From longterm, intensive experience, Laing offers her advice: “It’s really important to work as a whole, as a District, because one person can’t do it all. Everybody has something new to bring to the table to make things run smoother.” Another tip: Put out feelers. Sound the call for assistance outside your group into the community-


at-large. “People really like to help military families, and they love being involved,” Laing said. “I’ve spent hours and hours dialing and dialing and dialing. I learn so much each time, and it just gives me more gas – I just want to do it more and more. There are resources out there. Just keep dialing.” n MS


STATS AND HOW-TO TIPS


Since its inception in 2004, Unmet Needs has assisted more than 3,000 families with grants totaling more than $4.2 million. These grants of up to $2,500 each are paid directly to creditors in hardship cases for mortgage payments, home repairs and other urgent needs. Nearly 1,500 MAP grants were awarded to Departments and Posts for morale-boosting events and other special military assistance since 2005, benefiting more than 1.3 million military members and their families. Through Operation UplinkTM


, 5.8 million connections have been


provided since 2006 through MWR Internet Cafes in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait through VFW’s “Free Call Days.” The three programs combined have assisted almost two million service members and their families in the past year alone, according to Linda Ferguson, National Military Services Manager, Special Programs and Projects.


“That says a lot for the support of our programs that would not be possible without the overwhelming support we receive from the Ladies Auxiliary VFW,” she said.


All National Military Services programs require financial assistance, and Auxiliaries are encouraged to use Relief Funds and hold special fundraisers to support them. But Auxiliaries and individuals can also contribute donations in any amount. Checks should be made payable to the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, earmarked “National Military Services,” and mailed to National Headquarters, 406 West 34th Street, 10th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64111. For more information about applying for a MAP grant, contact John Linstra at 816-756-3390, ext. 211. For more information on Unmet Needs, contact Rick Butler at 816-968-1144.


28 LADIES AUXILIARY VFW MAGAZINE


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