In the November 2014 issue of FSM a gentleman wrote in to FSM asking readers if they could spare a car or military vehicle kits for returning vets with various conditions. As an American I jumped at the opportunity to help the vets of our military. So I sent 4 kits and 2 starter paint sets. I received a letter yesterday from a young man who served in the USMC and saw 3 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan…he just wanted to introduce himself and thanked me for taking the time to send him and his fellow vets the models.
Fellow modelers…I challange each of the members of the forums to mail just one kit…it does not have to be expensive…The mailing information is below
United States Veterans Initiative
1505 6th Street
March Air Reserve Base, CA. 92518
Thanks Jeff;
Just FYI there is a “s” after Veteran, for those doing a google search.
They sound like a NGO thats funded by the VA to provide housing for homeless vets, and community centers.
I’ll take you up on this.
Great…I should have proof read LOL. Getting old has been rough on the eyes
Outstanding post, Jeff, thank you for thinking of these vet’s that have given so much. My home is 75 miles from a VA hospital, I have donated about 30 small kits to them, along with paints, X-acto tools, files, etc. All were much appreciated and well used, but what is even more beneficial to them is some help in getting started in the hobby, some may have never tried it before.
Showing them the basic skills, like preparation, cutting, filing, correcting fit, gluing and painting is also most helpful. Then, some of these vets are disabled to the point that they cannot physically do it all for themselves, some even have brain damage issues, that limit their cognitive abilities to complete a build entirely on their own.
When I go to visit I take along my airbrush and portable compressor with tank, then together we finish projects, with me helping as little as possible. We do that only in summer with good weather, so we can paint outside and not bother anyone with paint odors. I hope some day they will have space for hobby activities at all VA facilities, but that’s not the case as yet.
Model building is more than just a hobby to many of these young folks, I sense it’s a great temporary release from the boredom and frustrations they experience, due to these life changing injuries. Often they will build something together, as a joint effort.
Good for you, Jeff, thanks for the thought and work.
Patrick
Thank you Patrick, and that is great that you are able to spend time with these young men and women that have served our country. Since reading the article I approached the Store Manager of my local Hobby Lobby and she normally gives me 30 to 40 percent off the products I buy to send these vets. I have mailed a package a month containing kits, paint, hand tools, sanding sticks, glue and misc. items. My next shipment I am providing modelling “How to Books”. Both my son and daughter served, I am blessed they both came home alive and healthy. Thank you again…and I’ll see you at the workbench.