The Liberty Kids, 11 National Home residents who traveled to New York City last fall to help celebrate the Statue of Liberty’ 125^th birthday with the Ladies Auxiliary, have helped make Liberty and Ellis islands safer places, thanks to the money they raised to present as a birthday gift to the statue.

David Luchsinger, Statue of Liberty National Monument Superintendent, thanked the young donors in a letter stating, “On behalf of the National Park Service, I was proud – and, quite frankly overwhelmed – to accept the recent donation of $1660.72 from the children at the VFW National Home for Children at the annual Lady Liberty birthday celebration.”

He went on to say the young people’s donation would be combined with the Ladies Auxiliary donation to purchase fire helmets for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island’s newly formed Fire Brigade, helping the brigade be better prepared to protect the structures on both Liberty and Ellis islands in the event of a fire.

Now that school is out and Christmas is just a few days away, we’re all making last-minute holiday preparations and reflecting on what a busy December we’ve had at the National Home. It’s been a December to remember for residents young and old. We even had snow… for a couple days.

Several Jr. Girls from the National Home helped the Charlotte VFW Post 2406 with their annual Christmas party for military families December 3. The girls helped with the children’s activities, including a cupcake walk, choosing and wrapping presents for parents, making cards and decorating cookies. There was a turkey dinner for all, and Santa visited too.

Then, it was a weekend of holiday fun at the National Home when members of the VFW’s Military Order of the Cootie (MOC) and Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary (MOCA) came to town to spread Christmas cheer December 9 and 10.

On Friday evening, the National Home’s fire trucks transported Santa, Mrs. Claus and his helpers from VFW District 8 of Michigan throughout the campus to deliver gifts and warm holiday wishes to our residents.  This year, Santa had some special helpers, as Dept. of New York Commander Harold Leavor and Auxiliary President Jane Reape were on hand to celebrate the expansion of the New York 2 House.

The fun continued Saturday as National Home residents and guests flocked to the Community Center for the 83^rd annual Cootie Christmas celebration, followed by the Florida Cooties’ “Picnic in the Snow”. The program featured musical performances by National Home residents, a craft sale and the much-anticipated arrival of Santa himself.

Last week, the National Home’s Santa’s Shop opened, as it does each December, and the Community Center auditorium was alive with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping.

Santa’s Shop is a special store where children living at the National Home can purchase gifts for friends and family members using community service hours they earn during the year. Donations are collected throughout the year, and each item is priced in community service hour increments needed to “buy” the item. The most popular items are often gifts children can give to a parent, grandparent or other special adult in their lives, like tools, stationery, crafting supplies, bath items, hats and gloves or photo frames.

So while we’re likely to be only dreaming of a white Christmas this year, our days have certainly been merry and bright this season. Here’s hoping yours are as well!

Unpacking Christmas cheer - 24 live Christmas trees for National Home residents

Dennis Ziesman arrived with the trees Friday evening, where he was met by a hardy crew of staff members and residents eager to be part of the delivery.

Dennis Ziesman of VFW Post #6754 (third from right) and volunteers from the National Home prepare to deliver the trees.

It is impressive enough to note that this is the 64^th year “The Spruce Post” has supplied National Home families with trees. Even more impressive is the fact that one man, Bill Aulstrom, has helped with this effort every year since it started, in 1948.

“In years past, there were no tree farms,” said Alstrom. “We would just go to swamps and cut trees down.”

Volunteers deliver trees to homes on the National Home campus.

Post Commander Mike Liske, Post Quartermaster Chuck Gauthier and member Rick Wallen also helped with this year’s tree delivery. The trees were from Schultz Tree Farm.

Families living at the National Home can request a live tree from “The Spruce Post” each December.

We had our first significant snow at the National Home this week — enough to earn the kids a snow day!

And they made the most of it, hitting the sledding hill, building snowmen and snow forts and maybe even throwing a few snowballs around…

You can see more photos on our Flickr page.

Getting ready for the Veterans Day Parade in Mason.

Residents of the VFW National Home for Children probably know better than most the significance of Veterans Day and how important it is that we recognize the sacrifices our veterans and active-duty military personnel have made for our nation. Honoring veterans and those currently serving plays such a big role in what we do year-round, and Veterans Day is no exception.

Jr. Girls at the Charlotte Post to assemble care packages for our troops.

The National Home held its annual Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 10. Residents and staff enjoyed a delicious home-cooked dinner prepared by house-parent Cammie O’Dell. Guest speaker Michael Lonsbery did a great job presenting about his job in the military and how technology plays an important role in modern day warfare. After the event, Michael talked with attendees one-on-one, answering questions about his service. The audience also enjoyed a piano rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner and a performance by the National Home Chorus.

They packed nearly 200 care packages in an hour and a half!

On Veterans Day, several residents and staff members braved the cold to participate in the Mason Veterans Day Parade. The parade enjoys strong participation from throughout the area, and it was a great opportunity for our residents to see so many community members showing their support of our veterans.

Former and current Buddy Poppy girls Taylor and Kristina helping fill care packages.

Then, the following weekend, several girls from the National Home, members of the Jr. Girls Unit 2406 of Charlotte, helped pack 200 boxes to be sent to troops in Afghanistan with cookies, candy, socks and personal hygiene items as part of a Support the Troops activity. They also made Christmas and Thank You cards to include in the boxes.

“I am so lucky to be able to see this as a 10-year-old kid,” exclaimed one participant. “Most people will never get to see this in their lifetime!”

The main event for the group was the opportunity to participate in the Ladies Auxiliary’s annual presentation of its donation to the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The “Liberty Kids” worked hard throughout the year on several fun

draising projects so they could present their own gift to the Statue. They were warmly received by the audience when they presented their check for nearly $1,700 for the Statue’s upkeep.

The boat ride over was the kids’ first chance for a real-life look at the Statue. On the way, the group made a special connection with some of their fellow passengers. In the words of Misty Botke, a National Home staff member and trip chaperone:

“While on the boat waiting to leave Ellis Island, we finally coaxed everyone to come out on the deck because of the sun finally was warming things up, and a woman asked who the group of kids were.  When she heard who we were she started crying. Sadly she said she was ashamed she hadn’t visited the National Home in many years.  It was so sweet how the girls in our group immediately took to her and comforted her and spent time talking with her. As the girls were talking with this lady, I looked over at her husband and saw he was crying too.  That really shows just who much the National Home means to people.”

The group was also able to do some sightseeing while they were in New York. Highlights included a matinee performance of The Lion King on Broadway, the Empire State Building, the Toys R Us flagship store, complete with life-size Candyland game and outrageous Lego sculptures, and a visit to Carlo’s Bakery, home of the Cake Boss. They also enjoyed the chance to walk around and just experience the hustle and bustle of the city.

View more photos of the “Liberty Kids” in New York.

Buddy Poppy Child Kristina Marier at the 2011 VFW Convention

“My great-grandfather was a Navy veteran who served in World War II. My great-uncle was an Army veteran who served in Vietnam. My uncle is an Air Force veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm. And my dad is a Marine and Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and continues to serve today,” proudly proclaimed 2011 Buddy Poppy Child Kristina Marier to the crowd assembled at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention. And the crowd shared her enthusiasm, reacting with applause and cheers as “their” branches of service were named.

Kristina, who is 10, lives at the National Home with her parents and two younger brothers.

“I love living at the National Home because of what it has done for our family,” Kristina says. “We have lots of friends, places to play, and we are happy again.”

Some of Kristina’s favorite experiences at the National Home so far include participating in 4-H and raising her pig, Hammy, to show at the fair (they placed 3^rd), taking piano lessons and being active in the Jr. Girls.

Watch Kristina address crowd at the 2011 VFW National Convention in San Antonio.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars has held its annual poppy drive since 1922 to raise money for needy and disabled veterans and their families. A portion of the proceeds benefits the privately-funded VFW National Home for Children. Each year since 1930, children from the National Home have been chosen as Buddy Poppy Children to represent the National Home in the VFW community.

Ghosts and ghouls, super heroes and fairy godmothers… Wait! Was that Hannah Montana who just walked by?

You never know who you’re going to meet during the Missouri-Wisconsin Fall Festival at the VFW National Home for Children.

With prizes for the top costumes in each age bracket, from preschool to adults, everyone comes looking their best. The competition is fierce, and the judges must decide their favorites under immense pressure. As you can see, it’s no easy task!

Win or lose, everyone has a great time at this annual event, which also includes a lunch of bratwursts and pizza, face painting, carnival games and, of course, candy.

View more photos from the Missouri-Wisconsin Fall Festival.