Community service activities provide every VFW and Auxiliary member opportunities to participate in programs designed to benefit your city, town or neighborhood, and organizations, institutions, or individuals not affiliated with the VFW or the Auxiliary.
Some of Post 1679's activities are:
REHABILITATION/SERVICE/EMERGENCY
Rehab programs include: the Drug Abuse Program, Department Wheelchair Games, the Service Fund, the Emergency Program, and support for senior citizens. Rehabilitation is the most important program in the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary. It gives assistance to veterans and families outside the hospital.
AVENUE OF FLAGS
Over 750 casket flags are put up with formal ceremonies at Ivy Lawn Cemetery twice a year - on Memorial Day and on Veteran's Day.
CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Department of California's Scholarship Program makes financial aid available for sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters of a member. Persons who are graduating from a high school or a junior college or are continuing students at a college or university are eligible to apply.
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY
A 3 to 5
minute recorded essay on a cassette tape can be entered in the contest. The tapes are
judged at the local level, the district level, the state level and the national level. A
$20,000 scholarship for the winner is available at the national level. Work with schools
in late August or early September; local and district judging are finished by late
November. Sponsoring this program creates public awareness and positive involvement with
schools.
YOUNG AMERICAN CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ART CONTEST
Open to students in grades 9 through 12.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Sponsorship of a youth group such as 4-H and Boy and Girl Scouts is another way your Auxiliary can help. Recognize Girl Scouts with Gold or Silver Awards. Promote the Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Award. Become involved with the Special Olympics or your local Safe and Sober Grad Nights. You can help your local police with a Youth Identification Program.
SAFETY PROGRAM
Safety education and promotion in many areas: Highway and Pedestrian Safety, Lite-a-Bike, Recreational Safety, Home and Fire Safety, "Just Say No" Drug Awareness program, and Recognition program - appreciation for law enforcement officers, fire fighters and emergency medical personnel.
DONATIONS
Post 1679 gives to: American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Club of Ventura, Paralyzed Veterans, Salvation Army, Arthritis Foundation, Red Cross, Rescue Mission and other groups. (Fundraising comes from "the Bingo Funds".)
SUPPORT
Post 1679 is active in the Santa Barbara Diabetes Support Group. The Post helps with Little League Baseball and other groups.
For more information, contact the Post.
E-Mail