FOUNDATION: Illinois AMVETS Service Foundation Grants Awarded: 2006-2007

SERVICE FOUNDATION GRANTS
5,000 shirts for troops overseas	$160,000
The Illinois AMVETS Service Foundation has purchased 4,500 shirts for our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. These long-sleeve shirts help to absorb moisture, keeping body heat in during the cold months of the winter. Wearing these shirts allows the temperatures and conditions to be more bearable for military men and women.
4000 Phone cards for troops overseas	$40,000
Along with the long-sleeved shirts mentioned above, 275-minute phone cards were purchased for the troops overseas to stay in contact with family and other loved ones, preserving strong familial bonds.
Hines VA Hospital	$3,784
This grant purchased various technology equipment designed to better the healing process.
Freedom's Foundation	$3,714
Freedom's Foundation is designed to stress the importance of our Constitution and Bill of Rights to our youth in today's world. Funding for airfare and other participation fees were provided for several students to participate in this educational experience used to develop a well-rounded student in American ideals and leadership.
Rickover Naval Academy	$2,000
The Rickover Naval Academy recruits enthusiastic and dedicated students who want to commit to learning and serving. Incoming freshmen are introduced to it's first-rate Navy JROTC program.
Carillons	$600
Illinois AMVETS provides carillons in cemeteries statewide so bells may be rung to honor veterans at funeral services. Specifically, this money was used for maintenance of the carillons.

SCHOLARSHIPS	$61,000
Illinois AMVETS has given 42 scholarships thus far. Preference for scholarships is given to a veteran's child or grandchild. Scholarships are given to further students' educations and promote academic excellence.

SPECIAL GRANTS
VAVS	$18,000
VAVS grants are available to the VA Hospitals and VA Medical Centers in Hines, North Chicago, Danville, Marion, Manteno, and the Jesse Brown VA. VAVS grants are used specifically for the service and rehabilitation of Veterans at the VA Hospitals and the VA Medical Centers to provide such things as: canteen books, personal comfort kits, entertainment for the Veterans, and any other special needs for the Veterans in these facilities. In addition the Ladies Auxiliary receives funds to use throughout the state as well. These grants are provided to make patients' lives more comfortable and enjoyable during their stay at a medical facility.
Because We Care Day	$1,500
Grants are available to Hines VA Hospital, North Chicago VA and the VA at Danville. Because We Care Day is a designated day each year where the AMVETS VAVS Representatives distribute personal hygiene kits to all Veterans at the VA Hospitals and the VA Medical Centers statewide.
AMVETS 40th Annual Bowling Tournament	$1,700
The AMVETS hosted their 40th Annual Memorial Bowling Tournament on May 17th, 2007 in Hillside. This offers a day of recreational therapy and fellowship for the patients at the Chicago & Milwaukee-area VA Medical Centers.

MONTHLY GRANTS

USO at O'Hare, Midway & Downtown Chicago receives $800 (each) per month to provide for the needs of recruits, while they are away from their families at Lambert USO, traveling to and from their duty stations.

USO at Lambert receives $800 per month to provide for the needs of recruits, while they are away from their families at Lambert USO, traveling to and from their duty stations.

The USO at Great Lakes receives $800 per month to provide for the needs of recruits, while they are away from their families at Lambert USO, traveling to and from their duty stations.

Quincy Veterans Benefit Fund receives $450 per month to sponsor dances at Smith Hall for veterans at the Quincy Veterans Home.

Birdcage Program at Hines receives $200 per month for the maintenance and care of the birds and cages at Hines VA Hospital, which entertain the veterans on a daily basis.

The Flower Program receives $200 per month for creative therapy for veterans at Hines VA Hospital.

Ceramics Program at North Chicago receives $100 per month for creative therapy for the veterans.

Hines General Post Fund receives $100 per month for outings for veterans residing at Hines VA Hospital.

VAVS Canteen Fund receives $50 per month to purchase canteen books for the Peoria Outpatient Clinic, so patients may purchase items for their special needs.

DIVISION GRANTS There are five divisions in Illinois. Each division is allotted $400 to provide service to veterans and their community. Each division's Ladies Auxiliary is allotted $200 for the same purpose. For FY 2006-2007, this is what the Divisions and Ladies Auxiliaries have accomplished thus far:

Division II takes hospitalized veterans to an outdoor picnic and assists with Bridging the Gap (a homeless veterans programs).

Ladies Auxiliary Division II provided SOS packages to the service men and women overseas.

Division III held a party for veterans in October and April at the Quincy Veterans Home.

Ladies Auxiliary Division III assisted in an October party at the Quincy Veterans Home.

Division IV purchases items from a wish list for residents at the LaSalle Veterans Home.

Ladies Auxiliary Division IV purchased items for the Manteno and Illiana Veterans Homes for the bingo/pizza parties.

Divisions are also allotted a $1,000 grant to assist the Special Olympics Program.

Division I Special Olympics gave money to a bowling event for the Special Olympics in Peoria.

Division II Special Olympics purchased uniforms for Special Olympics athletes.

Division IV Special Olympics supported local Special Olympics programs.

POST GRANTS Each Post in Illinois may apply for a $400 grant to provide service to veterans and their community. In FY 2006-2007, this is what AMVETS Department of Illinois Posts have accomplished thus far:

Post 3 used their funding to serve veterans at the Illiana VA in Danville.

Post 4 held a picnic for the residents of the Marion VA hospital.

Post 5 used their funding to entertain veterans at the VA, as well as participate in a Memorial Day ceremony.

Post 8 provides clothing and companionship to veterans in their community nursing homes.

Post 13 holds monthly bingo parties at Hines VA, as well as a Christmas party with gifts provided.

Post 14 purchases new flags for funerals, parades and other events honoring veterans.

Post 18 volunteers services at Hines VA, provides funding for the local Special Olympics and supports troops at the USO O'Hare.

Post 24 holds monthly bingo parties at Hines VA.

Post 30 passed out gift cards to veterans at local nursing homes.

Post 31 helped support a cookout at the Marion VA.

Post 32 supported local veterans.

Post 34 provided three instances of food and entertainment for the patients at the Blind Rehabilitation Center at Hines VA and the USO O'Hare.

Post 35 hosted their annual St. Patrick's Day dinner for patients from the North Chicago VAMC.

Post 36 contributed their funds to the national program Operation DVD, which provides serving military members with DVDs for entertainment.

Post 37 purchased food and clothing for needy veterans.

Post 41 used their funds to host parties and bingo games for veterans at the Heritage Home in Hudsonville.

Post 43 supported veterans with special needs.

Post 47 purchased phone cards for troops currently deployed to call home during the holidays.

Post 51 purchased items for the local veteran's home.

Post 52 held a cookout at Manteno Veterans Home.

Post 64 packages Christmas baskets for needy veterans.

Post 66 holds a bingo Christmas party at the North Chicago VAMC.

Post 67 hosts a cookout at the Manteno Veterans Home.

Post 71 purchased Christmas gifts for all veterans in the three Lincoln-area nursing homes.

Post 91 helped needy Veterans in Anna throughout the year.

Post 94 held a special veterans dinner for those going overseas.

Post 97 holds monthly bingo games at Hines VA.

Post 100 provided food baskets for needy veterans and their families.

Post 103 provided food baskets for needy veterans during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Post 104 provided personal/ comfort items for residents of Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy and procure prizes for weekly bingo for the residents.

Post 107 holds a bingo and pizza party for veterans at the Manteno Veterans Home.

Post 113 presented veterans and their families with food baskets for Christmas.

Post 116 presented food baskets to less fortunate veterans and their families of Livingston County during the holidays.

Post 120 purchased clothing and hygiene items for veterans in local nursing homes.

Post 123 assisted local veterans.

Post 132 held a picnic at Ft. Massac State Park for veterans and their families.

Post 140 held a Christmas party for veteran in local nursing homes, as well as a BBQ cookout during the Fourth of July.

Post 145 used their funds to support the Veterans Stand Down in Rock Island, which supports homeless veterans.

Post 148 utilizes their funds to assist veterans at the Marion Skilled Care Center.

Post 161 paid a visit to local veterans home.

Post 167 purchases food for needy veterans throughout the year.

Post 169 provided Christmas baskets to Tazwell County veterans.

Post 179 held a Veterans Day Dinner in their community.

Post 180 sponsored veteran fellowship.

Post 202 provided a water fountain at the VA Clinic in Elgin.

Post 245 held a picnic for hospitalized veterans at the Fox River Grove Park.

Post 247 holds bingo at the Jesse Brown VAMC monthly.

Post 256 hold upcoming veterans celebration.

Post 267 uses their funds to assist need veterans at Christmastime.

Post 269 installed a handicapped ramp for a disabled veteran.

Post 270 helps provide items on a wish list at the Danville VAMC.

Post 276 provides items for needy veterans, fruit baskets at Christmastime and a Thanksgiving dinner with their funds.

Post 277 purchased clothing for veterans in the North Chicago VA hospital.

Post 312 helps to provide items on wish lists from two local nursing homes.

Post 326 uses their funds for a "Cinco de Mayo" fundraising banquet.

District 14 put on a Super Bingo and pizza party at the VA Hospital in Danville.

LADIES AUXILIARY GRANTS Each Ladies Auxiliary in Illinois may apply for a $200 grant to provide service to veterans and their community. In FY 2006-2007, this is what AMVETS Department of Illinois Ladies Auxiliary have accomplished thus far:

Ladies Auxiliary 3 used their funds to serve veterans at the Illiana VA in Danville.

Ladies Auxiliary 4 applied their funds towards serving patients at the local VA nursing home.

Ladies Auxiliary 8 provides clothing and companionship to veterans in their community nursing homes.

Ladies Auxiliary 13 held monthly bingo parties, a Christmas party and special meal days at Hines VA hospital.

Ladies Auxiliary 24 holds monthly bingo parties at Hines VA.

Ladies Auxiliary 33 hosted bingo at the Illinois Health Care Facility in Danville, as well as other community-based activities.

Ladies Auxiliary 34 provided three instances of food and entertainment for the patients at the Blind Rehabilitation Center at Hines VA and the USO O'Hare

Ladies Auxiliary 35 held a holiday party at a nursing home in North Chicago with bingo, refreshments and gifts for the veterans.

Ladies Auxiliary 41 provided clothing and food items for veterans on various holidays.

Ladies Auxiliary 52 purchased canteen card funds for the Manteno Veterans Home.

Ladies Auxiliary 55 sent holiday greetings to men and women stationed overseas.

Ladies Auxiliary 64 provided Christmas baskets and children's gifts for families of veterans.

Ladies Auxiliary 67 utilizes their funding to hold bingo and pizza parties at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno.

Ladies Auxiliary 71 purchased Christmas gifts for all veterans in the three Lincoln-area nursing homes.

Ladies Auxiliary 72 bought clothing for veterans at the Hines VA Hospital.

Ladies Auxiliary 116 purchases holiday gifts and clothing for veterans in local nursing homes and at the Manteno VA.

Ladies Auxiliary 132 provided Christmas gifts for shut-in veterans.

Ladies Auxiliary 145 used their funds to support the Veterans Stand Down in Rock Island, which supports homeless veterans.

Ladies Auxiliary 148 assisted veterans.

Ladies Auxiliary 169 held a bingo game with prizes and refreshments at the Quincy Veterans Home.

Ladies Auxiliary 235 purchased food for needy veterans during the holidays.

Ladies Auxiliary 276 purchased items to send overseas to local military members currently deployed.

SAD SACKS GRANTS Each Sad Sack Unit in Illinois may apply for a $200 grant to provide service to veterans and their community. In FY 2006-2007, this is what AMVETS Department of Illinois Sad Sack units have accomplished thus far:

Sad Sacks 10 held a cookout at Anna for veterans.

Sad Sacks 11 purchased bibs for patients at the Heartland Nursing Home.

Sad Sacks 54 hosted a Corn Beef and Cabbage St. Patrick's Day dinner for patients at the North Chicago VAMC.

Sad Sacks 126 provided a Thanksgiving dinner for the recruits at the Great Lakes USO.

Sad Sacks 169 provided Christmas baskets for veterans.

RETURN TO FOUNDATION HOME