OPERATION: 24 below

Afghanistan is known to have wide temperature fluctuations between day and night. In the winter months (November thru March) Northerly winds flows south from Russia, bringing blizzards, freezing rain, lashing winds and upwards to 24" of snow before the sun rises. Nightfall often brings record lows of 24 below zero.  After receiving several requests from our troops for blankets, Morris County Cares garnered over 700 blankets and sent them to our troops. Photo: boxes of more than 700 blankets ready for shipment.) 

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OPERATION: TOYS for TOTS

Toys for Tots is a program run by the Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford them during the holiday season. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major Bill Hendricks when his wife Diane tried to donate a homemade Raggedy Ann doll to a needy child but could find no organization to do so. At her suggestion, he gathered a group of local Marine reservists and collected some 5,000 toys for local children that year.  When Tim Kelly, EdD, a community leader and educator at Mt Olive High School was looking for a community service project for his Distributive Education Club of American (DECA) students, they graciously offered to host a Toys for Tots Breakfast with Santa fundraiser, collecting more than 200 toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. (Photo: The Mount Olive High School DECA volunteers.) 

OPERATION: Granted

Morris County Cares, an extension of the AVM fulfilled more than 1,200 requests from service men and women while deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Requests ranging from new boots to Xbox gaming systems to holiday decorations were fulfilled by private donors with no hesitation. Shipment costs was generously provided by individual Walmart stores across New Jersey.  The Walmart Corporation donated upwards of $20,000 of community grant money towards our efforts.  ( Photo: boxes of individual requests waiting to be fulfilled, packed and shipped.)

HIRE A WARRIOR

http://godefense.cpms.osd.mil/

https://www.ge.com/careers/culture/us-veterans

https://careers.homedepot.com/career-areas/military/

http://walmartcareerswithamission.com/

OPERATION: Magazines to magazines 

Coming home is challenging for every service member, veteran—and family member. It's estimated that one in three veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will experience combat–stress also known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD) or a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  In fact, it is reported that 22 veterans end their lives by their own hand each day. That's a suicide every 65 minutes.  The "invisible wounds"  of these wars are complex and many of the symptoms are the same. The AVM, through their partnerships with various New York and New Jersey based corporate flight departments provide reading material to those who are either hospitalized or being evaluated for possible PTSD. Hundreds of magazines are delivered each month to hospitals and clinics free of charge.

Troop relationships facilitated through grassroots campaign

As the holidays approach, our military men and women will be celebrating in Iraq and Afghanistan. These recently deployed members of the National Guard will be spending their holiday season more than 6,000 miles away from their homes and loved ones. For many, this is their third, and even fourth tour of duty in the Middle East. Here at home, Americans want to show their support for all the brave men and women overseas. To achieve that goal, Charlie Uhrmann of Mt. Olive, is spearheading a grassroots campaign.

                                                                                      OPERATION: Helmets to Hardhats

The transition from military life to civilian life can be the real battle for our  warriors.  As thousands of American employers know, hiring veterans is a smart move. There are more than 7 million veterans in the U.S. labor force, meaning they’re either employed or actively looking for work. If you’re curious about working with veterans, here are three great reasons to hire one:

1.TEAMWORK:  Military service emphasizes the value of teamwork, organization and discipline. Military training teaches service members to work as a team by instilling a sense of a responsibility to colleagues. What’s more, the size and scope of military operations demand that service members understand how groups of all sizes relate to each other and support the overarching goal. While military duties stress teamwork and group productivity, they also build individuals who are able to perform independently at a very high level.

2. PROBLEM SOLVING: Veterans are goal-oriented workers, with plenty of experience in quickly adapting to new situations and solving problems. As service members, they developed the capacity and time-management skills needed to know how to accomplish tasks correctly and on time, in spite of limited resources and pressure.

3. LEADERSHIP:  The military trains service members to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation, motivation and inspiration in some of the toughest situations imaginable. Veterans are not only well schooled in the academic theory of leadership; they also understand and have used practical ways to manage behaviors for results.The All Veterans Memorial face book page keeps our readers up-to-date with up and coming job fairs and career opportunities throughout the tri-state area.  https://blog.dol.gov/2017/01/31/3-reasons-hire-hero 

 VETERANS AFFAIRS
 VA BENEFITS
1-800-827-1000
Department Includes:
Burial
Death Pension
Dependency Indemnity Compensation
Direct Deposit
Directions to VA Benefits Regional Offices
Disability Compensation
Disability Pension
Education
Home Loan Guaranty
Medical Care
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Beneficiaries in receipt of Pension Benefits
1-877-294-6380
Debt Management Center (Collection of Non-Medical Debts)
1-800-827-0648
Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV)
Foreign Medical Program (FMP)
Spina Bifida Health Care Program
1-877-345-8179(or)1-888-820-1756

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)
CHAMPVA
In-House Treatment Initiative (CITI)
1-800-733-8387

Education (GI Bill)
1-888-442-4551

Health Care Benefits
1-877-222-8387

Income Verification and Means Testing
1-800-929-8387

Life Insurance
1-800-419-1473 or 1-800-669-8477
Department Includes:
Service members and/or Veterans Group Life Insurance Program
All other VA Life Insurance Programs

Mammography Helpline
1-888-492-7844

Meds by Mail
1-888-385-0235 (or) 1-866-229-7389

Special Issues -
Gulf War/Agent Orange/Project Shad/Mustard Agents and
Lewisite/Ionizing Radiation
1-800-749-8387

Status of Headstones and Markers
1-800-697-6947

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)
1-800-829-4833


MILITARY FAMILY GUIDE

Benefits for Elderly Veterans

www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-elderly.asp

Understanding Your Legal Rights / Active Duty
www.justgreatlawyers.com/legal-rights-on-active-duty

50 Tips You NEED Before Your Next PCS Move

http://militaryspouse.com/military-life/pcs/50-tips-you-need-before-your-next-pcs-move/

Military & Veterans Discounts
www.retailmenot.com/blog/military-and-veterans-day-discounts.html

Operation American Dream: A Guide to Buying and Keeping Your Home in the Military
www.homecity.com/a-guide-to-buying-and-keeping-your-home-in-the-military

Employment Resources for Military Spouses

www.realwarriors.net/family/care/militaryspouseemployment.php

Sesame Street for Military Families

http://www.sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/

OPERATION: 3H - Helping Homeless Heroes 

Our nation’s homeless veterans are predominantly single males that live in urban areas; they suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse. America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama Lebanon, Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. Nearly half of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era. A large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks. The AVM is a proud supporter of documented homeless and hospitalized veterans. Our services include monthly deliveries of hygiene products and other needed or requested items to our homeless heroes. 

ImagineWorld Peace .. A bridging campaign

"We are proud of what we have accomplished.  In less than ten years we were able to provide community awareness through educational presentations, home and abroad troop support through our "OPERATION" outreach programs and international bridging effort through our "Imagine World Peace" campaign .  The success of our programs have been made possible because of the many patriots who share our core values & appreciation for the freedom we enjoy each and every day". Charlie Uhrmann

Imagine World Peace: Bless the children  

As the United States reorganized, trained and equipped Iraq’s military to defend their country against insurgents, our troops felt the need to embrace the Iraqi soldier’s family members as well.  Basic articles such as clothing, toys and hygiene products were requested by our troops on behalf of the children.  As part of Morris County Cares “Imagine World Peace” campaign, our volunteers fulfilled the dreams of upwards to 100 Iraqi children. (Photos: Iraqi children wait in line to receive a gift bag.) 

OPERATION: On behalf of a grateful nation.

The GWOT Purple Heart Memorial Bridge pays tribute to all New Jersey heroes who lost their lives while fighting the Global War on Terror.  Each 6" x 6" medallion pavers are privately funded by patriots who believe that every fallen hero should be forever remembered and honored for their selfless service. During the first and second wave, sponsorships also included a limited edition AVM Inaugural Flag that were presented by the NJ Patriot Guard, then delivered to the family of the fallen hero. We believe that private support and sponsorship conveys a silent declaration to the survivors and that "We the People" are forever grateful for such sacrifice. The GWOT Memorial Bridge provides not only a reverent, but more accessible place for the family members whose loved ones are buried in Arlington Cemetery to visit their loved ones.  (Photo (L): NJ Patriot Guard presenting the flags and a family member of a fallen folding their loved one's flag. 
Charlie Uhrmann (R) delivers the remaining flags to  the Veteran's Administration Building in Trenton to be  forwarded to the families.) 

OPERATION: Code blue

Since 2003 the Ibn Sina, a 56-bed trauma hospital in the Green Zone of Iraq has treated thousands of American troops and has been celebrated as a place where the doctors and nurses cared for whomever showed up. Their informal motto: “Keep them breathing and stop the bleeding.”  During a period of intense fighting, additional medical supplies were required to keep up with the needs of our wounded.  Our generous supporters did not hesitate to respond, sending more than one hundred boxes of supplies they collected from family, friends and organizations.  Walmart’s generous community grants provided the funding needed to send the medical supplies to Iraq.                           ( Photo: U.S. Army Joint Headquarters delivers the supplies to ibn Sina)

Imagine World Peace: Cash for Candy

In an effort to help build trust and relations between our soldiers and the Iraqi people, a California dentist began a twofold grassroots effort to buy back the Halloween candy their patients received while Trick or Treating and send the candy to our troops to distribute to the Iraqi children.  The “Cash for Candy” campaign took no time to catch the enthusiasm of dentists across the nation.  However, once the dentists acquired the candy, they had nowhere to send it.  Morris County Cares accepted the candy, removing dangerous and/or inappropriate pieces from each box and sent the boxes to Iraq.  Walmart provided the funding to ship more than 1,200 lbs of candy to our troops.

Imagine World Peace: School supplies

As U.S. forces in Iraq focused on educating Iraqis as they move toward returning Iraq to national sovereignty, they were proud to take part in the rebuilding of two schools that underwent major reconstruction after being virtually destroyed during insurgent-led attacks. Many saw this as an opportunity to build trust between two different cultures by using kindness as its foundation.  Upon the reopening of these schools, the call for school supplies made its way to our doors.   It took Morris County Care’s “Imagine World Peace” community less than two weeks to garner enough school supplies to get one school well on their way and Walmart for funding the shipping.  (Photos: 1. School supplies ready to be shipped. 2. Troops loading school supplies into a truck to be delivered to the children of  Iraq. )