We will be honoring the youth of Allegheny County by presenting awards and showing recognitions for their outstanding work through the American Legion programs. This dinner pays tribute to the young people throughout Allegheny County, who achieved excellence in their schools, community, Boy or Girl Scouts, Junior ROTC, ect. The youth will be given a medal, including a certificate, and an opportunity to speak before those assembled to describe their achievement.
As you may be well aware, they are our future leaders and we appreciate, as Legion and Auxiliary members, the chance to showcase these deserving young men and women of Allegheny County and other local communities. Please consider supporting this noble event by placing an ad in the Youth Achievement Dinner Program Book.
Click Here for more information about the Allegheny County Youth Achievement Dinner
- Department Commander Joe Socha, Brigadier General Scott D. Wagner, Mrs. Sam Saccamango, Congressman Jason Altmire
Today we continue to have young men and woman fighting the War on Terrorism. Some of these veterans will fall in to a life of homelessness. There are still veterans from previous wars that are becoming homeless, while some continue to remain homeless.
Homelessness remains a serious national problem that affects hundreds of thousands of U.S. veterans. On any given night an estimated 250,000 veterans are living on the streets or in shelters, with at least twice as many experiencing homelessness over the course of a year. More than one third of the adult homeless population is veterans.
The American Legion moved into a new frontier 23 years ago by implementing the Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation. The mission of this corporation is to provide a safe, clean, stable environment for a veteran while he or she receives job training and counseling to learn the life skills needed to be a productive citizen and self sufficient. A veteran has up to two years to establish the contacts and skills necessary to return to the workforce. Nearly 700 veterans have gone through this program, with an approximate success rate of 85%.
On January 9th, a dinner was held by the Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport. The dinner, held not only to raise funds for the remodeling and upkeep of these properties, (located in Moon Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Ephrata, Pennsylvania) but also to acknowledge those who have given of their time and efforts in making this Pennsylvania American Legion program a great success. Special thanks to guest speaker Brigadier General Scott D. Wagner, Deputy Adjutant General, Veterans Affairs, along with Steve Robertson, The American Legion National Legislative Director, Congressman Jason Altmire, and Congressman Tim Murphy, who offered remarks.
This year there were seven awards given to companies and/or individuals for their outstanding support and impact to the community this important program. The recipients were: Wyatt, Inc., Joseph Savino, Robert Kulus, Rick Isles, Craig Curtie, Fred Episcopo and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia. A special award was given to Sam Saccamango.
Article written by Colleen Washinger
Today young men and women continue fighting the War on Terrorism. Some of these veterans fall in to a life of homelessness. There is still veterans from previous wars that are becoming homeless, while others to remain homeless. Would you like to help a veteran to have a second chance on life?
The Pennsylvania American Legion started a non-profit organization to help address the homeless veterans problem through transitional housing, helping to secure a better job and going back to school. Our program is designed to enhance the quality of life for the veteran and their children. It is designed to help them become productive tax paying citizens again by securing a good, decent job.
Over the past 19 years, we have had over 655 veterans go through our program with an 85% success rate. Our homes are located in Moon Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Ephrata, Pennsylvania. We have a full-time director to help in achieving our vision of giving every homeless veteran a second chance at the American dream.
In order for the American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans to finance this program, we are asking for your support. We will be sponsoring a dinner on January 9, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport, Moon Township. There will be a cash bar beginning at 5:30 pm with dinner following at 7:00 pm. Dinner tickets are $25 per person and include a program book.
Ads can be placed in the program book at the following prices: Full page $70 (of which $50 can be used for a tax write off) 1/2 page $50 (of which $30 can be used for a tax write off) 1/4 page $40 (of which $21 can be used for a tax write off)Please make checks for dinner tickets and ads payable to:PA American Legion Housing for Homeless. Mail to Ron Conley, 709 Hope Street, Pittsburgh PA 15220
The remodeling and upkeep of these homes is the responsibility of The American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation.
We need your support!