Events

LVMAC Tidbit — Hammer Training to Support Lehigh Valley Veterans

Hammer Training & Fitness Fundraiser Flyer 22March2014

Hammer Training and Fitness at 420 Allentown Drive, Allentown, PA 18109 is doing a good thing on March 22 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.  It is conducting a fundraiser for veterans (using LVMAC as the recipient to ensure the money raised is locally used) while also providing an entertaining event where veterans and others can gather at ease and mingle. The event consists of a seminar, a social, and exhibition bouts.  The latter two events are free, but donations are encouraged.  The social begins at 5 p.m. followed by the sparring matches starting at 7 p.m. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Oh Where, Oh Where Can Northampton County’s Director of Veterans Affairs Be?

Northampton County LogoWhile Lehigh County seeks a new County Director of Veterans Affairs, Northampton County is moving its as part of an effort to consolidate and centralize Department of Human Services operations within the county.  Effective March 10 you will find the Office of Veterans Affairs in the brand new Human Services Building at  2801 Emrick Blvd, Bethlehem (Bethlehem Township).  An anticipated result will be convenient, one-stop shopping for human services, of which veterans affairs is meant to be a part. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Their American Dream is Homelessness?

One Way You Can Help Your Homeless Veterans Locally – Find Them, Gather Them

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Not all who are homeless deserve their circumstance. Good families are affected nowadays. We of the Lehigh Valley are a hardy people, but living on the streets or in pioneer camps should not be our final option. It is an unfortunate reality nonetheless.

Pioneer Camp (courtesy of Clinic Valor Foundation)It seems doubly a shame for our community when one who has honorably served and actually fought for his or her country is found in such a condition. Whether it is this veteran’s pride or behavior, or a combination of both, that has led to the situation should not matter to us – we can always find a plausible excuse for inaction.

As the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) activates its new Lehigh Valley Homeless Veterans Action Committee to attack veteran’s homelessness as a regional problem, one of its participants is already trying to get those in the most extreme of circumstances in from the “cold.”  VALOR Clinic Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit now working its way down from the Bangor area into the wider Lehigh Valley, has taken up the mission of establishing routine stand downs in the Lehigh Valley. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Mini-Stand Down … Learning From Others

LVMAC Poster Art 2005They say you can always learn from others.  While it is a bit out of our area of operations, we think the 16 November Mini Stand Down in the Reading area is something about to which to take note.  (Rumor has it there will be one at the Allentown VA Outpatient Clinic in the near future by another organization.  Nothing official has come from the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center network to us.)   As the cold weather approaches, such events for veterans who are homeless and perhaps living on the streets take on added significance.  Kudos to Chapter G, 2nd Brigade Motorcycle Club for taking on this duty … and not just for the first time.  See the flyer attached. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — A Special Veterans Forum, Locally Grown, With a Point

Lehigh County Mentorship Program Veterans Forum Flyer 7Nov2013The Lehigh County Veterans’ Mentorship Program, a beneficial county effort which plays shortstop to a full Veterans’ Treatment Court as practiced in other states and a few counties of this Commonwealth, is holding a special Veterans Forum partially as a result of recent veterans’ suicides in the area.  It is entitled, “Hope, Healing and Returning Home.” Its purpose is to provide information regarding: suicide prevention, the Veterans’ Mentorship Program itself, and other support services. It will be held on 7 November, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the former Veterans Sanctuary site at 24 S. Fifth St., Allentown. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — PS to You, Lehigh Valley Veterans Wanted for Focus

PA Veterans Needs Assessment FG Flyer NCC 7Nov2013LVMAC Poster Art 2005The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, using Penn State University (PSU) – Harrisburg as its contractor,  is conducting an unusual survey to assess the real needs of veterans and their families.

There are significant concerns with the current system which need addressing at state and federal levels or, in our estimation, this study would not not be conducted.  If properly done,  LVMAC sees the study as a tool towards achieving future system changes for the benefit of our local military veterans and their families. In addition to literature searches, comparisons with other states, random surveys and interviews of selected organizations to help assess the situation,  focus group meetings are being conducted at six sites throughout the state.  The Lehigh Valley has been selected for one of these sites – usually we are overlooked. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Purdue Us! Want to See a Penn State Game?

PSU Military Appreciation Game Flyer 16Nov2013Hurry if you want to see a Penn State football game on 16 November for free.  They’re playing Purdue University.  The school is offering 5,000 tickets to servicemembers (reserve and active), wounded warriors, Gold Star mothers and NOW veterans of any era, to include their family members, and we hear if you register now, you are virtually assured seating.  Yes, you must register — the extended deadline is now 25 October. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago