To ensure that your Post is eligible to participate please contact your local Tractor Supply store manager directly as soon as possible. You can find the nearest Tractor Supply store by going to www.tractorsupply.com  Click on the “find a store” hyperlink at the top left of the home page and enter your zip code.

We encourage VFW Post members to take advantage of this incredible opportunity from our great friends at Tractor Supply. And please do not forget to tell store personnel that you appreciate their heartfelt support of U.S. troops, veterans and military families. After all, wouldn’t you rather shop at a store that truly cares about patriotism and the VFW?

More than 7,500 local VFW posts nationwide will be promoting this month-long donation drive to its members, families and friends.

During May’s “Salute the Troops” program, participating Buffalo Wild Wings locations will be donating 10% of total food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases for guests who present a Military ID, VFW Membership card or Return the Favor card.

“We’re proud to be paying tribute to our nation’s brave service men and women,” says Jeffrey Miller, the restaurant chain’s Director of Field Marketing. “And we believe our guests will leap at the opportunity to show their support, too.”

The “Salute the Troops” program also thanks restaurant guests for participating. Donors will receive a yellow wristband. Wearing the wristband into Buffalo Wild Wings anytime in May will allow them to donate again. Wearing it in June entitles guests to 10% off of their food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases. One wristband per check, while supplies last.

For more information and participating locations, visit troops.buffalowildwings.com.

VFW Posts can receive up to $5,000 to fix up their buildings; however, of course, there is no guarantee of funding.

To begin the process, type in the following Internet link:
http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/how-we-help/grants.html
Near the bottom of the web page choose “Click here to start the application”

To help you complete this application, the VFW Foundation has prepared a step-by-step how-to guide. We have tried to make the instructions as simple as possible. Any deviation from this guide will most likely result in not being able to submit the application. To receive this information send an email to: foundation@vfw.org. Be sure to type the following in the subject heading: Need Home Depot Guide

The application must be filled out via the Internet only (no telephone calls to HD, emails or written submissions will be accepted nor will you be able to turn this application in at your local HD store).

Pay close attention to the Tax ID Instructions Section. You will use the Employee Identification Number (EIN) of your Post and upload the Post’s 501(c)(19) IRS determination letter at the end of the application.

If you receive funding it will come in the form of Home Depot gift cards that can be used to buy materials at your local HD store. You will need to recruit Post members or other community volunteers to do the work. The project must be completed within 6 months. You will also be required to fill out a final report. Failure to do so will negatively impact your Post’s ability to receive any future funding from The Home Depot.

After submission of the application, you should receive a written email response from HD usually in six weeks letting you know if you received the grant.

Should you have any questions, please contact Richard Freiburghouse, Grants Manager, at
(816) 968-1124 or rfreiburghouse@vfw.org

“For over 100 years, Arpin has shown a commitment to quality services to our military members, while at the same time giving back in the communities they serve,” said VFW Foundation Director John Lowe. “We cannot say enough how much we appreciate their support of the VFW Foundation and look forward to a lasting partnership in which we are able to continue to provide urgently needed assistance for America’s military and their families.”

“As an employer of veterans, we understand how crucial their personal sacrifices are to the freedom of this country,” said David Arpin, President and CEO of Arpin Van Lines. “Our company instituted a Veterans’ Special Services and Discount Program in 2010, which offers moving discounts to those who have served our country. After searching for the right veteran organization to partner with, it’s clear that the VFW Foundation is the best fit. The VFW Foundation has been an excellent communicator and has created a program that is very beneficial to the veterans. We are proud to be a partner.”

The VFW Foundation’s Return the Favor campaign supports programs and services that provide emergency financial assistance for military families, free phone calls for deployed troops, VIP treatment for service members and their families at entertainment events, morale boosting events for military units, and critical services that guide veterans through VA entitlement claims.

About Arpin Van Lines:

Arpin Van Lines, headquartered in West Warwick, Rhode Island, is an industry leader in household goods moving for corporate, government and military customers. With over 100 years of experience and a reputation for excellent service, Arpin Van Lines is the only U.S.-based family owned and operated moving and storage company that has remained dominant and successful for more than a century. Quality driven and privately owned, Arpin Van Lines’ core philosophy has always been “Creating Customers for Life®.” As The Official Mover of the LPGA and a ProMover-certified member of the American Moving and Storage Association, Arpin Van Lines has over 330 agency locations throughout the United States. Arpin Van Lines is a division of the Arpin Group, Inc., which also includes Arpin International Group, Creative Storage Solutions, Arpin Renewable Energy, and Arpin Broadcast Network, LLC. For more information call 1-800-343-3500 or visit http://www.arpin.com.

About the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation:

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation is the official charity of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), America’s largest organization for combat veterans. Its mission is to support programs and services that provide emergency financial assistance for military families, free phone calls for deployed troops, VIP treatment for service members and their families at entertainment events, morale boosting events for military units, and critical services that guide veterans through VA entitlement claims. These programs and services are provided at no cost to the recipients. The VFW Foundation is one of the nation’s highest rated 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. For more information, please visit www.vfwfoundation.org. Its Return the Favor campaign is an awareness and fundraising effort to honor, celebrate, and support active-duty military, veterans, and their families. For more information, please visit www.returnthefavor.org.

“Honoring veterans from the past and present is crucial to both organizations’ missions and we look forward to working with VFW Foundation in this expanded capacity,” said National World War I Museum President & CEO Brian Alexander.

“The National World War I Museum is a world-class facility, and we look forward to continuing to grow together,” said VFW Foundation Director John Lowe. “The VFW Foundation is committed to honoring those who have sacrificed for our great nation and I am impressed with the museum’s commitment to honoring those who served in ‘the war to end all wars’.”

The VFW Foundation is the official charity of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), America’s largest organization of combat veterans. Both the VFW National Headquarters and Liberty Memorial have been staples of the Kansas City community since the 1920s. Since 2004, the VFW has provided over $4 million in emergency financial assistance to military families and since 2007, the VFW has provided over 5 million free phone call connections to service members overseas.

About the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial:
The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial is the only American museum solely dedicated to preserving the objects, history and personal experiences of a war whose impact still echoes today. Designated by Congress as the United States’ official World War I Museum and located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, the Museum inspires thought, dialogue, and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. By combining interactive technology with one of the greatest collections of World War I artifacts anywhere in the world, the Museum tells the story of the Great War through the eyes of those who lived it. Visit www.theworldwar.org for details.

About Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation:
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation is the official charity of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), America’s largest organization for combat veterans. Its mission is to support programs and services that provide emergency financial assistance for military families, free phone calls for deployed troops, VIP treatment for service members and their families at entertainment events, morale boosting events for military units, and critical services that guide veterans through VA entitlement claims. These programs and services are provided at no cost to the recipients. The VFW Foundation is one of the nation’s highest rated 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. For more information, please visit www.vfwfoundation.org. Its Return the Favor campaign is an awareness and fundraising effort to honor, celebrate, and support active-duty military, veterans, and their families. For more information, please visit www.returnthefavor.org.

Kansas City, Mo., January 31, 2012 –Sport Clips Haircuts today gave the Veterans of Foreign Wars a check in the amount of $450,000 for Operation Uplink™, a program that provides free “talk time” to deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members via satellite phone and computer. Today’s gift tops more than $1 million overall in the franchise’s five-year support of the program — $1,311,777 to be exact.

Sport Clips’ annual Help a Hero campaign to benefit Operation Uplink has provided the two largest single gifts to the program, making possible more than 1.5 million calls home by the end of 2011. Sport Clips Founder/CEO, lifetime VFW Member and recently appointed VFW Foundation Board Member Gordon Logan presented a check today to the VFW Leadership Team at its national headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. The donation exceeded Sport Clips’ 2011 gift by $50,000 and represents funds raised by company team members and clients from 825 locations across the country.

“Even as we welcome more of our service men and women back home, our commitment remains strong to those who are serving our country overseas and in hospitals and their families and loved ones. We appreciate all those who worked so hard to make this milestone donation possible,” Logan said.

“We hear over and over how meaningful these phone calls home are to our troops and their families throughout the year, and it makes us all proud to know we’ll be sponsoring 17 call days in 2012. It was important to me when I was overseas with the Air Force, and it’s important to our troops overseas and in hospitals to be able to call home during long deployments.” Logan added, “We really want to thank our clients who showed support for our troops with additional donations and our hard-working Sport Clips team members who took time during their work day and beyond to raise money for our Help a Hero effort to benefit Operation Uplink.”

Cassie Guy, team leader (franchise owner) of the Port Arthur, Texas store that raised the most money in the Sport Clips system, attended the check presentation along with store manager Mandy Smith. Guy says the store’s team members feel driven by the purpose of Help a Hero and went all-out working before, during and after hours to hold garage and bake sales, a clay shoot, auction and tailgate at a nearby university to increase awareness and donations for the program. “I’m extremely proud of their effort and compassion,” Guy said.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (Dec. 22, 2011) – K-State Athletics and K-State Sports Properties announced today a brand-new partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation, providing Wildcat fans a unique way to honor America’s military throughout the 2011-’12 basketball season. This marks the first time the VFW Foundation has partnered specifically with a Division I institution. Throughout the season, fans can pledge their support for each free throw made by K-State through the Return the Favor Charity Stripe Campaign.

Fans can make a donation by visiting www.ksucharitystripe.com or Varney’s Bookstore in Aggieville. Varney’s will match each dollar that is donated. Fans can also make a one-time gift by texting “RETURN” to 90999 for a $10 donation. All proceeds generated by K-State fans and corporate partners throughout the men’s basketball season will benefit the VFW Foundation’s Return the Favor campaign, which honors, celebrates and supports active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.

Return the Favor supports programs and services that provide emergency financial assistance for military families, free phone calls for service members overseas, morale boosting events for military units, VIP treatment for troops and their families at entertainment events, and critical services that help guide veterans through VA entitlement claims. Current K-State corporate partners already pledging their support of the Return the Favor Charity Stripe Campaign are Briggs Auto Group, The Eye Doctors, Manhattan Regional Airport, Varney’s Book Store, Community First National Bank, Rev Honey Beverages, Manhattan Town Center, Bud Light and Flint Hills Beverage.

All corporations who have donated to the campaign will be honored with a check presentation to the VFW Foundation on February 7th during halftime of the K-State game against Texas Tech. “The relationship between Kansas State University and Ft. Riley is really unique and unsurpassed,” said Athletic Director John Currie. “This partnership with the VFW Foundation is a natural extension of that existing relationship, and we believe our fans will knock this out of the park in terms of monetary support for an outstanding organization that truly helps our military members, veterans and their families.” The VFW Foundation partnership was secured through K-State Sports Properties, the multimedia rights holder for K-State Athletics.

Last month, the VFW Foundation made its first foray into collegiate sports marketing by forming a similar partnership with MVC Sports Properties, a conference-wide initiative for VFW Foundation and the 10 Missouri Valley Conference member schools. MVC and K-State are both represented by Learfield Sports, which manages the multimedia rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations. “This is a very unique partnership in college athletics, “said John Lowe, Director for the Kansas City, Mo.-based VFW Foundation. “I was extremely impressed with the fact that the entire Manhattan community has gotten behind this effort and find the university’s connection with Ft. Riley and the entire region amazing.”

It’s the stories and the people they meet that motivated the Chiefs on Tuesday. According to quarterback Matt Cassel, saying thank you just wasn’t enough.

“It’s just something I’m so thankful for. Their sacrifice and what they’ve done for our country and our people,” he said.

Tuesday, Chiefs players and administrators spent the morning at Kansas City’s VA Medical Center, meeting veterans.

“A lot of times they think it’s neat that they get to come to see us, but really it’s cool hearing them and listening to their stories,” said Ryan Succop, a kicker for the Chiefs.

“To have the freedoms that we have to do the things that we do, none of this is possible without the people who have served,” said Scott Pioli, the Chiefs General Manager.

But maybe the biggest reason the Chiefs were at the VA hospital was to make sure people never forget about those that gave so much.

“Stuff that they did, they’ll never be forgotten.  World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Korea – they still are living with the injuries they sustained and they will never be forgotten,” said Chiefs punter, Dustin Colquit.

Story reprinted from KCTV 5 news

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation’s Return the Favor campaign supports programs and services that work to ease the burden on America’s active-duty military, veterans and their families.

One key part of the campaign is the Unmet Needs Program. The program assists with basic life needs such as rent, mortgage, utilities, vehicle repair, medical expenses or food/basic assistance. It has helped over 3,000 military families and funds are available to all five branches of the military, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserves. Since 2004, the Unmet Needs Program has provided over $4 million dollars in financial assistance to deserving military families.

One Unmet Needs recipient is Travis Alberhasky. He contracted a disease while serving in Kosovo that caused his bones to deteriorate and die.  As a result, both hips and both shoulders had to be replaced. His battle against the disease and the help the VFW Foundation provided will be showcased in an upcoming episode of “Giving Back”.

“Giving Back”, a nationwide television series, profiles the charities, foundations and companies that are making a difference in the lives of people and the world they live in.  “Giving Back” airs as paid programming on Discovery Channel, Fox Business News Network and the Documentary Channel. For more information go to: www.profilesingivingback.com or check your local listings.

Click here to view the complete Multimedia News Release.

***

“Giving Back” TV “Return the Favor Segment Schedule:
(please verify your local listing)

Sunday, December 18, 2011
1:30 pm ET
Documentary Channel (available to Direct TV & Dish Network subscribers)

Monday, December 19, 2011
8:30 am ET/PT
Discovery Channel (available to all cable & satellite subscribers)

Sunday, December 25, 2011
9:30 am ET
Documentary Channel (available to Direct TV & Dish Network subscribers)

2:00 pm ET
Fox Business News Network (available to many cable & satellite subscribers)

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation salutes VFW Post 6023 in Indiantown, Florida who pressed on with a fundraiser for the VFW Foundation’s Return the Favor campaign, days after their post home was destroyed by a tornado.

Post 6023 recently presented the VFW Foundation with a check for $1,418 to further their mission of supporting active-duty military, veterans, and their families. The fund raising event was held on October 21^st, only 3 days after a tornado ravaged the entire town. The post members could have decided without a post home to cancel the event, however the spirit of the entire VFW family was shown as neighboring posts banded together with Post 6023 and the event went ahead as scheduled.

“This is a tremendous example of the passion our members have for supporting our nation’s heroes and their fellow neighbor,” said VFW Foundation Director John Lowe. “Even after Post 6023 had lost their post home, they remained diligent in their commitment to helping their fellow veteran and their community…we salute all of the members of Post 6023 and the neighboring posts who were there to lend a helping hand.”

The VFW Foundation’s Return the Favor campaign supports programs and services that provide emergency financial assistance for military families, free phone calls for deployed troops, VIP treatment for service members and their families at entertainment events, morale boosting events for military units, and critical services that guide veterans through VA entitlement claims.

Read more about the storm damage in Indiantown…