FUND RAISING
To raise funds for the many projects we support, we work most weekends selling raffle tickets and accepting donations at locations throughout our community
Visiting Vets at Local Assisted Living Facilities
In 2023 Tom Kirby had an idea to visit our veterans in one of our local nursing homes and got approval for our chapter to buy military ball caps to pass out to the veterans. Each vet was present a hat representing their branch of service they served. It was a big success and so Tom, with other Chapter volunteers, expanded the ball cap program to including other veterans in our local nursing homes. Tom then he came up with the idea of playing Bingo at the nursing homes for the vets, many of whom have no family or have become forgotten. Our volunteers now go to a different nursing home each month to have a meet and greet, deliver hats to new veterans and play Bingo. Thanks to Tom’s idea, “No Veteran being left behind” has become a reality for our veterans in local nursing homes.
Magnolia Sr. Center
Magnolia Sr. Center
Friday Morning Breakfast
 Morning breakfast |  Morning Breakfast |
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 Morning breafast |  Christmas Bonus for our server |
 2024 Santa's Helper Steve Masak |
We get together for breakfast on Friday morning at The Station House Restaurant to share friendship. Come join us any Friday morning between 7 and 8:30 am. We always remember those that remember us and each year we present a special christmas bonus for our server. We never know what costume one of members will show up for any of our Holidays. Fun for all.
Quilt for our Members by Mary Ellen Caruso
Tony Caruso and his wife, Mary Ellen are both veterans and have on their own presented members, who have had some serious medical issues with quilts made by Mary Ellen and made at their own expense. In addition to members receiving quilts, they have also donated quilts to some of our raffles. It's there way of giving back to our veterans.
Holiday Breakfast with Spouses and Friends
Each year before Christmas we invite our spouses and other friends to attend our Friday breakfast. We also like to recognize our waitresses and we do a special collection to give them a holiday bonus.
2025 Summer Picnic
 Rick Kippmiller2Rick Kippmiller |  Blayne BerrymanBlayne Berryman |
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 Ted MarbleTed Marble |  Member of the Year Kevin CurryMember of the Year Kevin Curry |
 Chef MooseChef Moose |  Chef Moose and Larry CastleberryChef Moose and Larry Castleberry |
 Jim ColeJim Cole |  Missing Man table2Missing Man Table |
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We held an end of summer events for our members and spouses. We recognized Kevn Curry as our member of the year. We also recognized special guest who have donated gifts for our raffles. Member Morris "Moose" Lutes donated and prepared BBQ pork and chicken along with his son. The side dishes were sold to us at a deep disount and deserts were donatd by members. This will become one of our annual events.
Delivery Checks to Non-Profit Organizations that we support
Memorial Day Rememberence
 Delivery Flowers 2025 |  Tom KirbyUnfurling flag for Tom Kirby 2024 |
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 Guest speaker Tommy Clack 2025 |  Delivery Flowers 2024 |
One of our traditions is the day before the Memorial Day Memorial is to deliver flowers to the spouses of our deceased members. Also, each year at the Memorial Day Celebration we dedicate a flag to members that passed away the previous year.
4TH JULY PARADE
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For the past several years, we have had an entry in the Cumming 4th o July parade. Sherrif Ron Freeman has allowed us to borrow the counties personnel carrier and one of his deputies volunteers to drive the vehicle on his day off.
Serving with the USO
May 14 2025
USO Sep 2025
May 14 2025
Every 3 months, we volunteer to help serve with the USO to greet and meet our veterans traveling through Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta. The USO offers a spot where our veterans can take and brake and grab a hot dog and something to drink. We provide the food and drink as well as volunteering our time to support our troops.
State and Local Chapter Members of Year 2025
Steve Masak
Steve Masak was honored as the 2025 State Member of the Year for his tireless effort fund raising for our Chapter.
Kevin Curry
Kevin Curry was honored by members at the 2025 Summer Picknik as the 2025 Member of the Year. Kevin is repsonsible for keeping our financial in order a full time job without pay.
Visit to Currahee Military Museum
Trip to Toccoa
In the fall, our chapter makes a trip to the Currahee Military Museum. Member Rodney Moore seved as our special host. Lots of history as this was main training camp for Army Paratroopers during WW2.
Treating local Nursing Home Vets to Breakfast or Lunch with our Membership
In addition to visiting veterans at local nursing home, we’ve expanded our connection with nursing home veterans and will on occasion arrange to have them meet us a local restaurant for breakfast or lunch.
Donation made to Currahee Military Museum
 Presentation made by Gary Goyette, Ed Shoemaker, Carl Reiber, Larry Castleberry, Jack Lynn and Marty Farrell |  The miniture wall was copy 1 of 1000 made donated to us by vendor named Becky from the Lakewood 400 Antique Mall |
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During one of our fund raisers at Lakewood 400 Antique Market, one of the vendors donated to us a miniature statue of the Vietnam Wall. It was the first statue of 149 statues produced. We felt the appropriate location for the statute was to donated to the Currahee Military Museum in Toccoa, Georgia, where it is now on display.
2025 National VVA Convention
Our 2025 National VVA Convention was held Aug 5-9 in New Orleans.
Our Chapter was represented by Kevin Curry (Treasury) Ed Shoemaker (President) Steve Massey (Fund Raising) and Joe Donner (1st VP).