How veterans keep giving back and invite you to join them in their yearly fundraisers

What do you think when you see someone wearing a veteran's cap or jacket? As members of the Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), we really do not know what you think. However, for those of you who, when you encounter us, say, " Thanks for your service",  “we appreciate your effort or the words such as, "Welcome Home" said to our Vietnam Veterans, often  instill in us a sense of  pride and an emotional response which we often conceal.

These important words of gratitude, along with your financial support enable us to help all veterans

and their families right here in the Windham area. Accordingly, we want you to know how we make money and something about our programs.

Basically, we only raise money three times a year. The exception is when one of you contacts us with a donation we did not expect, but very much appreciate. 

The three fundraisers are as follows:

First, in winter we offer our Chili Cook Off/Silent Auction. This year, we are taking advantage of leap year with our Sixth Annual Cook Off on Saturday, February 29th.

Second is our more recognizable fundraiser known as the Buddy Poppy event held on Memorial Weekend at locations generously provided by Wal Mart, Tractor Supply, and Shaw's.

The third, and maybe most difficult, is our Labor Day/End of Summer raffle. Normally, we offer the winners sizable gift cards to local businesses, which drastically reduces our profit. And, that is it.

These fundraisers provide most of our funding as very little money comes from dues or our meetings. Below is where a substantial amount of your donations goes. Some of your money goes toward housekeeping of our Veterans Center and our community programs. The following are examples of our programs: 

Veterans and their family support is paramount; with hospital visits, food donations, fuel purchases, temporary lodging, support of doctor appointments, home visits, just talking and listening , building ramps and safety modifications, shopping, funeral support, flags and wreaths at grave sites, donation of needed items, our annual Veterans Day Program.

Community/educational programs include: classroom visits, school lectures, Patriotism Programs such as Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen our Teacher of the Year (State winners), sponsorship and donation of blood to the Red Cross.

We may not always know what you think. We know how we think, "to keep giving back until Taps is played."

Submitted by Post 10643 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars