Vietnam Veterans of AmericaChapter 227 of Northern Virginia fulfilled its founding principle – “Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another” – by providing holiday cheer to military veterans and active-duty personnel in several ways.
For the 14th consecutive year, the chapter provided gift cards in value from $100 for a single veteran to $475 for a married veteran with children for the holidays. This year’s amount of $8,380 benefits 43 veterans and their families.
Recipients are in the Veterans Administration Supportive Housing (VASH) program for veterans and their families to assist in their transition from homelessness. Len Ignatowski, the chapter’s vice president, manages the program.
For the 12th consecutive year, three Wounded Warrior families were “adopted” for the holidays. The three families include a single parent with one child, a married veteran with two children, and a second married veteran with four children. Their Santa List items rangd from gift cards to clothing.
Carolyn J. Lehowicz provides the names from her volunteer work with veterans and service organizations, while chapter treasurer Chuck Harris and others do the shopping. A total of $1,000 is allocated for each veteran’s Santa List.
Donations are being accepted to assist the chapter’s veteran-outreach effort throughout the year. Donations can be mailed to VVA Chapter 227, Attn: Chuck Harris, 44020 Pandora Court, Ashburn, Va. 20147-3844.
Chapter 227 offers camaraderie and opportunities to assist veterans, active military personnel, and the community. For information, call call Ignatowski at (703) 255-0353 or see the chapter Webpage at www.vva227.org.
