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.”