DAV Meeting Jan. 3, 2025

The (DAV) disabled American Veterans chapter met on Jan. 3 and discussed their activities in 2024.
Three of the members went to Springfield to earn their 3 year certificate as service officers.  These members can show any veteran what they need to do to get the benefits they have earned.
 In early May we gave $500 towards the picnic at the Illinois Veterans home.  Six of our members also helped at the cupcake and ice cream section, as well as running the beverage part.  This is always memorable to both us and the Veterans.
Over the Memorial Day holidays, we had our first fundraiser, with the passing out of our (forget-me-not) flowers.  Then in November, we had our second fundraiser with the flowers.
For the first time this year, we set up a booth at the Canton Fun run to pass out info on the benefits that our Vets earned.
  We got enough donations this year to donate close to $2,000 to the Veterans Home, as well as providing Christmas baskets to 20 Canton, Mo. Veterans.  We also helped a Missouri Veteran get a new ramp after his was ruined in a storm.  
We also decided to honor the men that volunteer their time, making sure that every area veteran has transportation to the IOWA City VA hospital, when they need it.
This coming year we are checking on getting involved with the Wreaths Across America, the Tri state Lady Vets plan on having a “special” holiday yard sale, and donating the profits to us.  We will of course also be taking donations for our flowers on the 2 holidays.
We are a small group of about 15 members, but we also have 5 or 6 great Volunteers.  We meet at the Illinois Veterans Home (in the stone bldg.) on the first Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. All Vets are welcome to attend and see what we are all about.