Mission Monday

Gardenia Chapter, North Carolina

Members 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.

Apex Tuning is owned by Gold Star Father and associate member Kevin Chilton, husband to Nichole Chilton, AGSM National IT Chair.  For the last 10 years, the shop has hosted a car show and toy drive to give back to their community.  This year, to keep in alinement with their beliefs and mission they decided to invite Gold Star and Blue Star moms to provide lunch at the event.  The chapters chose to provide hotdogs with all the fixings to attendees of the event for free.  Attendees were encourage to make a donation to the chapters to assist with their efforts of giving back to the veteran community.  In total, they raised $835 to split between the two chapters!  Both chapters have been invited back to next years event.

Submitted by Nichole Chilton
Secretary for Gardenia Chapter and AGSM National IT Chair

Toys donated at the Apex Tuning Toys for Tots Car Show.

More Toys donated at the Apex Tuning Toys for Tots Car show.

GSM Courtney speaking with attendees while GSD Kevin Chilton fixes his hotdog.

BSMs and GSM feeding some of the attendees.

Photo of all the attendees of the event.

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Tampa Bay Chapter, Florida

The first Wednesday of December for the past 10 years, the kitchen of the Fisher House at James Haley VA hospital becomes a baking and cooking factory, thanks to the VAVS Representatives and Deputy Representatives who volunteer there.

During this time, the families residing at the Fisher House are blessed with an abundance of cookies, as seen in this photo in which VAVS Deputy Representative Lisa McKitty , (left) is assisting 1st VP Annette Kirk and VAVS/CDCE Chief Staff, Gerardo Navaro, decide which cookies to pack....decisions, decisions. 

Community partners such as Cindy Bassano of "Bassano Cheesecake" donate delectable delights to the festive table. Cindy has been donating cheesecakes for 5 years now. Thank you!

AGSM, Inc. Department of FL-PR is uniquely equipped to serve the  state's Fisher Houses, as AGSM, Inc. has VAVS and occasional volunteers serving at 5 of the 7 Florida Fisher Houses. A huge thank you to each of the VAVS Reps and Deputy Reps and occasional volunteers who do this.

Our sights are on volunteering at the remaining 2 Fisher Houses.... which means we will have a FULL HOUSE, so to speak!

Submitted by Toni Gross
AGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay
VAVS Chairman