Category Archives: News

PVRBulletin – February2015

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Happy New Year!

As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2014, we look towards the future for 2015…

In November 2014 The American Legion, Department of Florida announced the launch of their newest program, PROJECT: VetRelief.  Within just two months, word has spread throughout the Legion Family via email, mail, and word of mouth.  Many of you have viewed the new website, watched our originally produced videos, heard a presentation, participated in training, or visited with the PROJECT: VetRelief team at Fall Conference or here at Department Headquarters.  THANK YOU all for your participation and interest!

We are excited to have covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time, but there is still so much work to do in 2015 and we NEED YOUR HELP to continue getting our message out there.  Here’s how you can assist:

With your help, PROJECT: VetRelief will be able to engage more volunteers, conduct community outreach, implement new programs, and, most importantly, provide much needed emergency assistance and benefits support to more and more of our service members and their families across the state.

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PROJECT: VetRelief Recognition Program

January 1, 2015 – May 31, 2015

Posts, Squadrons, Chapters, and Units will be awarded with the Meritorious Service Award and a corresponding level of achievement medal at the 2015 Department Convention, in addition to other benefits, in recognition of your support of PROJECT: VetRelief.

GOLD LEVEL

  • $30,000 Cumulative Contribution
  • Receives Plaque & Gold Dog Tag Emblem

SILVER LEVEL

  • $20,000 Cumulative Contribution
  • Receives Plaque & Silver Dog Tag Emblem

BRONZE LEVEL

  • $10,000 Cumulative Contribution
  • Receives Plaque & Bronze Dog Tag Emblem

PARTNER LEVEL

  • $5,000 Cumulative Contribution
  • Receives Plaque & Partner Dog Tag Emblem

(Note: levels of support are cumulative based on all individual donations from your Post, Squadron, Chapter, or Unit.)

SUPPORT BENEFITS

  • Present awards during Department Convention
  • Announce your support in The PROJECT: VetRelief Bulletin
  • Publicize your support through social media
  • Acknowledge your Post, Squadron, Chapter, or Unit on our website
  • Provide recognition in the PROJECT: VetRelief Annual Report
  • Extend advance invitations to PROJECT: VetRelief events

View Additional Details

The American Legion

Welcome to the Good Fight

Thank you American Legion, Department of Florida for Fighting the Good Fight!PROJECT: VetRelief, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was launched as a program of The American Legion, Department of Florida with the expressed purpose of driving funds and services straight into the hands of Florida’s service members and their families.  To do this, The American Legion, Department of Florida committed to fund all administrative, volunteer, and advocacy efforts, allowing contributions raised by PROJECT: VetRelief to funnel directly into service provisions.

JENNIFER

Meet the Team

Jennifer CooperJennifer Cooper impacts the lives of our service members in communities throughout the state with her creativity and passion to help others. Her wide-ranging knowledge of fundraising, event management, and social media, combined with her technical and artistic skills, make her an essential part of the PROJECT: VetRelief team.

Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Graphics Technology from Purdue University and, bolstering her desire to make an impact, she joined the nonprofit industry in 2012. Jennifer’s responsibilities as Creative Services Director with PROJECT: VetRelief consists of website design and management, collateral creation, social media messaging, and event support.

Meet Other Team Members

 

Copyright © 2014 PROJECT: VetRelief, All rights reserved.
1912A Lee Road
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 295-2631

PVRBulletin – December2014

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Help Veterans in Need: This Holiday Season

Over 106,000 Veterans in our state live in poverty.

As Thanksgiving memories echo into the past, and we begin to prepare for Christmas festivities and fun, let us pause to reflect on the challenges facing those who bravely served our country and who are living right here in our communities.

  • We know that Florida is home to 1.6 million veterans
  • 6.6% of our veterans in Florida live below federal poverty levels

Help us make a difference in the lives of these 106,000 veterans in need and consider making a year-end gift to PROJECT: VetRelief.

See How PROJECT: VetRelief Changes Lives

PROJECT: VetRelief recently released two originally produced videos!  View these inspiring videos on our website or through our newly created YouTube Channel.  Here’s what you can expect…

PROJECT: VetRelief Helps – Advocacy
PROJECT: VetRelief and The American Legion, Department of Florida teamed up to help Vietnam Veteran, Stephen Holota, attain U.S. citizenship after 45 years.

Introduction to PROJECT: VetRelief
Learn more about the program and services of PROJECT: VetRelief through firsthand accounts from our staff, VetRelief Advocates, and stories from the individuals we have served.

Special thanks to Chuckman Films for your time, talent, and belief in our mission.

Sons of the American Legion Logo

Welcome to the Good Fight

Thank you Squadron 283 for joining with us to Fight the Good Fight!

PROJECT: VetRelief is proud to have the support of The Sons of the American Legion, Detachment of Florida Squadron 283.  Your generous donation of $6,000 will help engage more volunteers, conduct community outreach, and, most importantly, provide much needed emergency assistance and benefits support to more of our service men and women and their families across the state.

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Spread the Word

Are you affiliated with The American Legion, Department of Florida?  Do you want to spread the word about PROJECT: VetRelief to your friends, community, and fellow veterans?  Fill out a Marketing Material Order Formand PROJECT: VetRelief will send you business cards, post cards, and posters.  But act fast; quantities are limited!

Copyright © 2014 PROJECT: VetRelief, All rights reserved.
1912A Lee Road
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 295-2631

PVRBulletin – November2014

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PROJECT: VetRelief is Off and Running

The American Legion, Department of Florida Announces the Official Launch of PROJECT: VetRelief 

The American Legion, Department of Florida made an important announcement on November 8th at the 2014 Fall Conference – PROJECT: VetRelief is off and running!

Over the span of two very full days, the PROJECT: VetRelief team gave multiple presentations, unveiled a brand new website, released two original video productions, trained the first round of VetRelief Advocates, and distributed a substantial amount of marketing materials.

PROJECT: VetRelief strives to reach Florida’s service members and their families through Emergency Assistance, Benefits Support, and Community Engagement.  The tremendous enthusiasm demonstrated by members of The American Legion promises to move PROJECT: VetRelief one step closer to accomplishing the vision of a nation where no service member stands alone.

Golden Polo Winner

Congratulations to Eunice Butts, American Legion, Department of Florida Central Area Commander, on winning the highly coveted PROJECT: VetRelief golden polo! Eunice was randomly selected from the list of emails entered during the 2014 American Legion, Department of Florida’s Fall Conference! Thank you to everyone who participated and signed up to receive our newsletter.

Congratulations to Eunice Butts, American Legion, Department of Florida Central Area Commander, on winning the highly coveted PROJECT: VetRelief golden polo! Eunice was randomly selected from the list of emails entered during the 2014 American Legion, Department of Florida’s Fall Conference! Thank you to everyone who participated and signed up to receive our newsletter.

R.L. James, Inc. Receives the 2014 Humanitarian Award

In addition to hosting a greatly successful 1st year golf tournament, raising $17,600 for PROJECT: VetRelief, Bob and Rita James are dedicated to training and employing veterans across the state.  This clearly demonstrates a deep patriotism and passion for our country’s heroes, making R.L. James, Inc. the ideal recipient for the 2014 Humanitarian Award.

Check Out the Website

PROJECT: VetRelief has already received multiple requests for Emergency and Benefits support in addition to a few inquiries on volunteering – all through the brand new website!  It seems that we are on the right track! Visit the website to learn more about PROJECT: VetRelief.

Copyright © 2014 PROJECT: VetRelief, All rights reserved.
1912A Lee Road
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 295-2631

A Message from The American Legion, Department of Florida Commander in Support of PROJECT: VetRelief

Care of our veterans and their families has been the primary focus of The American Legion since our inception in 1919. Today, it should be no different. As Legionnaires, we need to think “outside the box” just like our forefathers did when they formed our great organization. We to need to find new and inventive ways to support and care for our brothers and sisters – this can be accomplished through PROJECT: VetRelief.

As your Department Commander, I fully support PROJECT: VetRelief, its mission, and services. Together, we can help our fellow service members as we consecrate and sanctify our comradeship through our devotion to mutual helpfulness, by uniting our existing services and expanding them with PROJECT: VetRelief.

Thank you for your support of this very important initiative!
Jay Conti

Jay Conti Sr.
American Legion, Department of Florida
Department Commander

P.S. – Look for the launch of www.ProjectVetRelief.org in early November 2014 with a full rollout to our Members at Fall Conference!

RL James, Inc. General Contractor Supports Our Veterans

Over 100 golfers gathered at Windermere Country Club on Friday, September 26th to support PROJECT: VetRelief in the Inaugural RL James Charity Golf Tournament.

RL James hosted partners, vendors, and friends to a fun filled day of golf raising $17,500 for PROJECT: VetRelief!

Philanthropy is a way of life for RL James, Inc. Their dedication to train and employ our veterans clearly demonstrates their deep patriotism and passion for our country’s heroes.

The American Legion, Department of Florida launched the PROJECT: VetRelief initiative this year as a way to provide additional relief to our service members and their families. We are proud to have found such a dedicated partner in RL James, Inc. and look forward to next year’s tournament!

For more information on PROJECT: VetRelief or to learn about employment opportunities with RL James, Inc. contact jflynn@floridalegion.org.

The American Legion, Department of Florida proudly announces the backing of PROJECT: VetRelief

PROJECT: VetRelief, formally known as PROJECT: Homefront, ensures that our service men and women have the backing necessary to live successful and thriving civilian lives. While the original ideals that guided the creation of PROJECT: Homefront remain in tact, a concerted rebranding effort has now placed a high level of attention on three specific areas of service: assisting during times of immediate need, working to secure benefits earned with service, and providing encouragement through mentorship.

Overall, it is our vision to one day live in a nation where no service member stands alone. We invite you to join us as we fight the good fight! They fought for us. We fight for them.

Look for the launch of www.ProjectVetRelief.org in early November 2014 with a full rollout to our Members at Fall Conference!