HVAF Volunteer Recognition Event took place on April 18, 2007. The event recognized the efforts of our highly valued volunteers who always hold HVAF and our veterans close in heart and mind. No matter how hard we try, we could never say thank you enough to tell you what your support means to HVAF. Thank you for all you have done, are doing and continue to do!
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Warehouse Clean-Up Project took place on April 17, 2007. The volunteer students from 21st Century Charter School (Fountain Square) did a great job helping to organize and clean up part of the warehouse. Thanks go out to these motivated students and Neal Gore of Help Indy Online, who helped organize the event.
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United Way Youth Day of Caring took place on April 20, 2007. Loren Schmierer, owner of Stonycreek Farm, Nursery and Landscaping, drew up a landscaping plan for the Lyter house and voluntarily provided the flowers, shrubs and trees used for the project. A group of students from Craig Middle School came out to lend a hand with landscaping, planting and yard clean-up. A sincere thank you to Loren, Stonycreek Farm and the hardworking students of Craig Middle School.
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Warman Properties Volunteer Project took place on April 21, 2007. Twenty-five employees from Enterprise Rent-a-Car came out to volunteer for the project. They worked at six of our properties, collected limbs for mulching, picked up debris and did trimming. Yet another thank you goes out to thank Enterprise and their outstanding employees for the support, and hard work, provided to make this project a success.
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Operation Hire a Hoosier Vet (Job Fair) took place on April 25, 2007 at AMVETS Post 99. This event consisted of numerous organizations serving Indiana veterans and who joined together to increase awareness of the value of hiring veterans. The guest speakers for this event included: Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, Susan Bowers (Medical Center Director, Roudebuch VA Medical Center), Dennis Kuewa (Director of VA Regional Office, Indianapolis), Tom Applegate (Director of Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs), Charles Haenlein (CEO for HVAF of Indiana, Inc.), S. Sargent Visher (Principal Advisor and Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Julia Carson) and Andrew Penca (Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development).
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1st Annual HVAF Walk/Jog-a-Thon to Benefit Homeless Veterans and Families (Sponsored by Southeastern Church of Christ) took place on Saturday, April 28, 2007. The event had 40 participants, from the young to the young at heart. Our silent auction did very well. The weather was great (except for a few small puddles...that's Indiana for you), and the company even better. Next year we would like expand the event to generate more interest from people preparing to run or walk in the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon.
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The 1st Bikers vs. Suits Cook-Off to Benefit Homeless Veterans took place on April 30, 2007. We had some great guest grillers on board for this event and they had a lot of fun cooking at the grill and supporting our organization by helping raise tips and donations. Even though it was a little toasty cooking at the grill, they all throughly enjoyed themselves and even asked when the next event would be! Guess that grill wasn't quite hot enough! Very special thanks go out to our Guest Grillers including: Jude Redfield (Channel 13 Meteorologist), Doug Strott (Sky Wealth Management), Michael Henn (Pacers Sports and Entertainment), Bob Schnell (American Legion Post 500/American Legion Riders), Rick Schwartz (Eli Lilly and Co.), Dan Meece (Chrysalis Consulting) and Veronica Shelley (freshman college student at Crossroads Bible College).
Hendricks County American Legion Blue Star Salute took place on May 19, 2007. Five Hendricks County American Legion Posts joined together to host this years Blue Star Salute for Armed Forces Day in Danville, Indiana. They had a motorcycle parade, skydivers, music, vendors, the Colts cheerleaders and mascot and even the Vince Lombardi trophy on display. Motorcycle groups in attendance for the Ride for the Salute included: The American Legion Riders, Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard Riders and the U.S. Military Vets MC. There was also Civil War Honor Guard, Indiana National Guard, Hendricks County Color Guard, Blackhawk Helicopters, Vietnam Huey, Military Equipment displays, American Red Cross, Indiana Bloodmobile, musical entertainment, a climbing wall, children's games, vendors and much more too numerous to count. The main event for the Blue Star Salute was to honor military veterans and their families, those who served, those who are still serving, and those who paid the ultimate price for their dedicated service. Every family was recognized with a certificate and Blue Star Banner.
Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition (IAIC) Using Your Voice: Advocacy for Recovery Statewide Annual Training Conference took place on May 19, 2007 at Primo South. This conference was supported by the following sponsors: Governors Council for People with Disabilities, Alkermes Inc., Beacon House, Cephalon, Fairbanks, Gallahue Mental Health Center, HVAF of Indiana Inc., Indiana Division of Mentral Health and Addiction, Indiana Prevention Resource Center, Mental Health America of Indiana and Volunteers of America of Indiana. After opening remarks by Stan DeKemper (IAIC Vice-Chair) and Jill Matheny (IAIC Director), Rachel Friend-Bradley, Attorney-at-Law, hosted training on Knowing Your Rights: Overview of Federal Law and Overview of Indiana Law. After lunch Advocacy: Make It Personal was conducted by Stan DeKemper and Craig Andler and discussed What You Need to Know and How to Do It.
HVAF of Indiana, Inc. Annual Meeting took place on June 14, 2007 and was catered by Second Helping's. This was a great event that allowed our supporters, employees, volunteers and clients to meet and discuss issues our veterans face, now and in the future. Award plaques were presented to Louise Loyd, Bill Moreau and Russell Cox in recognition for their contributions and efforts on behalf of HVAF. We are focusing on being able to provide each veteran and their families with a 'Home of Their Own'. Sometimes not having a home of their own is the reason that a lot of our nation's veterans end up on the streets. Congratulations go out to Mark Nicholson for becoming the newest member of our Board of Directors. Special thanks go out to Indiana Veteran Service Organization representatives who attended the meeting.
Rolling Thunder Chapter 6 Freedom Center Event took place on June 10, 2007. Rolling Thunder brought lunch for the guys and gave out hygiene kits, additional hygiene items and food (for our warehouse), hats, blankets and more. Special thanks go out to Rolling Thunder and Karen Anderson, who coordinated the event!
