The Veterans Voice Issue 7 - WNY Veterans Housing Coalition

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THE
July 2013: Issue 7
eteran Voice
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INDEPENDENCE DAY
JULY 4, 2013
Variously known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4 th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1942,
but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-1783). In
June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies, then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare
their independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by
Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4 th has been celebrated as the birth of the American independence, with
typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
FireWork Celebrations
Sat. 6/29 – Kenmore Days – Mang Park
Mon. 7/1 – Friendship Festival – Niagara Falls, Ont.
Wed. 7/3 – Coca Cola Field after Bisons game
Thur. 7/4 – Riverside Park
Thur. 7/4 – Canalside – Buffalo Waterfront
Thur. 7/4 – Darien Lake
Thur. 7/4 – Lancaster Village
Thur. 7/4 – Niawanda Park - Tonawandas
Thur. 7/4 – UB North Campus
Thurs. 7/4 – Oppenheim Park - Cheektowaga
Thur. 7/4 – Tn. Of Orchard Park
Thur. 7/4 – Hartley Park - Lakewood
Thur. 7/4 – Captain Kidds/Mickey Rats
Thur. 7/4 – Clarence Hollow
Thur. 7/4 – Transit Valley Country Club
Thur. 7/4 – Elma Boys & Girls Club
Fri. 7/5 – Seneca Niagara Casino
All Firework displays start at dusk….these are only a few of what is happening
Jul 2013: Issue 7
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Plans are in the works to have a fundraiser on Saturday
September 21, 2013 to raise awareness & essential funding
to erect a memorial on the Buffalo waterfront. This
memorial is dedicated to all WNY residents who have
served our country in support of the wars in Iraq &
Afghanistan.
This year’s Welcome Home Troops picnic will
take place on Saturday August 10, 2013 at
the new location at the Buffalo & Erie County
Naval & Military Park. Food, beverages,
services and entertainment available to all
Veterans & their families. Free access to the
ships and much more. Check bulletin boards
for more info as it becomes available
Information will be forthcoming; the goal is to raise
$50,000 to pay for this memorial. For more information
or to make a donation, go to www.wnyiam.org
On April 13, 2013 we held our 1st annual ‘WNY
Resources Summit for Female Veterans & Service
Members. It was a huge success! 60 agencies were
present, offering a multitude of services to our
Female Veterans & Service Members. Thanks to our
committee for all their hard work. A special thanks to
Medaille College for holding the event and the Whole
Hog Food Truck for serving a great lunch. Next year’s
event scheduled for Saturday March 30, 2014
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Come Fly a Kite for
Homeless Veterans
Was held
Saturday May 25th
Gratwick Waterfront Park
North Tonawanda
Our 1st annual ‘Come Fly a Kite’ was a huge
success….We gave out over 450 kites!! Fun
was had by all…it was a great family event.
A big THANK YOU to the Vietnam Veterans
of America Chapter 77 for all their support.
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Jul 2013: Issue 7
VETERANS STAND DOWN
This year the annual Veterans Stand
Down will be held Wednesday
th
August 14 at the Connecticut
Street Armory from 10:00AM to
2:00PM. Again WNY Veterans
Housing will be co-sponsoring the
event with support of the VA
Healthcare for Homeless Veterans
Program and Goodwill and our very
new partner The Veterans One-stop
Center of WNY.
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GAME NIGHTS at WNYVHC
Summer Festivals
Here are a few of the many
festivals in the area:
July 13-14 – Taste of Buffalo
(Delaware Ave/Downtown)
July 14-21 – Canal Fest (City of
Tonawanda/North Tonawanda)
rd
Game night is held the 3 Thursday
of every month. We will be holding
game nights in the lobby of 17 & 25
W. Utica. Information is posted in
advance. We have a number of
games & cards etc. for your pleasure.
July 21 & July 28 – Masten District
Jazz Festival (Humboldt Pkwy)
July 27 – Queen City Jazz Festival
(Colored Musicians Club)
July 27-28 – Buffalo Garden Walk
Canal Side & Buffalo
Place Happenings
Check bulletin boards for more
info & transportation
WNYVHC and Citi Bank
Present:
Summer Cookout!
Please join us on Saturday
August 17th for our annual
summer cookout.
There will be food, music,
and prizes.
So bring your dancing shoes and
help us celebrate the summer
season.
Cookout located in parking lot
between 17 W Utica
and 25 W Utica.
More Information to follow.
Need something to do??
Check out all the happenings
on the waterfront: Music,
Festivities, Fitness, Boating,
Farmers Markets, sand
beaches & more. Take
advantage of our great
waterfront…most of it is FREE
and a short ride on the train
August 1-4: Italian Festival (Hertel
Ave.)
August 1- 4: Eden Corn Festival
August 7 -18: Erie County Fair
August 17-18: Taking it to the
Streets International Crusade
Rally & Festival (Martin Luther
King Park)
August 23-25: Buffalo Irish Festival
(Canal Side)
August 23-25: Elmwood Avenue
Festival of the Arts
August 31 & September 1: National
Buffalo Wing Festival
(Coca Cola Field)
September 21: Music is Art Festival
(Delaware Park)
Work Orders Reminder: All work
orders should be called into the
office at
1-716-882-5935 ext. 24 or 26
Jul 2013: Issue 7
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-Recipe
-Animal
-Fact
-Joke
-Activity
-Tenants
-Staff
Dave’s Low Country Boil (recipe from allrecipes.com)
Ingredients
Famous in the Low Country of Georgia & South Carolina. This boil is done best on
an outdoor grill, but works on the stove too. It has sausage, shrimp, crab, potatoes &
corn for an all-in-one pot.
1-1/4 teaspoons seafood seasoning
3-4 ears corn on the cob
(such as Old Bay), to taste
(husks/silks removed)
2 pounds new potatoes
2 pounds whole crab, broken into pieces
16oz package cooked kielbasa sausage, 1-1/2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and
cut into 1 inch pieces
deveined
Directions
1.
2.
Heat a large pot of water over an outdoor cooker or medium-high heat indoors. Add Old Bay seasoning to taste, and
bring to a boil. Add potatoes, and sausage, and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the corn and crab; cook for another 5
minutes, then add shrimp, and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Drain off the water and pour the contents out onto a table covered with newspaper. Grab a plate, napkins
and a refreshment and enjoy!!
Joke: What did big bucket say to the little
bucket?
STAFF and NEW TENANTS OF THE QUARTER
Activity: Veterans Stand Down Wednesday
August 14th
Maintenance Technician
Started 2009
Animal: The Buffalo Zoo has 2 new additions
to their collection— baby polar bears Luna &
Kali!
Fact: Three hundred American soldiers froze to
death in Buffalo during the War of 1812….victims
of poor planning & worse equipment. They were
buried in a meadow. In 1896 came a placement
of a bolder marking the spot. The mound can be
th
found on the 4 hole on the Delaware Park Golf
Course…next time you’re in the area pay your
respects!!
Answer: You look a little pail…
Herb Torres III
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite food: Rice & Beans
Favorite activity: Playing with my children
Favorite part of working at WNYVHC:
The tenants!!!
Welcome to our new tenants of the
quarter:
David Sweet
Ulrika Woodward
Victor Trifilo
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Jul 2013: Issue 7
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It’s Your CALL
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255
Press 1
Or
Veteranscrisisline.net
The Veterans One-stop Center of WNY opened on
April 29, 2013
Confidential Help for Veterans and their
Families
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The VOC is located on the 2nd floor of 1280 Main St,
Buffalo, NY 14209 (corner of Bryant St).
Welcome Home
Vet Center
2372 Sweet Home Road
Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 862-7350
Mission: “Veterans One-stop Center of WNY, Inc. brings
people, organizations and resources together in time, space,
and efforts to effectively improve the well-being of all
Western New York Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and
their immediate families.”
Vision: “All Veterans and their families have barrier-free
access to the services they need to complete the transition
to civilian life and achieve their goals and full potential.”
Services Include:
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Accredited Benefits Counseling
Case Management Services
Education Services
Employment Services
Financial Counseling
Housing & Emergency Services
Legal Services & Treatment Court
Outreach & Intake Operations
Peer Mentoring Services
Readjustment Counseling Services
Women & Family Services
For more information call 716-898-0110 or go to their
website www.vocwny.org or visit at 1280 Main St 2nd
floor Buffalo, NY
Vet Center provides non-medical counseling &
assistance to war zone veterans and their family
members who are experiencing problems and
issues related to active duty military service in a
war zone or in the course of deployment during
war.
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Re-adjustment counseling
PTSD counseling
Marital & family counseling
Military sexual trauma counseling
Substance abuse counseling
Woman’s partners group
Benefits assistance & referral
Liaison with other VA agencies
Referrals to other community agencies
Bereavement counseling
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Jul 2013: Issue 7
Important Contact
Information
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Dates to Remember
WNYVHC
Phone: (716)882-5935
After-Hours Emergency
Phone: (716)879-0505
July 1 – Canada Day
July 4 – Independence Day (office closed)
Veteran’s Hospital
August 10 – Welcome Home Picnic
Phone: (716)834-9200
August 14 – Veterans Stand Down
Social Services
August 17 – WNYVHC Cookout
Phone: (716)858-8000
Crisis Services
Phone: (716)834-3131
September 3 – Labor Day (office closed)
September 11 – (911) – Patriots Day
Phone: (716)858-7870
September 21 – Iraq Afghanistan Memorial
fundraiser
Veterans Crisis Line
September 22 – Autumn begins
Erie County Senior Services
1-800-273-8255 Press 1
Medicare/ Medicaid Taxi
Phone: 1(800) 829-4222
Verizon Lifeline
Phone: 1(800)837-4966
Veterans One-stop Center
Phone (716) 898-0110
We have a lot of great events
coming up over the next three
months, so please watch the notice
boards for more information.