Monday, December 31, 2007

AFGHAN COMBAT SUPPLY HOSPITAL X-MAS WISH

Happy New Year! My name is Sheryl Licon and I volunteer with Soldiers Angels, I was given an assignment to see if churches would be interested in donating to help a combat hospital in Afghanistan. A family member of a supply nurse, Jennifer, in Afghanistan asked Soldiers Angels for help getting some needed supplies. The following is the letter from Jennifer detailing their needs. Would your church please help Jennifer get the supplies she requested. I get the impression that the hospital is not able to receive the necessary amount of flat sheets, thick wide white shower cutains and cotton blankets through normal channels.
Category: General

Please contact me at saalertteamsheryl@gmail.com if your church would like to send these supplies to this combat hospital in Afghanistan. Thank you so much.
Subject: AFGHAN COMBAT SUPPLY HOSPITAL X-MAS WISH

THIS IS MY SECOND COUSIN'S-ONE REMOVED, CHRISTMAS WISH. HER NAME IS
JENNIFER. SHE'S A COMBAT HOSPITAL SUPPLY NURSE STATIONED IN AFGHANISTAN.

Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 06:50:12 +0000

We have been so fortunate to have so much support back home! The hospital has been completely inundated with gifts and it's simply amazing to see how much people care-even complete strangers! However, we have a special request. There are a few needs that the hospital has and we are unable
to receive through normal military routes. If you are wanting to send something or if you know of people who are interested in helping, please pass along this list. We are in desperate need of flat sheets. They don't have to be nice or even a certain size. We need lots and lots of sheets. A typical trauma works like this:

A helicopter flies in with a patient on a litter. The patient is unloaded if it is a local or third country national, the patient is stripped and searched before entering the hospital. If it is a soldier, the patient is only searched at this time. Upon entering the hospital, the patient is rolled and all articles are removed (i.e. clothing, blankets, jackets). A sheet then needs to be placed underneath the patient. This assists in transferring the patient from bed to bed
or wherever else they need to be moved. It also helps to keep the floor a little cleaner. Then a sheet and/or blanket needs to be placed over the patient, since they are now naked, for warmth and decency.

These sheets never make it back to EMT. So, as you can see, we go through TONS of sheets. We also need cotton blankets. We have wool ones but they don't work with the CT machine. It causes scatter and the machine doesn't give a proper read. Finally, thick white and very wide shower curtains. Shower curtains separate each one of the trauma bays and they can get a little disgusting after years of use.

Unfortunately, this is something else that we can't receive through normal supply routes.

This is my plea for help. :) The sheets don't need to be high quality or pretty or anything like that. We can always cut kings down to size. Please,
even one helps. Again, I thank you all so much for all your support so far and all the thought that has been given to us. May God richly bless this holiday season and > keep you well.
Jennifer

Flat sheets-LOTS!
Cotton blankets
Thick, white, wide shower curtains

Sincerely

Sheryl Licon
Soldiers Angels Org.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Operation Christmas Stocking


The Soldier's Angels carried out a most important mission this Holiday season. Operation Christmas Stocking was a huge success. The Las Vegas Angels collected many snacks, drinks and personal hygieine items to be sent inside a christmas Stocking for over 1400 Nevada Deployed service men and women.

The angels ran donation drives outside locals Vons Stores and had help ffrom many youth organizations, schools and Churches. You know who you are .....So Thank you for your help.

The angels Stuffed the stockings at the Marine Corps League ( The Leatherneck Club) and mailed them out to the troops on December 2nd. We have had lots of great feedback from the troops who were overjoyed on christmas morning when they discovered Santa had found them even though they were deployed!

So thank you everyone for sharing the Holiday joy!

Operation DVD Bible

See And Hear God’s Word With The Bible Study Tool That Is Used By Millions

Our Servicemen and Women Will Receive One Free Bible On DVD
For Every Copy Purchased before December 31, 2007.


Fairfield, NJ – BiblesOnDVD, a division of The DVD Acquisition And Development Group, Inc has announced a new initiative to send free copies of its best-selling BiblesOnDVD to members of the U.S. armed services in cooperation with the nonprofit group Soldiers’ Angels.

The new initiative, called “Operation DVD Bible” will donate one copy of the DVD Bible to US servicemen and women for every copy purchased before the end of the year.

When you give a Bible on DVD as gift to a loved one, you will also be giving an appreciated gift to a member of our armed services.

David Goodman, president of The DVD Acquisition and Development Group, Inc., said, “DVDs are among the most requested items by our troops, and we are grateful to our publishing and retail partners for helping to make this innovative program possible. We receive many requests and orders from members of the military, and now our publishers, retailers and consumers will be joining forces to send our DVD Bibles to those who want them.”

“We are very excited about ‘Operation DVD Bible,’” said Lisa Nyberg, CFO of Soldier’s Angels. “We have the ability to package and ship the donated DVDs and we have points of contact at military installations all over the world.”

The Bible on DVD features the entire Old and New Testament with on-screen scripture synchronized with the audio narration, as well as a Holy Land Tour photo presentation.

Featuring award-winning narrators, such as Stephen Johnston, Max McLean, and Alexander Scourby whose inspired readings make the scripture come alive, The Bible On DVD is a wonderful way to read and share the Bible while also thanking those who serve our country.

Each two-DVD set features:
• Audio Narration of The complete New and Old Testament Text
• Over 70 Hours of Dolby Digital Stereo Audio on two DVDs
• Synchronized Graphics & Text showing every verse
• Accompanying inspirational music to enhance the religious ambience
• Widescreen (16:9) and Full Frame (4:3) Display
• Interactive Menus that allow direct access to any book or chapter
• Optional Playback modes including:
- Play a single Chapter
- Play a single Book
- Continuous Play of the Entire New and Old Testament
• No Region Coding
• NTSC TV Format

The Bible On DVD is available at Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon and Christian bookstores everywhere and is sold at a suggested retail price of $29.95.

Please Welcome Felicia Gaines

Please welcome Felicia Gaines to our Nevada VA team. Felicia will be joining us as the new Southern Nevada VA Community Team Leader.

Felicia is involved in many activities including working as a goodwill ambassador at the Spring Valley Hospital, here in Las Vegas once a week. She also recently participated in the 3rd Annual Santa Run which benefitted Opportunity Village while breaking the world record for the most "Santas" in one place.

Felicia has many interests including reading, music, movies and travelling and like many other ladies she loves to buy shoes!!!!!

So please put your wings together and give Felicia a warm angel welcome, we know she will be an awesome addition to the Nevada VA team.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Nevada State Veterans Museum

If you, or someone you know, loaned items that were on display in the former
Lowden Veterans Museum located at 3333 S. Cambridge St. in Las Vegas, please contact
the Nevada Office of Veterans Services (NOVS). Recognizing items displayed or stored
at the former museum may have monetary, historical, or sentimental value, it is our desire to have these items returned to the owners, or placed in the future Nevada State Veterans Museum.

Please include as much detail as possible in your correspondence, and whenever
possible include copies of photographs and/or documentation or authentication of
ownership. Thank you for your assistance. Donations to support this initiative can be
submitted through NOVS to:

Nevada Veterans Assistance League (NVAL) (TIN 20-0885008)
For benefit of the Nevada State Veterans Museum Fund
950 W. Owens, Room 111, Las Vegas, NV 89106

(702) 636-3070 • (702) 486-5268 Fax

Reno Wish List Item update

Jessica, our wonderful contact angel for the Northern Nevada VA's has let me know that the VA is requesting Stretch Bands used for excercising and rehab.

These items are inexpensive and easy to find at sports stores. If you can help with this requested item please send me an email to let me know also enclose a not in any mailed packages letting the VA know that you are part of Soldiers' Angels.

Send them direct to :

John Howard
c/o voluntary services
1000 Locust St
Reno, NV

Thank you for your help and support!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Pin Ups for Vets with Soldiers Angels

I was lucky enough to meet Gina from Pin Ups for Vets a couple of months ago at Blogworld here in Vegas. Gina is a great lady and fun to be around. She's doing awesome work with her calendars and is popular with both deployed troops as well as vets.

Here is the link to Gina's website to see photos (the one with Gina and me is on page 17, she had lots of nice stuff to say about Soldiers Angels!) There are also lots of other cool photos to browse through.

http://pinupsforvets.com/gallery/

and of course theere is also a place for you to donate a calendar for either a deployed troop or a vet, your choice!!!!

News from Gina - Pin Ups for Vets

Hello!

It's Gina Elise from www.PinUpsForVets.com

I just wanted to send out a quick e-mail to let you know about the exciting things that have been going on with the project!

First of all, a big thank you goes out to everyone who has supported this project so far. I have lots more funds to raise, but things are moving right along. Whether you have purchased a calendar for yourself, for a hospitalized Veteran, or for a deployed military, the proceeds are going to the polytrama unit at the Los Angeles VA this year!!! Please send out the website link to any friends or family who would be interested in supporting the project. I can't stress enough how much this helps me to get the word out there! www.PinUpsForVets.com

I have made some new additions to the website. If you click on "In the News",
http://pinupsforvets.com/inthenews.html
you will see an interview from my recent trip to the 2007 BlogWorldExpo in Las Vegas. I met some amazing people there---including many of the bloggers who have supported this project!!! You know who you are!!! :) I was able to sell calendars and posters at the conference as well to do some fundraising right in the Military.com booth!!! I posted pictures from this trip on the "In the Field" pages starting on page 16: http://pinupsforvets.com/gallery/

Just returned from making a visit to the VA Hospital in San Diego and spending time to give out many of YOUR donated calendars to the hospitalized vets there. I met some amazing people including a 96 year old female WWII Vet--she was in the Army Signal Corps for four years. I was visiting with another Vet who had suffered a traumatic brain injury. I was talking to him...he told me his name, birthday, branch of the military...and after I left the room, the nurses told me that this was the first time he's talked in a month !!! You can check out the shots from this trip starting on page 22 of "In The Field" link on the website.

I just had my 4th flag presented to me that was flown in Iraq in honor of the project. Also, I recently posted a virtual "Happy Holidays to the Troops" --a 15 second clip on youtube! Check it out here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4FKRRrZoOy4
I want to wish all of the calendar supporters a very Happy Holidays and a very happy, healthy, safe 2008.

As many of you know, I am planning a trip to Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval hospital, hoping to bring with me at LEAST 100 donated calendars to the Wounded Warriors there. If you could donate a calendar for this trip, I would be so appreciative.

I also added another link to the site called "HELP". Here you can see some letters from deployed military members and disabled Vets requesting calendars. You can also view some thank you letters from the hospitals I have visited: http://www.pinupsforvets.com/help.html
I would like to visit many more VA hospitals to bring your donated calendars!

Thank you again for all of your support! If you haven't already done it, please send me a picture with your calendars so I can post it on "In The Field" pages!!! I love seeing all your faces and getting to know my supporters!

Happy Holidays!
Gina Elise
www.pinupsforvets.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Making Blankets of Hope

Today, I had the honor of meeting some remarkable women. The Nevada Solitaires. This group of ladies are remarkable as many are veterans from WWII. One lady in particular told me about being stationed Germany, and another lady told a story about vacationing in London, England (my home town) and getting lost following a Black Taxi cab just after the war ended.

I wanted to take the Chance to thank each of these ladies for the wonderful stories and sharing their memories with me. i will cherish today for a long time to come. Special thanks goes to Billie Entremont for arranging today and Klara for being the impromptu leader while Billie is away.

Today after giving a talk about Soldiers Angels and just some of the SA programs, the ladies set to work on making Blankets of Hope for our injured troops in Lundstahl, Germany. We made 8 Blankets in just under 90 minutes. Thank you ladies, good work. I know the troops who receive these blankets will just love them.

Enjoy the photo's.





Welcome Jessica!

A HUGE welcome to Jessica Bezanson, who is our new Northern Nevada VA CTL (Community Team Leader) We are thrilled to have Jessica on board.

Jessica will be helping the Nevada VA team with various projects, donation drives and is looking forward to working with Veterans and their families to spread the angel love. Bur most importantly Jessica will be our liason between the VA's in the North of the state and the Nevada State Leader to make sure the VA team can help our states vetereans as much as possible.

If you need to get hold of Jessica directly for to let us know about events taking place in the VA's in Northern Nevada or you just want to say hello. She can be contacted via email at ctlnv07@gmail.com


WELCOME ABOARD JESSICA!!!!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Why we do what we do............... 19 by Waycross

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America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful programs are being held at the Clark county Ampitheater on November 10 and 11 from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. The Ampitheater is loacted at S. Grand Centeral Parkway (the pyramid shaped building, ok not the Luxor the other pyramid!)

There will food, merchandise and events such as rock climbing, music and face painitng so a fun trip for all the family.

Enterance fees are
Adults $8.00
Seniors $5.00
Children (2-12) $3.00

ALL miltary, veterans, police and firefighters are FREE!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Welcome Home Event Reno VA

VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System announces a “Welcome Home Event” aimed at OEF/OIF (Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraqi Freedom) veterans and their families. The Welcome Home is scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2007, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. and will be held in the lobby of the Reno VA Medical Center. All recently returning OEF/OIF veterans and their families are invited to attend.

The goal of this Welcome Home event is to provide information to OEF/OIF veterans about the services available at the VA Medical Center and in the community. There will be representatives on hand from the Eligibility and Enrollment Office of the Reno VAMC to assist veterans with enrollment forms.

Representatives from the Reno Vet Center, Reno VBA Regional Office, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Women Veterans Program, and various Veterans Service Organizations will also be present to provide information to veterans and light refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Reno VA's Wishlist

Hello Everyone,

Reno Has given me this wish list so if you can help them even on a couple of items it would be greatly appreciated.

Personal Hygiene Items
Shampoo
Soaps
Lotions
Razors
Combs
Brushes
Nail Brushes
Nail clippers
Emory boards etc

Beverages

Teas
Coffees
Sugar
Sugar alternatives
Creamers
Cups
Spoons

Misc. Items
Socks (all sizes)
Underwear ( all sizes)

The Nevada VA team thanks you for you support of this VA. To send items to this VA please use this address, include a note stating you are a soldiers Angel and if you could drop us an email too that would be great at vactlnv@gmail.com so that we know what has been donated to this VA facility.

The address is
Voluntary services
Reno VAMC
1000Locust St
Reno, NV 89521

Thank you.
Lou

Monday, October 1, 2007

Desperately Seeking Contact Angels

The Nevada VA Team is in need of a few dedicated angels to help out witht the Nevada VA's. A contact angel is the liason between the VA and the VA State Leader. Right now we need an angel for each one of out VA's. So if you are interested drop an email to vactlnv@gmail.com and we will get you the job description out as soon as possible. The only requiremtns for the job are :

1. You are a current Soldiers Angel.
2. You can spare a couple of hours each week to contact your designated VA and
check on their needs.
3. You Must be Consisitant, be reliable and dependable.

Other than that a happy disposition and a ready smile are are teh requirements we need. So if you're interested get in touch. We need you!

Welcome to the Nevada VA blog

Hello everyone, Thank you for stopping by.

It's with pride and a happy heart that I am unveiling the brand new Nevada VA blog. The Blog is intended for use by both Soldiers angels and the VA's in Nevada to help us both to work closer together to help our country's veterans. However everyone is welcome and you input is appreciated. So feel free to add comments and make suggestions to help make this space as useful as possible.

If you have an upcoming event or fundraiser or news please email vacltnv@gmail.com to have your event featured on the Nevada VA blog space.

With that said stay tuned over the next few days to see news on some of the projects the Nevada VA team is currently working on and see just some of the ways you can help make these projects a success.