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Habitat Bucks Partners with Travis Manion Foundation on “The House that Valor Built”

January 28, 2013 By

 

Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County is pleased to announce that the Travis Manion Foundation has donated $5,000 towards “The House that Valor Built,” and will be partnering with Habitat Bucks to advocate for this campaign.  The Valor House will be one of the townhomes in the second phase of our Penn Villa project scheduled to begin in late Summer of 2013. There will be a total of 10 town homes in this development, located in Sellersville, PA.  Each cluster will consist of two four-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units.  Cluster One is currently under construction and will be completed by Fall 2013.

Habitat’s motto “A Hand up Not a Handout” and the Travis Manion Foundation’s motto to “Honor the Fallen by Challenging the Living” strategically align with this campaign.  The veteran who will be living in “The House that Valor Built” has been identified as Jeff Garber, a former Marine, Purple Heart recipient, veteran of two tours in Iraq who is currently working the telecommunications field.  Jeff is a life-long resident of Bucks County and will be working alongside our volunteers and sponsors to help build his home.

“We are so pleased to be partnering with the Travis Manion Foundation on the “The House that Valor Built” said Florence Kawoczka, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County.  “Both of our organizations are committed to serving people in the community, and this opportunity to provide affordable housing to a local veteran is both exciting and rewarding” said Kawoczka.

James Brobyn, Executive Director of the Travis Manion Foundation, joined in and said “We are honored to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County on ‘The House that Valor Built.’ Both of our organizations empower people to take the next step in their lives. Directly supporting a local combat wounded Marine, while also providing service based opportunities for the residents of Bucks County, aligns with our mission and also serves as a perfect opportunity to join our efforts for the greater good.”

For more information about “The House that Valor Built,” please visit our website at:  http://habitatbucks.org/news/construction-news/

About Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County

The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County is to build affordable homes, better lives, stronger families, and safer, revitalized communities through partnerships with people and organizations throughout Bucks County.  Founded on Christian principles, we offer the opportunity for all people regardless of religious or cultural background to make safe, simple, affordable housing a matter of conscience and action.

Since our founding in 1990, Habitat Bucks has built 87 affordable homes in Bucks County.  Habitat relies on the generosity and commitment of our neighbors and partner families to provide these resources.

For more information about Habitat Bucks, please call 215.822.2812 or visit www.habitatbucks.org.

About Travis Manion Foundation

The Foundation’s Mission is to assist our nation’s veterans and the families of Fallen Heroes. We will continue the service to community and country exemplified by these Fallen Heroes and veterans. In the spirit of the Fallen, we will foster strength of mind and body to create a generation of future leaders.

Headquartered in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, the Travis Manion Foundation has built a national reputation for using innovative programs that transform communities through service and how we honor those who serve.

Our team is comprised Gold Star family members, military veterans – many with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan – and spouses and family members of service members. The passion and dedication of our staff is evident in the impact we have empowering survivors, veterans, and citizens to take positive action and never forget the sacrifice of those who gave their all for our today.

We characterize our programs and impact as the “If Not Me, Then Who… “ movement. The movement serves as a catalyst for activating service based on the example provided us by our Fallen Heroes.

For more information on the Travis Manion Foundation, please visit www.travismanion.org

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Fairless Hills Elks Lodge #2023

January 25, 2013 By

Fairless Hills Elks Lodge #2023, which is located at 835 West Bridge Street in Morrisville and has over 400 members, was chartered in March 1957.  The Lodge sponsors and supports many charitable and community functions and activities in the area, some of which are as follows:

VETERANS

Annually, the Lodge partners with Boy Scout Troop #210 in the “WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA” ceremony held at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery.  The Lodge purchases wreaths and places them at gravesites.  Members visit the Philadelphia Veterans Hospital quarterly and provide patients with refreshments and necessities.  Once a year our Lodge hosts a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for veterans from local nursing homes.

AMERICANISM

The Elks is the founder of Flag Day and each year our Lodge holds a Flag Day Ceremony.  Member organizations from the Community including the American Legion, VFW, Guardians of the National Cemetery and Boys and Girls Scouts participate in the activities.  As part of the proceeds from an Elks National Foundation Grant, the Lodge recently presented a $500 check to the Guardians of the National Cemetery for uniforms used during their ceremonies.

Each year the Lodge also sponsors an essay contest on patriotism, which is open to grades 5 through 8 in the Morrisville and Pennsbury school districts.  Winners are presented with plaques at the Flag Day Ceremony.  Winners at the Lodge level have the opportunity to advance to district, state and national competitions. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Elks National Foundation is second only to the Federal Government in scholarship awards for higher education.  Fairless Hills Lodge presents three $1,000 scholarships each year.  The essay contest is open to students from Morrisville, Pennsbury and Bishop/Conwell Schools.

CHARITY—CEREBRAL PALSY HOME SERVICE PROGRAM

The PA Elks Home Service Program is an in-home nursing care service managed by registered nurses offered to people who have developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, down syndrome, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, speech, hearing and visual disorders and mental disabilities.   The Lodge has several fundraisers during the year to support this program such as an all-u-can eat buffet and breakfast on the 3rd Sunday of each month—September through April, Mothers Day & Fathers Day.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Our Lodge takes part in a “Hoop Shoot” & “Soccer Shoot,” open to all local students ages 8 to 13.  Winners participate in the Regional and State Finals with the ultimate goal being advancement to the National Finals.

DRUG AWARENESS

Each year the Elks hold a drug awareness essay and poster contest, which is open to grades 3 through 8.  The theme is chosen by the Grand Lodge.  Winners are presented awards at our annual Flag Day celebration, and they have the opportunity to compete at the District and possibly advance to the state and national level. 

With the remaining proceeds from the Elks National Foundation grant, the Lodge presented the Lower Makefield Police Department with a $500 check for their Dare Program.  Supplies including pencils, ribbons, coloring books, etc. were also donated.

DICTIONARY PROGRAM

As part of this program, recently the Lodge gave 250 dictionaries to students in grade 3 from Holy Trinity, St. John Evangelist and the Grandview schools.

BLOOD DRIVE

Twice a year our Lodge, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, holds blood drives at the Lodge.

LODGE ACTIVITIES

Fairless Hills Lodge #2023 has many activities including Pool, Dart and Shuffleboard Leagues.  We hold a Children’s Christmas party and Easter Egg Hunt.  We have Friday Night Dinners that are open to the public as well as Dinner Dances throughout the year. We have bingo every Tuesday night beginning at 6:45 pm which is open to the public.  Our Hall can accommodate 250 people and we cater weddings, parties and other types of meetings and functions.

These activities, which are run by our House, Bingo and Cerebral Palsy committees generate revenues that support our many functions and activities.

We are always looking for new members.  So if you are interested please call the Lodge at 215-295-5333 or Lydia Devlin, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler at 215-295-0121.

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Veterans Square Monument/Lower Makefield Veterans Committee

January 21, 2013 By

The Lower Makefield Veterans Committee is a volunteer group dedicated to creating a timeless monument to honor veterans of the past, present and future within a peaceful park setting. They want to create a gathering place for both public and private events and educate the children of our community about the sacrifices made by our service men and women in an uplifting way.

The monument will be located at Veterans Square on the corner of Edgewood and Heacock Roads, near McCaffreys Shopping Center. A professional four-person design team donated their talents to design the monument. There will be a life-size bronze eagle atop the back wall of the monument representing hope and the resilience of the human spirit.

Veterans who have lived in Lower Makefield or Yardley at any time in their lives may have their names engraved free of charge on the Wall of Honor. There will also be a bronze memorial plaque honoring those who gave their lives for their country.

The committee is raising the money themselves, using no tax dollars, and has raised in excess of $150,000 thus far. They have launched a Stepping Stone Campaign where residents and businesses can purchase a Freedom Paver to be a permanent part of the monument. Sponsorship levels range from $125 to $10,000.

They are a 501(c)3 nonprofit; donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. They have also established a corporate matching program. The committee hopes for the project to be bid and constructed in 2013.

Visit www.VeteransSquare.org for more information. You may contact them via their website or call 267-274-1195. 

Volunteers are always welcome!

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Warriors’ Watch watching the backs of returned veterans

November 2, 2012 By

by Mimi Rowland

“Never again will an American warrior be scorned or ignored” could be seen on the backs of many shirts.

Decals on motorcycles and patches on jackets read, “We have your backs at home.” These are the promises made by the Warriors’ Watch riders.

The Warriors’ Watch is a national organization dedicated to supporting American troops. That includes veterans of all military branches, police, firefighters, and first responders.

The group was started in 2008 in Willow Grove, by veteran Wayne Lutz who didn’t want any veterans to go unnoticed like those who had returned from Vietnam. The group has grown to more than 5000 members in 38 states. The group does 15 to 20 rides per month here in Southeastern Pennsylvania alone.

[Read more...]

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USO Dinner Dance is Nov. 9th

October 26, 2012 By

Tickets are now on sale for the USO Dinner Dance at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland on Friday, November 9th from 7:00 to 11:00pm.

Tickets are $65 and includes: buffet dinner, all non-alcoholic beverages, a night of dancing and entertainment by the John Clark Little Big Band, era-style dancers, pianist Tom Baust, a meet and greet  “Uncle Sam,” a tribute to Veterans and the USO, silent auctions, raffles, baskets and more! 

A portion of each ticket will be donated directly to the USO.   

A cash bar will be offering wine, beer and mixed drinks.   

You can order and pay for your tickets by credit card online at northamptonrec.com or order in person by check, cash or cc at the Northampton Township Parks & Recreation Office, 55 Township Road, Richboro.

If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation or offer a ticket to current military or help defray costs for a veteran, call 215-357-6800 ext. 256.

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Hilltop A.A. honors servicemen and women on Nov.10th

October 26, 2012 By

Come join the Hilltop A.A. in honoring our service men and women. The Hilltop A.A. will be hosting a Beer ‘n’ Beef in honor of Edward Comly, Sr. on November 10th, beginning at 8:00pm.

All proceeds from this event will be donated locally to the Delaware Valley Veterans’ Nursing Home located at 2701 Southampton Road, Philadelphia.

The cost is $25 per person and you must be over 21-years-old.

In addition to the food, drink and music, there will be a 50/50, auction of gift baskets and raffle. They will also be honoring a special service member. 

For more information, tickets or donations, contact Hilltop A.A. at 215-357-9883.

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Flag presentation at The Arbors

October 23, 2012 By
ARBORS

 

It was a gift that touched the hearts of all – a flag that flew over the US Capitol in Washington, presented with the respect of a grateful nation to service veterans and widows of service veterans in residence at The Arbors at Buck Run Assisted Living in Trevose/Feasterville.

The presentation was made by the district’s Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick on Tuesday, October 9th at 10:00am. Arbors Executive Director Victoria Fisher R.N. welcomed the Congressman and introduced seven residents who wore the uniforms of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Red Cross, and recognized over a dozen widows whose spouses had served.

The family of veteran and resident Albert Galione, formerly of Northeast Philadelphia, was so excited about the recognition that several members of his immediate and extended family joined the celebration. The Capitol flag will be formally unveiled at The Arbors at Buck Run during the residence’s official Veteran’s Day ceremonies this month.

Pictured are Army Air Force vet Albert Galione, Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick, and Navy vet James Mackin.

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6th Annual Veterans Day Parade

October 20, 2012 By

The 6th Annual Lower Makefield Veterans Parade will take place on Sun., Nov. 4th this year so that area veterans organizations can participate in other commitments on Veterans Day which is the following Sunday.  The Parade will begin at 1 pm on Sun., Nov. 4th at the intersection of Edgewood Road and Long Acre Lane.  It will feature veterans from various conflicts, the award-winning Pennsbury High School Marching Band, local dignitaries, scout troops, fire trucks, and much more.

The Veterans Square Monument Committee is planning to have the flagpole installed prior to the parade, which will be the first phase of the monument’s construction.  Veterans Square Monument has been four years in the making in terms of design, planning and fundraising.  If the flagpole can be installed without any problems, the flag will be raised and flown for the first time at the ceremony immediately following the parade!

The first flag to fly over Veterans Square Monument has a special significance and history.  It was flown over the US Capitol at the request of then Congressman Patrick Murphy on Veterans Day 2010.  The flag was given to the chair of the monument committee and was carried in the Lower Makefield Veterans Parade in 2011 by a WWII Veteran.  It was then handed back to the committee chair, presented to Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick, and presented down the line of veterans from various time periods.  From there, it was given to the VFW Post 6393 Commander to safeguard, where it has resided until it is brought to each annual parade.   Along the way, the flag has also been handed to various family members of those who gave their lives in service to our country.  Symbolically, the flag has had a nice journey on its way to be perched atop the Veterans Square Monument flag pole.

Refreshments will be available at the end of the parade at Veterans Square, and the PHS Marching band will play at the park until the parade is completed.  The public is invited to stay for the wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremony.  Any veteran is welcome to march or participate, as are area scout troops.  Please contact Becky Cecchine to participate: bcecchine@hotmail.com.  We welcome all our neighbors to attend the parade and show their support for our nation’s veterans.

We want to remind the community that any veteran who lived in Lower Makefield or Yardley Borough at any time in their lives, can have his/her name engraved on Veteran Square’s Wall of Honor at no charge.  We also invite anyone – business, family, or individual – to purchase an engraved Freedom Paver to be part of our Stepping Stone Campaign and be a permanent part of Veterans Square Monument.  Call 267-274-1195 or email info@VeteransSquare.com.

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‘Gateway to Work for Veterans’ starts Oct. 25th

October 15, 2012 By

A free, hands-on three-hour workshop for veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce meets Thursday, October 25th, from 9:00am until noon, at PRO-ACT’s Southern Bucks Recovery Community Center in the Bucks Office Center, 1286 Veterans Highway, Bristol.

The program addresses personal positioning and “elevator speeches,” writing a memorable resume, preparing for a successful interview, working a job fair and more, with special emphasis on communicating how skills learned in the military benefit civilian employers.

Pre-registration is required.

Call Jessica Schwartz at 215-345-6644, ext. 3122, or email JSchwartz@councilsepa.org.

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Salute to VFW Post 6393

August 17, 2012 By

Spring Village at Floral Vale, a secured memory care community in Yardley, is proud to be called home to 10 veterans. The community is honored to be serving their needs as they are challenged with various forms of dementia.

Spring Village is best known for its commitment to provide resident centered enrichment.

This past Veteran’s Day, the staff planned a Veteran’s Day celebration. The only thing missing was someone to play “Taps” and other patriotic songs to honor these wonderful men and women.

Spring Village reached out to Russ Davidson, VFW Commander, Post 6393 located in Lower Makefield. Their request was honored and a wonderful relationship with their veterans and the Post developed.

Since that time, the Post has graciously hosted the veteran residents at many of their social affairs providing wonderful meals and camaraderie.

The staff accompanies the residents and they share that the best part of the outing is when the Post members send them off with a grand salute.

Spring Village at Floral Vale sends a thank you to Post 6393 for celebrating moments with their residents.

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