The VFW National Home for Children—90 years and going strong

It has been a wonderful year for the VFW National Home for Children! Our families are rebuilding their lives, the children are learning and growing, and everyone is taking part in the fun and educational activities offered here.

The National Home will celebrate its 90th Anniversary of taking care of our nation’s veteran and military families in 2015. It is a very exciting time! You can expect to learn more about the National Home’s history through articles and historical pictures posted here throughout the year, and there is much more planned for the 90th Anniversary.

For now, let’s take a look back at 2014…

The National Home children and their friends got the chance to play and bounce and have fun at the UAW Carnival in February.

United Auto Workers Region 1-D Veterans Committee provides the annual event, and many members come to the National Home on carnival day to help out with the games and inflatable play places.

This year, Region 1-D was joined by Dream Girls USA members from Michigan. Dream Girls USA is a national organization that emphasizes natural beauty and community service for girls and women.

The young people also took part in a Science Fair. They were able to use the microscopes and telescopes, and Education Specialist Dave Westjohn taught them about crystals and microscopic creatures and more. Other fun and educational activities for the adults and children that took place in 2014 included playing tennis, learning about Internet safety, and several different  DIY workshops, such as stress relief and cooking.

On a beautiful sunny day in March—after a very long winter of frigid temperatures—the children from the National Home’s preschool and child care center were able to get out and play! Their joy shines in the pictures taken by one of the preschool’s staff.

Bikers for Books spoke to a large gathering of children and staff at the VFW National Home for Children for March Reading Month. Bikers for Books started with a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who found themselves talking about literature. Their enthusiasm and love  of the written word inspired our young people, and it was a wonderful evening for all.

The Ohio Military Order of the Cootie arrived – along with the Easter Bunny – to the National Home in April, bringing Easter fun to kids and adults alike. The day included playing on the Bounce House, the traditional Easter egg hunt, baskets filled with candy for the children, and ice cream sundaes in the Café.

Spring arrived and that meant the start of 4-H duties. Several National Home children and teens showed rabbits and pigs at the 2014 Eaton County Fair. Nancy Bowers is the National Home staff person who works with the young people, teaching them how to take care of the animals and how to show them during the fair each year.

The National Home residents, staff, and guests honored the men and women who lost their lives serving their country in a solemn Memorial Day observance at the end of May. Joining us were veterans from VFW Post 7309 of Mason, Michigan.

The National Home celebrated the accomplishments of its children, young people, and parents in a ceremony filled with laughter, remembrances, and some tears in June. The preschoolers were wished well as they planned to move onto kindergarten, the young people were recognized for various achievements in grades, exams, and for graduating, and three moms were honored for their achievements in college and work.

After months of hard work and preparation, the young people had the opportunity to show what they are made of at the Eaton County Fair in July. The VFW Dynamos received a number of high awards, including one young lady taking first place and Reserve Champion Gilt for her pig. Reserve Champion Gilt means it is the second place pig of all the female pigs there.

The newest Buddy Poppy Child was chosen in July. For Grant, being the 2014-2015 Buddy Poppy Child means one thing.

“I’m happy to be the Buddy Poppy so I can thank all of the veterans and their families for the sacrifices they made for our country and our freedom,” Grant said at this year’s VFW annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri.

With August, came State Days and some special visitors—Mary Ann Pollett, Susan Schummer-Pollett, and Kathryn Schummer. These ladies are descendants of the original Pollett family, the first family to live at the National Home in 1925.  They were able to tour the campus and see some of the places that their family members saw in their lifetime. All three ladies plan to visit us again soon!

The National Home was filled with all sorts of fantastical creatures one Saturday in October. There were princesses and a witch dressed in black and purple and Little Red Riding Hood, complete with a tiny red hood.

It was the annual Fall Festival – this year hosted by the VFW Department of Wisconsin. It was a fun time for all, children and adults!

The VFW National Home for Children installed new officers and members to its Board of Trustees during its Annual Meeting of Life Members on October 25.

Jim Mueller of Missouri was named President and Virginia Carman of Washington is Vice President. Darlene Mays-Tittman of Virginia and Michael McGrath of Illinois were installed as Trustees.

In November, residents and staff observed Veterans Day 2014 with fellowship, song, and remembering the veterans in their lives.

The evening opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. After dinner, one young lady read from her paper, “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.” The paper has won the VFW Patriot’s Pen contest at the local post level.

She spoke about how veterans are brave and kind, and devoted to protecting our country.

“Veterans have risked their lives to save our country,” she said. “As patriots, they are courageous and brave.”

Education Specialist and veteran Dave Westjohn was one of several veterans and family members to speak.

The giving spirit of Christmas filled the VFW National Home for Children community during the month of December. The next year promises to be an exciting and wonderful time for our families, staff, and supporters. Here’s to the next 90 years!

Congratulations 2012 high school graduates!

   

The VFW National Home for Children congratulates Class of 2012 members Whitney, Allison and Carolyn on their upcoming high school graduation!

Whitney is graduating from Eaton Rapids High School, where she has been active in two choirs and is completing an Advanced Placement English class. She has also been a member of the Patriot’s Chorus at the National Home and participated in her church choir. Whitney also writes and performs her own music. She plans to attend college and earn a degree in music.

Allison is also graduating from Eaton Rapids High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and maintains a second-in-her-class 4.2 GPA. She also enjoys figure skating. Allison will attend Michigan State University’s Honors College in the fall, where she plans to pursue a degree in psychology.

Carolyn is graduating from Leslie High School, where she is a National Honor Society member and is active in cheerleading. She has received honors in both government and speech. Carolyn has also been active on the National Home campus during her nearly ten years here, participating in the Patriot’s Chorus and the summer work crew among other activities.

The National Home community will celebrate residents’ educational accomplishments at its annual Community Celebration on June 7. In addition to the graduates, the celebration will recognize scholastic improvements, honor roll achievements and Single Parent Family Program successes.

We at the VFW National Home for Children are proud of our graduates for all that they have accomplished during their time here. Congratulations Whitney, Allison and Carolyn!

Successes recognized at Community Celebration

Every summer here at the National Home, we take the time to honor and celebrate each important milestone and success achieved by the students in our care, children and parents alike. And thanks to the hard work of our students, along with the strong support of our donors, staff and volunteers, we had a lot to celebrate this year.

Click for more pictures.

More than 25 individuals were honored at the Community Celebration held on June 9th. They include our adorable preschool graduates, who have grown developmentally by leaps and bounds during their participation in the excellent pre-school education and daycare program.

We celebrated the high school graduation of Shena and Andrew, while three parents attained educational degrees or certificates that will make major differences in their families’ futures. In addition, over 20 students from kindergarten through high school were rewarded for maintaining grade point averages of 3.0 or better, or for other significant improvements in their grades and skills.

These students have benefited from the tutoring program, computer labs and all the educationally enriching activities at the National Home that are funded by our supporters.

On behalf of all the honorees, thank you for supporting the National Home and our educational programs!