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Home FrontTHEHome FrontVFW National Home for Children • 3573 South Waverly Rd. • Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 • Phone: 866 483-9642 • www.vfwnationalhome.orgA Special Report for Friends of the VFW National Home for Children • Summer 2016In this Issue:• A Word from ourExecutive Directorpage 2• Donor Spotlight: Sandy Germanypage 3• This Year's EducationalAchievementspage 4Did you know...Domestic violence is theleading cause of injury towomen between the agesof 15 and 44 in the UnitedStates, more than caraccidents, muggings, andrapes combined.Ten years of her husband’s abuse was more than enough for Stacy, whose namehas been changed to protect her privacyand safety.She left, with no idea how she and her sixchildren would survive, but with acertainty that anything would be betterthan the brutality and fear of theirprevious life. Still, it was a struggle. Stacyspent three years trying to raise her kidson her own, while also learning to beemotionally and financially independentagain—the proud daughter of a KoreanWar veteran.“When I heard about the NationalHome, it sounded too good to be true.But after doing some research, I knewthat this was my next step.” At the Home, she found the emotional andfinancial support she needed. Just asimportant: she found a safe haven forherself and her children.With the help of her caring andprofessional case manager, Stacy began putting her dreams into action. Whileliving at the Home, she was able to go tocollege full-time and earned an Associate’sdegree in General Studies and a Bachelor’sin Management and OrganizationalDevelopment from a local college. Shelearned how to manage her money andsave for the future and when she left, shewas able to move her children into a homethat she had bought and was able tocontinue her education, earning herMaster’s degree in Family Studies. It’s been six years since Stacy left ourcampus, but the long lasting impact on herlife and the lives of her children isapparent. Two of the children havegraduated high school and are attendingcollege while working full-time. Next year,three of the kids will be in high schooland one in middle school. Stacy is gratefulfor their strength, and for all theopportunities to grow and thrive that lifeat the National Home offered them. Aftertheir very rough beginning, she says now,“The National Home gave my kids thechance to be kids and allowed me to givethem a normal upbringing.”Facing the Future Without FearYOUMake It Happen

THE HOME FRONTA publication of:VFW National Home for Children3573 South Waverly RoadEaton Rapids, MI 48827Phone: 866 483-9642www.vfwnationalhome.orgStaff:Patrice Green, Executive DirectorMolly Studinger, Program DirectorTim Smith,Operations DirectorSue Alverson, Development DirectorTodd Marriott, Facilities DirectorA Word from...Patrice Green, Executive DirectorPAGE 2Veterans and their families findthemselves in need of the services ofthe National Home for a variety ofreasons. Sometimes it is because theyare in an abusive relationship. Thereare only 1,500 shelters for batteredwomen nationwide and this lack ofshelters could be one ofthe reasons why womenhave so much difficultyescaping abuse. And it’sespecially poignantwhen you realize howcommon such abuseactually is. According tothe FBI, a woman isbeaten by a spouse orpartner every 15 secondsin the U.S.Because you are a caringperson, I know how youwould react if someone in your familydesperately needed assistance orbecame the target of an abuser. Youwould take them in, protect them, andhelp them to recover. And that’sexactly what your support helps us todo when a member of our extendedVFW family is a victim of abuse, orneeds our help in some other way.This issue of The Home Front featuresthe story of “Stacy” and her sixchildren. We’ve changed her name forher safety, but over the years, numerouswomen with similar stories havesought—and found—shelter here at theNational Home. Somewere veterans themselves,others the daughters andgranddaughters of warheroes. All needed andbenefited from the caringattention, counseling andprotection that yourdonations allow us toprovide.Each and every one ofthese women would loveto thank you personally,though of course they can’t. I hope youwill accept my personal gratitudeinstead, along with the knowledge thatyour support has helped Stacy’s familyand so many others to build new lives,without fear. As always, thank you!The flower beds around campus are weededand mulched, brush and leaves have beenpicked up, and fine mulch (kiddy carpet) hasbeen put down in the three playground areas,all thanks to a crew of volunteers from AxsonTechnologies, led by GM Marty Poljan. “The whole team from Axson was a greathelp,” said National Home Facilities DirectorTodd Marriott. “They gave us more time totackle other pressing needs around campus,and we are grateful.”Thank You,Volunteers!One of our biggest treats of springtime iswhen the community kids put on theirannual music recital. The crowd wasentertained with a multitude of talentsincluding solo and duet pianoperformances, singing, and a trumpetsolo! The little trumpeter was thrilledwhen the crowd called for more, whichhe had already prepared for, and helaunched into it immediately after hearing the word “encore”. Another highlight was abeautiful piano rendition of Adele’s “Hello.”The kids have been taking lessons all year with their teacher Rhonda Kennedy who hasbeen teaching students piano for 38 years here at the National Home! The onlyrequirement for students is a minimum age of 8 years old and an interest in learningmusic. Rhonda’s teaching doesn’t just stop at piano, either. If a student is in band orchoir and wants to bring their music in for help, she will work with them on thatmaterial as well.Showtime at theNational Home

A beloved long-timefriend to everything-VFW,Sandy Germany first got involved with theNational Home when she became an activemember of the VFW Auxiliary, andincreased her involvement as she becameactive with the VFW Auxiliary NationalLine Officers. She is proud to have had ahand in the Home’s growth, and equallyproud to see that growth continue, as shesays now:“It was my honor to be the NationalPresident when the first duplex was erectedat the Home and more have come sincethen. Everyone supporting such atremendous facility and cause can never beforgotten.”One of Sandy’s biggest regrets is that sheis no longer able to visit here and workdirectly with us as often as she used to.But her support continues, and sheeagerly encourages others to join in thateffort:“I support the National Home because theyare responsible for the wellbeing of somany families, including the youth. Whatsmall amount I am able to share withthem just means that I am not the onlyone who could be helping in some way. Weshould always remember that they need usand that any amount can help.”“I would tell everyone, DONATE, no matterhow large or small, it all adds up to agreat donation and helps to enable theHome to remain in existence.” “And above all else, make a trip to EatonRapids, Michigan to visit the Home. Thereis always someone willing and able to takeyou on a tour of the entire facility.”Given this devotion to our cause, it’sprobably not surprising that Sandy comesfrom a family tradition of military service.Her father was a World War II veteran. Herbrother served two tours in Vietnam, andher oldest son served in Korea, Iraq andAfghanistan. All are also members of theVFW family, as Sandy notes:“My father and brother are deceased, butwere life members of Kichler Pippen VFW#5658 in Elberta, and my oldest son, now49 years old, continues to serve as a LifeMember of this same Post. My love is witheach and every one of them.”After many years, Sandy’s work with theVFW Auxiliary National Organization isbeginning to slow a bit, but she stillcherishes her belief in what theorganization stands for as well as its goalsfor the past, present and future. And wecherish her!Sandy GermanyAs a past National President and currentDepartment Secretary/Treasurer, Sandy workswith and for the VFW Auxiliary every day.DONORSPOTLIGHTWhere should we shine the Spotlight next?If you would like to nominate anothermember of our community – or volunteeryourself – for a future Donor Spotlight,please contact Nancy Archambeau at(866) 483-9642, or by e-mail to:info@vfwnationalhome.orgThe music lessons and annual recital are just part of the wide-ranging program of activities that are planned for children at theNational Home.We have a 4-H program, parties, fishing expeditions in thesummer, skiing and skating in winter…and of course, since theseare kids with a family tradition of service, we give them lots ofopportunities to learn and volunteer. Throughout the year, thereare sports and games programs of every imaginable kind.But it’s only the support of friends like you that makes theseactivities possible. Will you come to the aid of our kids—and ourActivity Fund—with a special gift today?How to help:You can donate specifically for the activity program bywriting “Activity Fund” in the memo line on your check, andreturn your gift in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope.Thank you!Please support the 2016 Activity FundThe National Home wasglad to have theopportunity to host thisyear’s Women ServingWomen Vets retreat. This Michigan-basedorganization seeks toidentify and help the morethan 14,000 female veterans living in the state—women whomay be struggling with addiction, homelessness, sexualtrauma, PTSD, or joblessness. WSWVETS’s mission is to connectthem with the service organizations that will provideassistance in these areas. “This retreat has renewed my belief in the power of prayer,recovery and life.” remarked one attendee. She said that itwas “just what I needed to return home and begin my new life[of recovery].”Women Serving Women VetsPAGE 3

Each year, the National Home residentsand staff gather as a community toshare and celebrate theaccomplishments of the children andparents here at The National Home. Thisyear we honored educationalachievement, our preschool and highschool graduates, and parent honorees.The preschoolers were very excited toreceive their diplomas and sing theirsong! Preschool teachers Ivy Bush andNicole Mendoza read the childrens’names aloud, along with what theywanted to be when they grew up. Andthere were many wonderful careerchoices like bike shop mechanic, anEMT, Captain America, and Elsa.Our graduating High School seniors,John and Corey, both receivedgraduation gifts and Corey received ascholarship to help him next fall whenhe attends Michigan State University tostudy engineering.One of our residents, Lois, stood at thepodium and thanked everyone forhelping her to get through her toughtimes, enabling her to obtain acertificate in Bookkeeping and secure afull time permanent position.Husband and wife duo, Brad and Sherry,have both experienced bigaccomplishments in the past year.Sherry has graduated from DavenportUniversity with a degree in BusinessAdministration and Brad received hisAssociate’s degree at LansingCommunity College and plans to attendUniversity of Michigan-Ann Arbor forPsychology.It was so wonderful to have theopportunity to come together and sharein the joy of fulfilled goals!National Home CampusCalendar of EventsAug 6 • Ohio DayAug 7 • Michigan DaySept 24 • Illinois DaySept 25 • Indiana DayOct 21 • Trustees Board MeetingOct 22 • Annual Meeting of LifeMembersOct 22 • WI/MO Fall FestivalDec 3 • Cootie Christmas PartyPAGE 4There are very good reasons why charitable giftannuities have been around – and remained popular –for more than 100 years. An annuity not only helpsyour favorite charity, it can bring you importantbenefits as well, such as:• providing a guaranteed, fixed income for life (someof which will be tax-free).• possibly saving tax on Social Security benefits.• supplementing your retirement income.• reducing capital gains taxes, and saving on estatetaxes.• offering an alternative to CDs and money marketfunds.If you want to ensure that the National Home can meet the future needs ofveterans’ families and children, establishing a charitable gift annuity may be theperfect option for you. And it’s easy!Nancy Archambeau, Assistant Development Director, can help you learn more about charitable gift annuities and how they might meet both your personal and your charitable goals. To get started, simply use the enclosed reply form torequest our brochure, contact Nancy toll-free at 866-483-9642 or use our interactivetools at vfwnationalhome.org/annuity to explore the benefits of different scenarios.Can a Charitable Gift AnnuityBenefit You…AND Veterans?Congratulations on This Year’sEducational Achievements