MOPHA DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

National President

Cheryl Perez

The best part of being National President is communicating with members I wouldn’t normally have the chance to. I am so proud to be part of this organization with so many amazing members doing so much to help veterans and their families. I talk everyday with members that give of their time, energy and money to help their local veteran community that no one ever hears about. Thank you, Auxiliary members, for all you do, known and unknown, for our Veterans and their families!

I hope many of you had a chance to participate in Wreaths Across America this past weekend. It's a beautiful way to remember our Veterans as you take a second after laying the wreath to say their name. If a cemetery near you has a Veteran's section and aren't participating, it's a good project to take on. I went this year to a non VA cemetery participating in the program for the first time because an 11 year old Girl Scout wanted to honor and remember her KIA Uncle buried there. Her Troop took charge of making it happen, raised funds and did the promotion. There were over 400 people at the wreath laying ceremony to remember our Veterans.

As noted above, there is no Zoom meeting this month, but next month's meeting will have a guest speaker. More details in the next General Orders.

Rebate checks will be sent out soon to Units and Departments that submitted all required documents. They are mailed to the Secretary at the address on the Installation Report. If you have questions or concern about the Secretary's address, please contact me before December 20 ^th .

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year!

National Senior Vice President

Amanda Flener

As we approach the end of the year, I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and Best of Holidays this season as we approach the New Year.

Think about all the events that you and your Unit have had the opportunity to participate in lately? Between Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and now Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years, there are a host of activities available to participate in or just attend. Have you thought about using some of those to network with other potential members or civic organizations? If you haven't already utilized community events and activities to wear your Purple and share about the MOPHA, think about these upcoming opportunities for 2020. Find a Lion's Club, an Kawana's Club, a Ladies Fellowship Group to share at. Maybe just tell a few veteran's "Thank You for your Service" when you see their cap or tag. Sometimes our greatest connections can come from simple conversations. Other times, our best supporters can come from other organizations that we can network with. I challenge you to reach out to a new potential member this next month. Connect with someone in our organization who you've lost contact, and make a new networking connection with an additional group to share the MOPHA with. Tell them what you've been doing, share your New Year goals. Together we can achieve a great 2020.

National Junior Outreach Chair

Rachel Perez

Hi Junior Members ! Classes are over for the semester and you’re on winter break (finally!) you might find yourself with some free time and looking for something to do. It’s the perfect time to bring some Holiday cheer to your local veteran and military community. I have included a couple of ideas below to get you started to think about things you can do.

Donate to a Veterans Shelter/ VA Homeless Programs

Winter is the perfect time to donate blankets, towels, coats, socks, toiletries and other items to a veteran’s shelter. You can gather up items from your home, family and neighbors.

Make Holiday Cards

Making hand-made holiday cards to give to your veteran’s neighbors, in retirement homes or military families is like giving a warm hug. Whether you make one card or make twenty cards, veterans or military families would be so happy to receive a heartfelt and genuine card. Even better, deliver the cards in-person to a local Veterans’ Home or Fisher House.

Deliver Homemade Christmas Cookies to Neighbors

My friends and I used to make Christmas cookies and bring them to our Veteran neighbors and families. They looked forward to receiving them every year. Making cookies is a fun day (except the cleanup isn’t so fun) and everyone gets to enjoy them.

Happy Holidays to everyone and if you do something for Veterans over the break, send me a picture!

National Chaplain

Barbara Waller

A Savior is Born… For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ The Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.

Luke 2:11-12

Each time I read that passage of scripture I stop to ask myself what have I done today to be someone’s savior. We become so busy during the holidays shopping for gifts, cooking, cleaning, and attending holiday parties that at times we fail to remember the real meaning of Christmas. We certainly are not Jesus who came to save all of mankind, but we as Christians should act Christ like in our daily lives. Always trying to remember that there are many in our communities that need a human savior. Sometimes it’s in the form of just a touch, a smile, or a small conversation. You will be surprised what a bit of kindness can do for someone. I challenge each of us to take the time to be a savior to someone during this holiday season and each day during the coming year.

Remember all Patriots wherever they may be, also remember their families and loved ones, especially the ones who will have an empty chair at their table. May God continue to Bless each of you always surrounding you with his Angels.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each of you!!

ONLINE REPORTING FORM

FOR DECEASED MEMBERS

Click the link below to access the online form, fill it in, hit submit and your deceased member report is filed to the National Chaplain and the National Membership Officer.

Please Note: The Deceased Member Online Form has received positive feedback and is now the preferred method for reporting member's death. Please use the online form rather than emailing or mailing in notices.

Click Here To Submit Deceased Member Form Online

Regions

News & Events

DECEMBER'S SPOTLIGHT:

REGION V

Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana,

New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Doris Williams, Region V President

The Power of Giving …During the holiday season, everyone is talking about giving to others. I want to talk about giving 356 days of the year, not just during the holidays when its expected.

As military affiliated, we should understand what it is to sacrifice for the good of others. True giving comes from the same place inside of us as our deepest happiness. The art of giving is to give from the heart without any expectation. A gift is that is enjoyed twice, first by the giver who revels in the pleasure of giving something special and then also enjoyed by the person or people who receive the gift. Giving of one’s time, energy and small acts of kindness is more important than the monetary items provided although money does help provide for those in need. The things that can’t be seen are very real and necessary to the mental and physical well-being of our veterans and family members.

So, let’s remember that the act of giving does not have to be an exchange of presents at Christmas time. We can treat every person as someone who you can give a gift to. Everyone has something of value to give to another person. It could be a kind word, a smile, a show of appreciation, sharing some special knowledge or giving a helping hand or special support during a difficult emotional time. These things don’t cost a dime, just some time. As the great Muhammad Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

To everyone, I say, “Enjoy your holidays, but don’t forget to share with each other’’. I look forward to the New Year and interacting with all of you.

Units, Departments & Members

News & Events

CA Unit 106 helped decorate the Christmas tree at the VA Medical Center in Fresno, CA. Pictured are Lydia Lowe and Gina Cantu.

Lincoln, NE Unit 200 adopted 25 Veterans at a local retirement home. They made patriotic centerpieces to be placed on the door display shelves of their veterans along with Holiday cards signed by all members in the Unit. Pictured are: Mary Lou Haynes, Denise Irwin, Mary Hansen, Karen Allsman and not seen, Linda Varejcka taking the photo.

The unit also participated in the holiday giving tree at the Lincoln VA, granting wishes of Veterans needing help making the season a good one.

Texas Unit 1876 participated in the Copperas Cove Veteran’s Day Parade. Pictured is Unit President, Doris Williams, with Gold Star family member, Ms. Warner.

Fisher House director, John Footman, Extraco Bank Manager, Earl Williams, Doris Williams, Unit 1876 President and Tracey Greene-Brown at Fisher House fundraiser.