Calendar Winners for July 2010
 

Togus VA Wish List-July 2010

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS:

1.     Drivers for Volunteer Transportation Network (Belfast, Bucksport, Rockland, Brunswick)

2.     Mealtime companions for long term care patients (any lunch and dinner during the week)

3.     73 Patriot Place and Dialysis - 1-on-1 visitation/reading and talking with patient

4.     Parking Lot Shuttle driver

5.     Information Desk

6.     Escort Volunteers

7.     Out-to-Lunch Buddy (serves as escort, waiter, busboy, etc. - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm)

8.     Primary Care Customer Service Assistant

ONGOING PROGRAM SUPPORT:

1.     Calling cards (60 minutes or more per card)

2.     Coffee funds (provides coffee in waiting areas/wards/clinics)

3.     Afghans (for a twin bed) or Baby afghans to fit crib (Women's Clinic Expectant Mothers)

4.     Comfort Items, i.e., shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, disposable razors etc. (No alcohol based products)

5.     Diabetic snacks funds

6.     Newspaper funds (provides newspapers in waiting areas/wards/clinics)

7.     General Patient Comfort Fund including Memorial Donations

8.     Adapted Sports Equipment/Outings - Recreation Therapy

9.     National Rehabilitation Events (Golden Age Games, Winter Sports, Wheelchair Games, and Creative Arts )

SPECIAL REQUESTS/PROJECTS:

1.     Unit 4 South activity sponsorship (approx $50 pizza party, $25 ice cream social)

2.     Organizations to sponsor entertainment on 73 Patriot Place

3.     Parking Lot Shuttle Vehicle Project

4.     Electric Razors

5.     Sponsorship of 72/73 Resident/family/staff BBQ's 7/20 (73), 9/2 (72) = $250 ea

6.     Community Based Mental Health Activities (Sponsorship of bowling, pool and other various activities)

7.     DVD Player for showing movies on closed circuit TV ($100)

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NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME!  Books; Used Stamps; any clothing that is stained or torn;Jigsaw Puzzles; Playing Cards; Magazines over three months old; Dental Floss; After-Shave; Hand Lotion; Writing Tablets; Pens; and Envelopes.  Due to Infection Control policies we are unable to take used walkers, canes, or crutches at this time.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that under the Tax Code, donations to the Department of Veterans Affairs' General Post Fund for exclusively public purposes are deductible from federal income taxes in the manner and to the extent allowable.  The announcement reflects the tax law provision, which makes those donations deductible as "donations to the United States".  Donations to support any of the Department's programs are deductible, whether the donor directs that the donated funds be used for a specific purpose or allows the Department to decide how the donated funds will be used.  Donated funds made by check should be made out to "VAVS" and sent to the address above.

New Togus VA Homeless Veteran "Housewarming Basket" Program

A new program has been established through the Voluntary Services office at Togus VA. The program provides a veteran who comes off of homeless status, and enters a home, with a basket of items to help them get started.

¨  Broom/Dustpan                                                       

¨  Bucket                                                                    

¨  Shower curtain                                                        

¨  Dishpan                                                                  

¨  Dish Cloth/Towel                                                     

¨  Flashlight/batteries                                                  

¨  Dish soap                                                               

¨  Bar soap                                                                 

¨  Toilet paper                                                             

¨  Trash container/bags                                                           

¨  Bath towel/wash cloths (2 to start)

¨  Mop

¨  Toilet brush

¨  Shower rings

¨  Dish rack

¨  Cleaning sponge

¨  All purpose cleaner

¨  Toothpaste

¨  Liquid hand soap

¨  Paper towels

It is requested that the entire list be gathered and donated as one complete set so that we do not have many of one item and nothing of another.

Willie & Cheryl Deschaies Update

Past District Deputy Willie Deschaies would like to thank everyone who called and signed the card at the Grand Lodge Convention. He said that he was doing a bit better, but still has a long way to go.

He also would like to pass on that his wife Cheryl is now in the Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington with some leg problems. She is expected to be there for a few days. She is currently staying in room 3025 if you would like to stop by and say hello or send her some well wishes.

If you have news or information of interest to the members of the Maine Elks Association, please send your articles to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net for inclusion in the MEA Calendar, the MEA Website, or future issues of this newsletter.

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