Holiday Greetings Everyone,
Where did the year(s) go! Ready or not, 2020 is fast approaching. AFSG celebrates its 11th Anniversary! Fast forward, 10 Veterans Fundraising Events later and the AFSG donations will surpass well over $600,000 in donations to Veteran Support Foundations. Just as importantly, is our never ending goal to continue to raise awareness of the needs of Veterans as they continue their healing journeys. It has truly been an honor and privilege to meet and work with so many humble heroes who have given so much to our nation and its freedoms.
Now it is time for you as an AFSG member to help give something back. Becoming a member of the AFSG is more meaningful than your $10 membership fee. It is also a statement that you understand what sacrifices have been made so that you can live your daily lives. It should also mean that you are willing to give some of your personal time to support the AFSG events. Please make it a New Years resolution to donate at least two hours of your personal time in our Volunteer Opportunity list attached above. You may mail your Volunteer Opportunity form to: Armed Forces Support Group, 19753 Remington Dr., Surprise, AZ, 85374 or drop it into our AFSG mailbox slot in cabinet outside SCG library.
Important Announcement
The AFSG 2020 Veterans Fundraiser trifold is ready along with our Donor Letter and Donor Receipt form. This is very important information that we use to recruit new sponsors as well as remind our regular sponsors that it is that time of the year. This is another great way for a Volunteer Opportunity. Just call me at 623-398-5242 or request over our AFSG email: afsginfo@aol.com
Upcoming Events/Opportunities
January 14, 2020 - Veterans Coffee Chat...8 AM, Palos Verde Room, Sonoran Plaza
This is an opportunity to share some time with your fellow Veterans, learn about Veteran Benefits, get updates on SCG Veterans Monument progress and have a free donut and coffee.
Babbos social cancelled
Currently looking for another venue - stay tuned.
January 26, 2020 - Brunch for Ryan Davis
Although the AFSG can only make donations to recognized 501 c 3 Veteran support foundations we, as individual members, can still be personally supportive in other ways.
As a United States Ranger with the 75th Ranger Regiment of 8 years, Ryan has been on 5 deployments - 4 to Afghanistan and one to Syria. He was badly injured on the last Afghanistan deployment from a blast. With a tremendous amount of courage, Ryan and his family are making unbelievable progress.
Ryan’s wife Asia is a family friend of our men of our AFSG members Kendra Frantzve. Kendra and Tom Zmugg are working with Saigon Kitchen to help raise money for Ryan and his family as they adjust to their new normal. As we get more specific information about Menu and costs, we will notify you ASAP. Just wanted to make sure you save the date.
Saigon Kitchen Brunch is January 26th, 2020 11-1 pm
Limited seating,
Menu and cost is TBD.
Looking for items to donate for silent auction.
Any questions can contact Kendra &Tom
623.258.8186 / 623.670.9904
Below is Ryan’s mailing address if you would like to mail him and his family/note a card.
Ryan Davis (Asia & Knox) c/o Mandi afoa
3461 Wheaton Rd., Ft. Sam, Houston,
February 11, 2020 - Membership Meeting
10 AM, Aqua Fria Room, Cimarron Center
This will be a very important and interesting meeting. It will be our final membership meeting of the season just before our Annual Veteran’s Golf Event and we are working with Luke Air Force Base to have an F-35 pilot as our guest speaker. More information to follow, but please mark you calendar for this special event.
Thanks again to Col. (R) Barry MacKean for his presentation on the Blackbird, SR-71 at our last membership meeting in November.
Veterans Reflection Circle Dedication
The City of Surprise Dedicated their Veterans Reflection Circle on Veteran Day in honor of our special friend SGT First Class Brian Scott Mancini. We encourage all our membership to visit this special tribute for our Veterans. It is located behind the Surprise Library by the lake.
**See attached picture of our WW II Veteran and AFSG member Ed Forrester (far right) with Congresswoman Debbie Lesko and two of Ed’s Veteran friends.
Soldiers Best Friend Golf Event
Many AFSG members participated in this years SBF Golf Event. The AFSG was again a Title Sponsor this year.
**Please see attached picture of Dr. John Burnham, SBF Founder, as he presents the AFSG with their sponsor plaque. The AFSG thanks all our members and their friends for participating!
Foundation for Service Dog Support
Christmas Event
**Please see the FSDS attached picture of Board Members, Marty Chorzumpa, Barry Curseaden, and Stan Van Peursem with Veteran Tom and his service dog Charlie.
Tom was one of the first Veterans to be given his service dog Charlie from the AFSG donation. Tom is now an advocate for service dog and their master’s rights and privileges.
"Dan's Corner"
Hints for our Veterans
"When I go into a store or most any business, I ask "do you have a military discount?" If yes then I show my military card.
My card is DD form 2765 and on top of my card printed is "Department of Defense/Uniformed Services"
If you want a military card you go to Veteran's Affairs office with your form DD214 which show your service in the military etc.
If you don't have a DD214 you can go on line by putting in VA.GOV and get the forms that you need.
Dan
In The News
Please read the article in the Surprise Daily on our AFSG Member Michael Wilton, see attached (3 sections)
Also in the news, November Grand Lifestyles, page 22,new member Phil Hanson’s amazing story. Phil is a resident of the Colonnade and member of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.
CLICK HERE TO READ STORY ON PDF
Please keep our military families in your thoughts and prayers and wherever you may travel or stay over the holidays, the AFSG Board wishes you and your family the Happiest of Holiday Season and a Healthiest of a New Year!
Barry Curseaden, Founder/Pres.
SCG Armed Forces Support Group
afsginfo@aol.com
