OPERATION HELPING HAND

 

 

                                                         Please go back to Chapter Announcements for information on the upcoming dinner at the SCI Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital has had a marked increase in the number of wounded and injured active duty members referred for treatment.  Their Spinal Cord Injury and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Units have treated some of the most severely injured service members who have been in combat in these operations. 

   

 As you can imagine, the family members of the wounded want to be with their loved ones during this critical time of treatment.  The average stay for the injured is 45 days.  Many of the families travel from all over the country and must provide for themselves while staying here in the Tampa Bay area.    

 

Operation Helping Hand, an initiative of the Tampa Chapter of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), has been organized to help the families of the wounded and injured during their stay in Tampa Bay.  Assistance from the public and business community is definitely needed to help these families.  Following is a short list of items that are needed: 

• Rental or leased cars

• Bus or taxi fare coupons

• Cell phones or phone cards 

• Gasoline coupons

• Amusement park, movie, dinner tickets

• Restaurant or food market gift certificates

• Any comfort or recreation items that will make their stay here in Tampa more enjoyable, or checks for the purchase of needed items

 Your support in this very worthwhile operation will definitely help the wounded or injured service member and their families.  Help us to show them that the Tampa Bay Community appreciates the sacrifices that they have made for their country, and for you and me.

Checks may be made payable to MOAA Operation Helping Hand

Mail to:

MOAA Operation Helping Hand ● PO Box 6383 ● MacDill AFB Fl, 33608-0383. 

       For in-kind contributions, contact Robert Silah, Chairman of Operation Helping Hand at (813) 963-1854, or Robert Sawallesh, Vice Chairman at (813) 654-3900. 

         Robert J. Silah - Chairman          Robert F. Sawallesh - Vice Chairman                     

CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO SEE THE LATEST OpHH BROCHURE

 

                CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW TO ENLARGE IT;

THEN HIT YOUR BACK ARROW TO RETURN.

Photos courtesy of CWO Tom South, USA

 

Seated:  Capt Silah, USN President; LTC Sawellesh, USA Vice Pres OpHH

L to R Lt. Col. Siegman; CDR Ewanowski; CWO South, USA

Attendees at the James A. Haley VA Hosp Volunteer Appreciation luncheon representing the Operation Helping Hand (MOAA) project 14 April 2008

 

USAA DONATES $20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

  **** Operation Helping Hand Dinner celebrating our fourth anniversary!!***

 

                            

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO OUR MAY 2008 MONTHLY DINNER WITH THE WOUNDED AND INJURED AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE OPERATION HELPING HAND COMMITTEE!!  

 

This is a very special event, celebrating four years of service and support to those who are so deserving.

 Our dinner for this month honoring our active duty wounded /injured and their families will be held:

              6:00 PM Thursday 15 May 2008   

         Location: At the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Building Dining Area, Tampa VA Hospital (See directions below)

        As we always do, we will acknowledge and honor the wounded/injured active duty patients, their families, and their children, and we will present them with gifts and flowers.

       Dinner will be sponsored by USAA,  and our caterer  will provide entree and side dishes. 

        Desserts:

                Pies, provided by Mr. Mike Martin of Mike's Pies. 

                Ice cream desserts by Mr. Kerry King of Blue Bell Ice Cream.

        If you care to bring a dessert to share, other than pies, it would be most appreciated.

 

 Notes:

            1)  There is no charge for the dinner.

             2)  Again this month, I expect well over 250 to attend. Please plan to come    early and enjoy the evening and meeting our wounded/injured heroes and their families.

             3)  Also, Note that this announcement is not for publication in daily and weekly newspapers. However, it may be published in daily military bulletins 

             4)  NO RSVP is required, unless you plan to bring a large group (over four).

       For those who need directions to the James A. Haley VA Hospital, SCI Building:

       From 275, exit at Fletcher.  Go Fletcher east about one mile to Livingston.  There is a stop light there.  Turn right on Livingston and proceed to the end of Livingston,.where there is another stop light.  Go straight thru the light into the VA Hospital grounds, and continue on winding road, with speed bumps, about a half mile. Look for sign on left "SCI" with an arrow going left. That's the SCI Building parking lot.  The building is a one story, newer building with an oval drive in front.  Park, and enter the SCI lobby; proceed straight ahead down a long corridor, and go left at the end of corridor.  The SCI Dining Room is on the left.
       When you leave, do not go back to Livingston.  The VA Hospital gate will be locked.  Leave the SCI parking area, and turn left, past the Fisher House, past the main hospital onto Bruce B Downs.  If you want to go back to Fletcher, turn left on Bruce B Downs to Fletcher, or turn right to Fowler.

       Any questions?  Let me know.
       
       We hope you'll join us to honor and thank those who gave so much, and their families! 

 

 

Bob Silah, Chairman, Operation Helping Hand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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