by Joyce Thornton
As is customary, BVAA held its annual national meetings and installed its national officers at the BVA 61st National Convention. Dora Gabe, Joan Langworthy, and Sandy Krasnodemski will continue as the President, Vice President, and Secretary, respectively, of the organization. Janice Bianculli of South Chatham, Massachusetts, was elected as the new National Treasurer. I have the privilege of continuing to serve as the Auxiliary Reporter.
The Auxiliary was once again able to provide scholarships for the upcoming school year to needy spouses and children of blinded veterans throughout the country. The successful silent auctions held at BVA national conventions are one of the main sources of scholarship funds. Nevertheless, a report presented this year by Pat Taylor of Jacksonville, Florida, revealed that additional funding sources might be necessary if scholarships, as presently constituted, are to continue beyond 2009. Several suggestions were given and a committee was appointed to evaluate the problem and potential solutions.
Two charters were presented to two BVAA regional groups, Minnesota and Florida. Congratulations to these two regional groups. Their support and commitment to the cause of blinded veterans is greatly appreciated.
Emerging from our meetings this year is the recurring theme of reaching out to lonely veterans who could use a helping hand. The hand could take the form of a simple phone call, an offer to take the veteran for a haircut or to the store, or perhaps even the sharing of a meal. So many older veterans are sitting in their homes and apartments without much contact from the outside world. Let us not forget them.
Nancy Geden, who is the vice president of my regional group down here in Florida, has provided an excellent model of what can be done when an Auxiliary member is thoughtful and creative. Nancy has started a food pantry in her own home to assist veterans in need. Each week she and her husband, Bill, load up their car and deliver cases of food to a location that is accessible to needy veterans. Nancy is a shining example of one who acts. She and Bill demonstrate BVAA’s commitment to blinded veterans.
Another model of service to blinded veterans is Margarine Beaman. Most BVA and BVAA members view her in her national convention role as Volunteer Coordinator, but she is also one of our very valiant Auxiliary members. During Saturday evening’s convention Awards Banquet, Dora presented Margarine with a lovely desk plaque made of glass. The plaque was inscribed with Margarine’s name.
As we all know, Margarine keeps things running smoothly wherever she is. What’s most amazing is that Margarine always seems to be simultaneously helping dozens of different people in dozens of different places. This Austin, Texas, native runs a business and devotes her energies to several other organizations, but at each of our conventions she still happily reaches out to all BVA members, their families, and their friends.
More support will be needed as blinded veterans come home from Iraq, and I earnestly plead with each one of us, our many members, to be up to the challenge of meeting that need. I urge all of us to reach out, as Nancy and Margarine have done exceptionally well, to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for all of us.
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