima Herald-Republic

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Student veterans now have access to a new Veterans Services Center at Central Washington University.

The center officially opened last week in Room 463 of the Psychology Building. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, CWU President James Gaudino, First Gentleman Mike Gregoire and John Lee, director of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, spoke on the center's importance (...)

via Yakima Herald-Republic

Free Cinamon Roll French Toast at Ruby's Diner

Click on the picture for a full size coupon you can print out!

Free on Veterans Day

- Free Day at National Parks, Forests on Veterans Day, Nov. 11
http://www.bayareaonthecheap.com/free-day-at-national-parks-forests-veterans-day-nov-11/

APPLEBEE'S: Veterans get a free entree when they show proof of military service on Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11).

Brown Bear Car Wash is proud to honor veterans and service personnel on Veterans Day with free car washes at all our tunnel car washes. This program is designed to show our support and gives us a unique opportunity to say "thank you" to people who sacrifice for our freedom. http://www.brownbear.com/veteransday/


Free Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for Veterans and Military Personnel on Veterans Day!

Job Far

Veteran Job Fair@ Renton Work Source Office

500 SW 7th Street #100Renton, WA 98057
November 10th, Tuesday10am - 12pm OR 12PM - 2PM

Call or e-mail Gregory Lindvig to register;253-8041132glindvig@esd.wa.gov

Brown Bear Car wash

Dear Veteran,
Brown Bear Car Wash is proud to honor veterans and service personnel on Veterans Day with free car washes at all our tunnel car washes. This program is designed to show our support and gives us a unique opportunity to say "thank you" to people who sacrifice for our freedom.
Veterans Day is Wednesday November 11, 2009. We hope this small gesture will increase support for veterans throughout the business community as well as create enthusiasm and patriotism in our workforce.
Just identify yourself as a current or former member of the military to the wash attendant and we will wash your car at no charge.
We know that Freedom is not free. November 11, 2009 is an opportunity for Brown Bear Car Wash to show united support for veterans by offering all military personnel a free car wash on Veterans Day.
Respectfully, Victor OdermatPresident

http://www.brownbear.com/veteransday/

The History of Veterans Day

The History of Veterans Day


Did you know that most Americans confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day? Learn the history of Veterans Day.

What Do You Know About Veterans Day?

http://www.military.com/veterans-day/history-of-veterans-day.htm

Free Dental Care

Free Dental Care

Nov 25, 2009 - Nov 25, 2009 08:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Free Dental Care Day for Disabled Veterans and their Family Caregivers

Eligibility:
Service Disabled Veterans & their Family Caregivers
Proof of Eligibility: NSC/Class II
Have no dental insurance
Date: Wed, Nov 25th, 2009Time: 8:00am to 3:00pm
Place: 22516 SE 64th Pl, Issaquah, WA 98027
Other pampering services and goodie bags provided
Call Dr. Theresa Cheng, (425) 392-8992 for an appointment. Limited availability
http://www.nvf.org/events/item.php?id=176

The Soldiers Project

The Soldiers Project

We are a group of licensed mental health professionals who offer free psychological treatment to military service members (active duty, National Guard, Reserves and veterans) who have served or who expect to serve in OEF and/or OIF.

http://www.thesoldiersproject.org/

2-1-1

Here's a resource for you all: 2-1-1. Students in need of anything…look for resources to help with short term loan for utilities, housing, etc. can call 2-1-1 (kind of like 911) and speak to someone that will find the appropriate resource for them and connect the student with it…

This is a bit like the crisis center. The Crisis Center is putting in a bid for a King County grant to get a special phone number specific to veterans because they have seen an increase in veterans calling. They have a website too at www.crisisclinic.org

Engineering and Science grant with specific veterans focus

The Innovations in Engineering Education, Curriculum, and Infrastructure (IEECI) program supports research that addresses three aspects of engineering education:

1. How students best learn the ideas, principles, and practices to become creative and innovative engineers, and how this learning is measured.
   
2. How to more effectively translate successes in engineering education research into widespread practice with consideration of curriculum, student learning, innovation models, and cyber-learning technology.
   
3. Implementation of programs for students supported by the GI Bill.
   

The National Science Foundation will provide 35 to 40 awards. Approximately 10 Area 1 grants are anticipated and approximately 25 to 30 awards are anticipated in Areas 2 and 3. The funding amount will be $150,000 to $400,000. The total anticipated funding in fiscal year 2010 for projects associated with this announcement is $8.5 million. Funding is contingent upon availability of appropriations. Area 1 projects will be funded at a level ofup to $400,000. Area 2 or 3 projects will be funded at a level of up to $150,000, but projects involving multiple universities may apply for grants of up to $200,000 Deadline: 2010-01-20; 2010-03-30...

Click here for more info. And here. And here.

(via: ScienceCareers.org)

October for VetCorps Spokane

Cameron, Janette and Brian building a roof on an educational shelter at Turnbull National Wildlife

Seth and Cameron hustling wood. As you can see it's a big shelter

John making a cut while Seth and Cameron stand about. Power tools!!!

Cameron putting his time in

Seth working hard

A group of us watching Seth work hard

These are just a few pictures of the VCC working with the community making a difference!

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants-Veterans Appreciation Day

For the 11th straight year, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will host its Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 8, at participating restaurants across the country. As part of the celebration, McCormick & Schmick's will offer U.S. military veterans a complimentary entree in appreciation for their service to our country.