Tampa Bay Chapter, FloridaAGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay / VAVS CDCE Rep FH dinner
Submitted by Toni Gross AGSM, Inc., Tampa Bay VAVS CDCE Chairman
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In 2017, I attended my first Westgate Foundation Military Appreciation Weekend. I was invited during my first week as the Department President of FL-PR, and it marked my first official opportunity to build relationships outside my local chapter. Every year, the Westgate Foundation provides vacations to eligible active-duty military members, veterans, and Gold Star families. These families enjoy a three-day, two-night, stress-free weekend filled with family-friendly activities, live music, and patriotic displays at the Westgate property in Kissimmee, Florida. Additionally, various veteran service organizations, including American Gold Star Mothers, set up tables for a one-day resource fair. Many of these organizations focus on managing PTSD through counseling, equine therapy, and the use of service dogs. Seven years later, that initial opportunity has allowed me to connect with numerous individuals from various veteran service organizations. They share a common vision and a commitment to the same goals as AGSM, Inc. If you attended our 2021 national convention in West Palm Beach, you may remember that the Westgate Foundation was a sponsor. Since then, the Foundation has generously donated to the Department of FL-PR. With these donations, we established our own Chapter Grants for veteran service projects, similar to our National Chapter Grant program, and named it the Georgie Carter-Krell Grant. This past weekend, my Gold Star sisters, Lorrie Fleming and Sandy Miller, managed the resource table, after which we attended the concert. It was during this event that we received a generous $10,000 donation! Just imagine how many veterans we can support with that funding!  
Annette M Kirk
National 1st Vice President American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Proud Gold Star Mother of PFC Paul O Cuzzupe II, US Army 12/2/86 - 8/8/10 “Standing in the Gap” Gardenia Chapter, North CarolinaMembers from the Gardenia Chapter partnered with their local Blue Star Moms Chapter, Triangle Blue Star Moms - NC-17, to fundraise for their chapters at Apex Tuning's Toys for Tots Toy drive and car show.  BSM Jodi, BSM Stephaine, BSM Christine, GSM Nichole, GSM Courtney, BSM Lynn and BSM Danielle. Veterans Last Patrol: Operation Holiday Salute Three years ago, American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., teamed up with Veteran’s Last Patrol for Operation Holiday Salute. Each year we have seen the number of cards collected grow. For the 2024 year, we are excited to share that we collected 26,680 holiday cards to be delivered to our nation’s Heroes who are currently in hospice care. We received cards from 37 different states! 
Members of the AGSM National Board spent the day sorting and counting the cards during their visit to Washington, DC for the Veterans Day weekend.
Some of our favorite cards were cards sent to us from children and the handmade cards sent to us from schools across the country.
After all cards had been received, sorted and counted, National President, Patti Elliott and National IT Chair, Nichole Chilton, delivered the cards to VLP Headquarters in Spartanburg, SC.
 VLP’s extensive network of volunteers across the country helps put these notes of appreciation and encouragement in their hands. To find out how you can assist in the distribution of cards, please visit VLP’s website: Welcome | Veteran's Last Patrol | USA
Thank you for helping us complete another successful collection campaign! We could not do this without you!! WNY South Buffalo Chapter
Maryland Chapter The National Capital Chefs Association (NCCA) sponsored a charity golf tournament once again at the Crofton Country Club in Crofton, Maryland. The Warrior Events organization was the benefactor of the charity tournament. Mr. John O’Leary, Founder/ Chief Motivational Officer and Mr. Bob Saunders, Chief Caring Officer, for the Warrior Events organization invited Maryland Chapter Gold Star Mothers to volunteer. Janice Chance, Stephanie White and Donna Robinson represented the MD Chapter. Gold Star Spouse Kathy Thorp also joined the Warrior Events leaders Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Saunders, Mark Humphries, Mr. Greg Sharpe, Chairman NCCA and other volunteers. The moms and Kathy assisted with preparing swag bags, greeting and checking in golfers and selling raffle tickets. After Mr. Humphries thanked the golfers for their support and provided information about the Warrior Events Organization, Chaplain Janice Chance briefly shared about the Gold Star Mothers organization, the service of the MD Chapter and about her hero. Donna, Stephanie and Kathy were also given the opportunity to share about their hero. Janice said a prayer prior to the golfers being given the signal to start the tournament. There were approximately 125 golfers who participated in the tournament. It was another successful tournament.
In Veterans Affairs Secretary, Denis McDonough's speech on October 29th, he shares Hampton Roads Chapter President, Angela Bell and her son, Sean Bell's story.
Don't have time to watch the full 1 hour video? Skip to 13:00 and watch until 19:00 Central Arizona Chapter The American Gold Star Mothers from the Central Arizona Chapter were at the Hope Fest Prescott, AZ (a Christian celebration/outreach) on September 14, 2024, with a table to collect donations for the Wreaths Across America for our Prescott National Cemetery in Prescott, AZ. Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter
 Blue Star Moms with Angela Bell, Chapter President 
This year, because of health challenges, he asked Mrs. Bilbrey to step in and host the ceremony as a GSM. Mr. Raftis and Mrs. Bilbrey worked to make changes to the ceremony to bridge the gap to the new generations. It is these generations that will be carrying on our mission of never forgetting the fallen. The keynote given focused on the traditions of Memorial Day and of other military traditions such as the meaning of the gun volley and taps. Mrs. Bilbrey is the GSM of Spc. Charles Bilbrey, Jr from Owego, NY who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2007  |
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