VFP Chapter Actions 2008
VFP CHAPTER 132 - CORVALLIS, OR - CONNECTING WITH HOMELESS VETERANS
December 12, 2008
As I write this, our chapter is volunteering for a week of staffing at
the Corvallis, Oregon Men’s Homeless Shelter. Two of our members staff
the welcome desk from 7-11 pm and another sleeps over from 11pm to 7am.
This is the third year the Corvallis Homeless Coalition, a group of
church and community organizations, have staffed a men’s shelter during
the months of November through March and the third year VFP has stepped
up to help. There is no permanent shelter in Corvallis even though the
homeless population has been conservatively estimated at over 200. The
winter shelter has historically hosted 15-45 men per night.
This year no downtown location (near soup kitchens and other services)
was available to house the shelter, so a church on the edge of town
offered its space. Ten volunteers (including two of our VFP members)
got qualified to drive the local “Dial-a-Bus” vans which supplement
local bus service for morning and evening runs to and from the shelter.
Not only are we gratified to help the homeless guys find a warm,
dry place to sleep, but we also have occasion to talk with homeless
veterans.
About one in four homeless persons are veterans, as a national
average. The first time I drove the bus, I found that four of the eight
aboard that night were vets. Then, on a recent night at the shelter, I
had a long discussion with an Iraq war vet who suffers from PTSD, had
bounced around several VA facilities, and was still confused about some
benefits and a pending disability claim. I gave him contact information
for our county veteran’s services officer, my own contact information,
and promised to help find information and solutions.
So these volunteering opportunities have more to offer than just
doing a good deed. In the next several years, the homeless veteran
population is bound to increase at a faster rate than the ‘civilian’
homeless population due to high numbers of young unemployed and often
disabled vets and inadequate VA funding for treatment and transition
assistance. I would encourage all chapters to find a shelter or soup
kitchen to lend a hand to our homeless veterans.
Bart Bolger
VFP Chapter 132, Corvallis, OR
Other resources:
- When I Came Home the documentary about homeless veterans (with a brief appearance by our good friend, the late Dave Cline in the trailer) at: National Coalition for Homeless Veteran:
- VA’s Homeless Veterans webpage
VETERANS FOR PEACE REMEMBERS ARMISTICE DAY
November 12, 2008
Over 40 VFP Chapters took part in remembering Armistice / Veterans Day. Read their updates and see their photos.
RAISE HELL FOR MOLLY IVINS
October 27, 2008
Help organize an action in you home town! We are just regular folks with jobs and all of life's pressures, but we feel a need to speak out and do what we can. Please join our Raise Hell campaign using every peaceful means including the Internet, phone and fax to let the LOCAL office of your Congressional Representative know - The next monthly protest is scheduled for THE FOLLOWING FRIDAYS IN OCTOBER 2008: October 24th and October 31st.
If you cannot attend a physical protest, please WRITE, TELEPHONE,
FAX and EMAIL your LOCAL Congressional Representative's office on that
day!
YOKO ONO DONATES $10,000 TO VFP CHAPTER 093
October 20, 2008
The
south central Michigan chapter of Veterans For Peace decided
last spring to have a fund raiser for their Peace Studies Scholarship Fund. Bob
Krzewinski, the Chapter Secretary, proposed a music concert with John Lennon as
the theme. It would be on or near John Lennon's birth date.
Bob asked
for volunteers and he and Bill Shea began to turn the concept into reality. Bob
contacted the agent for Yoko and asked permission to use John's name for the
concert. Approval was received. Weeks passed and the coordination continued.
Then, in early September, without fanfare, a nondescript envelope was
delivered to Bob. It contained a $10,000.00 check from Yoko Ono. Bob, a
commercial airline pilot, said "I admit I have not had very many "Oh my God!"
surprise moments lately, but I had one that morning".
One of the missions
of Veterans For Peace is to abolish war as an instrument of national policy.
Several years ago the local Chapter decided that one way to accomplish this
mission is via education and the establishment of a scholarship program. The
US has many military colleges and war
colleges, but few incentives to study peace. Bill Shea, Ph.D., put together an
application process and contacted colleges and universities in the state. Since
2005, the Chapter has awarded 7 scholarships. Bill said, "With the donation from
Yoko we can help more students focus on nonviolent conflict resolution and help
bring John Lennon's vision --"Imagine all the people living life in peace"- into
reality."
"Imagine - A John Lennon Birthday Benefit Concert" will be held
Friday, Oct. 10th, at 8 PM at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. Admission is
$10.00. All funds will be used for the peace scholarships. Many local musicians
have volunteered their time to make this event a magnificent happening for
peace.
For more information on the concert and to donate to the Peace
Scholarship Fund see VFP93.org and/or contact Arnold Stieber, Chapter Coordinator, at
734-475-0740.
FILM ABOUT IRAQ WAR SHOWN AT PALM SPRING HIGH SCHOOL
October 13, 2008
VFP facilitated the screening of "ARLINGTON WEST" film Friday at Palm Springs High School. The film has interviews with people discussing the sorrow and cost in human terms of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Speakers include family members and friends of our fallen soldiers. Also active duty military members and veterans. The film location is the memorial display of over 4,000 crosses to honor our war dead at the Santa Monica pier every Sunday. In October 2006 San Diego VFP chapter and Jon Castro Chapter 19 displayed Arlington West in Palm Springs. Film producers Peter Dudar and Sally Marr of Los Angeles presented their movie and led a discussion with high school seniors. Approximately 90 students in two social studies class periods were very attentive to the film and gave applause after the 27 minute presentation.
The film has Spanish subtitles. Gary Bingham is the school teacher that invited the film to his classroom after being contacted by Tom Swann. He said that he invited the ROTC to attend the film presentation and offer their comments but he did not receive a response from March Air Force Base. Before the film was shown Peter and Sally asked the students if they knew how many military members and Iraq civilians have died in the war. No students had the correct answer. At the conclusion of the program Peter and Sally gave a DVD copy of the film to each student. The students answered a written survey about their feelings of the film. Tom Swann met with the school principal to suggest the film be shown to more students in a school assembly. Corla Coles was also on the program as a guest speaker. She is a very active member of Code Pink. She shared that her granddaughter has a good friend who is an Iraq War veteran with PTSD. She talked about some of the problems this veteran has faced because of the trauma he saw in Iraq. She brought an artificial leg prosthesis so the students could see how a disabled veteran may have to live after the war. Tracy Turner and Doug Washburn joined Tom in going to the school. Here is a web link so you can watch the film: http://www.arlingtonwestfilm.com/
From Jon Castro Chapter 19, Riverside / San Bernardino Cty - CA > read more
SAMANTHA SMITH CHAPTER 45 RECEIVES AWARD
October 3, 2008
Salem State College Peace Institute recently awarded Chapter 45 in Ipswich, MA the first Champion of Peace Award.
"The program included musical arrangements by student Sara Lopez, followed by political science Professor Rich Levy's praise for the local chapter's accomplishments ranging from helping to launch two nationwide peace groups — Military Families Speak Out and Iraq Vets Against the War; establishing a K-12 peace poetry contest in North Shore schools; supporting ongoing vigils, speeches in schools, and by returning Iraq vets; and collaborating with other veterans and activists in several countries to promote peace and social justice."
"Professor Benne called me to the stage, as other chapter members stood in front, to receive an award plaque. Its inscription reads: "Salem State College Peace Institute Honors Veterans for Peace Samantha Smith Chapter 45. Your Courage and Commitment To Peace and Justice Offer a Noble Vision For All Humanity. Salem State College, International Day of Peace, September 21, 2008."
"Benne praised our group for its antiwar activities over the years. All members were treated to a special surprise supplied by my daughter, Robin, who had flown in a beautiful orchid lei for each veteran, adding a warm glow to the ceremony."
Written by Veteran Member Paul Brailsford
WELCOME CHAPTER 156 - ROGUE VALLEY
September 26, 2008
At the 2008 Convnention, the Board approved VFP's newest chapter: Rogue Valley, OR - Chapter 156! Read an email from chapter contact Hal Anthony below.
The presence of a VFP chapter in our two counties is already a welcome addition to the interdependent peace workers and organizations in Rogue Valley. Peace groups here have been working hard for many years to offset the fundamentalist neoconservatism of this region.
Fellow VFP have had a hand in scores of actions here in Rogue Valley alongside local groups such as Citizens for Peace and Justice (CPJ), Jobs with Justice (SOJwJ), Applegate Citizens for Political Change (ACPC), Social Justice Alliance, Students for Truth, Universalist Unitarians, Methodists and Christian Scientists, and Peace House. We have also worked and campaigned with many other groups and organizations throughout Oregon and the U.S.
Congratulations to the Rogue Valley Veterans for Peace #156 members. I am exceedingly proud of them, and of all the individuals who make up the peace community in Jackson and Josephine counties. There are hundreds of people here deserving credit for their good works, and they are all heroes.
Veterans hit the Streets for Million Doors for Peace
September 16, 2008
As veterans, your voice is necessary to spread the message of peace and justice to the doors of Americans this Saturday. Million Doors for Peace is a cross-organizational group of people including MoveOn, CodePink, TrueMajority, United for Peace and Justice, and many others who will be stomping the streets of America this Saturday to knock on 1 million doors! This is the perfect opportunity as veterans to use our voice for justice!
CHAPTERS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING:
Chapter 132 - Corvallis, OR
Contact: Leah Bolger, leahbolger@comcast.net
Chapter 027 - Minneapolis, MN
Contact: Chante Wolf, vfpchapter27@gmail.com
Chapter 032 - Miami, FL
Contact: Orlando Collado, orbisint@bellsouth.net
Chapter 065 - Wyoming
Contact: Nancy, sindynan@juno.com
Chapter 016 - District of Columbia
Contact: Tony Teolis, vfpdc@vfpdc.org
Chapter 054 - Santa Barbara, CA
Contact: Lane Anderson, andersonlane47@yahoo.com
VFP Chapter 71, Sonoma, Participates in Rose Parade
September 12, 2008
May 17th, Chapter 71 of Veterans for Peace marched in the 114th annual Rose Parade in Santa Rosa California. We were led by Linus Lancaster on bagpipes, followed by our banners and a replica of the first page of US Constitution: We, The People. Last year, other veterans' groups in Santa Rosa tried to have us removed from the Rose Parade. We negotiated with the parade organizers, and we marched near the end of the parade. This year, we marched in the same division as the other veterans groups, even though other veterans still did not want to march with us. We are dealing with the same hostilities that other VFP chapters face.
Photo by Russell Thompson.
> Chapter 071 Sonoma County WebsiteVFP CHAPTER 31 PARTICIPATES IN LABOR DAY PARADE
September 10, 2008
VFP Chapter 31 is the only non-union unit in the annual Labor Day Parade -- a legacy of our beloved founder, President Dave Neifeld, a strong Philly union man. We had a modest turnout of VFP members and were #21 in the march. As always, it was a good occasion to meet people and talk politics. We hope to focus more on unions and recruit new members from among the many union veterans in the march.
Take Action Against Military Recruitment at Milwaukee's Summerfest
June 30, 2008
The military has a clear and dangerous presence at Milwaukee's Summerfest (June 26 - July 6, 2008). One exhibit is especially offensive: kids as young as 13 years old can aim automatic weapons from atop a humvee at a large screen to virtually kill people.
UPDATE: Summerfest office was so flooded with calls objecting to the recruiters tactics that they they made them raise the minimum age to 18 and stop giving out the game DVD's. We will continue to hound them to shut this completly down, but it was gratifying to get some immediate results. Thank you to everyone who made phone calls!
We do not want to desensitize our youth to the violence of "war," nor cultivate the twisted reality that our aggression in the Middle East is "war," when the truth is that the overwhelmingly casualties are innocent civilians. The setting for this bloodshed is a residential area with "targets" of uncertain identity moving through the streets. This aggrandizement of violence and glorification of our illegal invasions abroad is xenophobic, profane, and undermines the basic values we strive to live by in America.
This Army atrocity is located next to a rock stage as it targets youth; while they ask for an ID to prove age 13 or older, they willingly accept a child's word and collect their name, age, address, etc.; no doubt for future recruitment.
Summerfest representative Dan Minahan barks that the festival is a place to "forget about the war" where one can "enjoy real high entertainment value." War is NOT a game, and this exhibit needs to be shut down immediately.
Please call the Summerfest administrative office and demand that it be shut down: 414-273-2680. (When I called, the person filled out a form with my concerns; I left my name & ZIP code; I did not give my phone #.)
Chapter 11 Lowers Flag on Flag Day
June 18, 2008
As stated in the attached letter to the Santa Cruz City Council,
members of the Corrie-Mizo Chapter of the Veterans For Peace lowered
the US Flag at the Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building to half
staff, on Flag Day, June 14, 2008. The attached letter was read to the City Council by VFP member Duncan Murphy.
We mourn the loss of life that has resulted from the US invasions of
Iraq and Afghanistan. We will continue to fly the flag at half staff
while US policies result in needless and unjustified deaths in these
countries.
We understand that the US Flag Code specifies that only the President
or the Governors may authorize the flying of the flag at half staff.
However, since these officials have neglected to acknowledge the waste
of human life, we have taken matters into our own hands, to present a
reminder to the community of the true cost of these invasions.
Peace,
Daniel Young
VFP Chapter 11
Santa Cruz, CA
Chapter 096 -Peace Pilgrim 100th Birthday and Crosby, Stills, and Nash Concert
March 8, 2008
A few members of Chapter 096 raised awareness of VFP at a local (but nationally celebrated) event, Peace Pilgrim's 100th birthday. We participated in a 2 mile walk for peace and an all day picnic. Members Colby Tipping, Nancy and Raymond Smith.
Also tabling at the Crosby, Stills, and Nash Concert
VFP Chapters Busy on Memorial Day
May 30, 2008
Over 30 VFP Chapters held or participated in Memorial Day events last Monday. Some chapters participated in parades, held their own Arlington Memorials, worked on active duty outreach, or collaborated with other organizations to hold events. Read their reports and view their pictures.
MAY 7, 2008
Midwest Region Announces its Second Annual Conference - June 7
THEME: Do we agree that militarism is the source of most of our foreign policy and domestic policy failures? Is there a basis upon which to build a sustainable nation-wide strategy for counteracting militarism?
Where:
Friends Meeting House
1001 Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO
63104
VFP Reaches Out to Troops on May Day
May 5, 2008
Members and staff of Veterans For Peace took their message to
military bases on May 1, 2008 in recognition of the fifth anniversay
of "Mission Accomplished". Outside of Fort Wainwright, AK, Fort Dix, PA, Fort Hood, TX, and Scott Air Force Base, IL,
members of VFP held banners and signs and handed out brochures, movies,
and information to military personnel. Since President Bush landed on
the USS Abraham Lincoln and declared the
mission accomplished, 3,932 United States personnel have died in the war
and occupation of Iraq.
If you are interested in learning more about how to reach out to the troops in your area, please contact Cherie at ceichholz@veteransforpeace.net or call 314-725-6005.
Have you participated in one of these actions? Do you want to learn more? Join the discussion at the Veterans For Peace Online Forum.
Occupation Project Update -Jury Acquits Bangor Peace Activists
May 1, 2008
Doug Rawlings and Dudley Hendrick, both members of Chapter 001
of Veterans For Peace, were part of a group of six activists that were
found not guilty of criminal trespass on Wednesday. The six were
arrested as part of the Occupation Project inside U.S. Sen. Susan
Collins' office in the Federal Building in Bangor, Maine. Read their statement here.
District Attorney R. Christopher Almy said the following: "I think that the public in Maine is so disgusted with the war in Iraq that they demonstrated their disgust with this verdict...and, that they are upset with [Sen. Olympia] Snowe and Collins for getting us involved in this debacle."
Chapter 039 Remembers 4000 Dead
April 11, 2008
On the day after the official tally of the 4,000th casualty of the Iraq War,
several organizations rallied on the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Cleveland, Ohio
to commemorate this sad milestone and call for an end to the war. Among them
were members of Chapter 39 Veterans for Peace. Organizers and volunteers
recorded the name of each casualty on a sheet of paper and placed each sheet
into a clear plastic holder which were then strung together and a stretched from
one end of the bridge to the other. Tragically, there were enough names for
both sides of the bridge. See photos of the event.
Colorado Chapter Reaches out to Social Studies field
April 11, 2008
Colorado VFP members Tom Kelly (l) and
Frank Bessinger (r) with VFP material at the Colorado Council for the
Social Studies annual conference, April 11, 2008, in Denver.
My suggestion is each VFP organization contact their State educational
councils for social studies, English, etc., and participate in the
annual conferences as session leaders and table sponsors. This is the
one time where VFP members can interact with educators throug out their
State to share their message and materials.
There is also the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), that
meets in late November annually. This year I will present a session,
"Teaching About War: Past, Present, and Future." Each State council
meets at various times. Through NCSS, I have a list of many of those
State meetings and contact people. Also, contacting your State Dept.
of Education will probably provide the same information.
Working with educators is one of the most effective means to getting
word of important information and activities to the community. Try it.
VFP Vice-President Arrested in San Francisco - Her Story
March 26, 2008
Sharon Kufeldt serves as the Veterans For Peace Vice-President.
Daughter of a Marine from WWII and Korea, she joined the Air Force
during Vietnam.
To commemorate the 5th year of the occupation of Iraq, Sharon participated in a die-in outside Senator Diane Feinstein's office in San Francisco. Across the city of San Francisco, over 165 people were arrested.
"There comes a time, when the heart is moved by compassion, to join the likes of Daniel Ellsberg and his wife, Fr. Louis Vitale, Ying Lee, and others. My personal mission this day was to experience the first stages of civil disobedience. I wanted to sit - or actually lay - in the street with a gathering of others - for a few minutes to explore the edges of this phenomenon."Chapter 099 - Asheville, NC Helps Orphans in Afghanistan
March 9, 2008
In 2003, the Asheville, NC Chapter of Veterans For Peace voted to help two orphanages in Laghman and Jalalabad, Afghanistan. They raised over $20,000 to help provide kitchen equipment, washing machines, and much needed daily supplies to the orphans. Many of these students are able to continue their education thanks to the hard work of the Asheville Chapter.
The project recently received an additional $17,000 through other members of Veterans For Peace that will be used to provide a badly needed new roof.
The Asheville Chapter has been working with LIFE for Relief and Development, the same organization that assists the Iraq Water Project with providing clean drinking water to Iraq.
Squadron 13 Bus Deployed to Winter Soldier
March 11, 2008
Chapter members from 072 Oregon and 929 Eugene, OR, along with others, are traveling across the nation raising awareness of Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan. Along their trip, they have been able to visit Sacramento, Albuquerque, and are on their way through Missouri with their final destination Washington D.C. You can view the Squadron 13 photos here!
St. Louis, MO Board of Alderman Vote in Favor of Ending Combat Operations in Iraq
March 7, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri's Board of Alderman voted in favor of Resolution 339 urging "cessation of combat operations in Iraq and the return of U.S. troops."
Sponsored by Alderman Terry Kennedy, the resolution gained many co-sponsors and passed with 23 votes. Veterans For Peace Executive Director, Michael McPhearson, spoke to the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee in favor of passing this legislation.
This makes St. Louis the first city in Missouri to "urge the United States Congress and the President to immediately commence an orderly and rapid withdrawal of United States military personnel from Iraq," as well as to assist the Iraqi people to rebuild and to redirect financial resources for war to address public needs within our cities infrastructure. There are over 280 cities nationwide that have passed similar legislation.
VFP Chapters Working to Raise Money for Winter Soldier
February 25, 2008
Veterans For Peace chapters across the country are helping to support IVAW's Winter Soldier by holding house parties to raise much needed funds. So far, almost $20,000 has been raised by VFP members and supporters. To learn more about Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan visit www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier.
Rochester, NY - Chapter 23
We had our showing of Winter Soldier promotional video at our house party in Delray Beach. We collected $400.00. Included in the photo is IVAW members Camilo Mejia and Marc Reid and VFP member Doug Ryder.
Maine - Chapter 1
Despite a raging snow storm, Maine VFP - Chapter 1 - hosted a successful fund raiser to support the Winter Soldier. We raised over $1000, and expect additional donations to come in from those unable to attend due to the storm.
At our party, we heard an account from former Naval Lt. Becky Farley about her witnessing the Shock and Awe invasion from the deck of an Aegis destroyer, which fired the first strike on Iraq with eleven Tomahawk missiles. That was enough for Becky to reconsider her plans to make a career of the Navy. She is now a member of IVAW, and hopes to testify at Winter Soldier in Washington.
Lehigh Valley - Chapter 152
VFP, Ch 152 held their fundraiser this past weekend, Saturday and Sunday. We raised $1372.00 which was mailed to IVAW today. On Saturday, Sholom Keller and Frank Radosin attended with Sholom speaking. Dave Lindorff, who co-authored The Case for Impeachment, came on Sunday. We showed the promo video both days.
Other VFP chapters have contributed to this fund, including Washington D.C. Chapter 16 which raised over $3000 and the Boston Smedley Butler - Chapter 9 which raised over $13,000!
VFP Establishes Beachhead in Hinesville, GA
February 21, 2008
Veterans For Peace has established a presence in the Fort Stewart, Georgia, area; the effort was organized by Sandy Kelson from the Northwest Pennsylvania VFP Chapter. He and John Grant from Philadelphia Chapter 31 began their outreach slowly by standing in front of the main base gate passing out free copies of Sir! No Sir!, GI Rights cards, Appeal For Redress forms, and VFP and IVAW brochures to anyone with a base sticker who would accept the material.
Boise, Idaho: "Shut Down Guantanamo Military Prison" Event
January 16, 2008
January 11, 2008 - Some 70+ people attended this event in Boise. Most were
wearing orange armbands or clothing and carried various signs and flags
expressing thoughts about torture and illegal detention without due process of
law. There were three speakers followed by two musicians who played guitar and
got the crowd signing some good protest songs along with them .
A group
of 10-15 folks escorted our four shackled and hooded prisoners in orange
jumpsuits around all three floors of the temporary State Legislature Annex
Building (Our State Capital is being renovated through 2010). Several of these
folks also carried signs that protested the use of torture and illegal detention
at Guantanamo Prison.
The event was covered by two local TV stations which broadcast a quick sound bite from our event on the local evening news later that evening. The event was not picked up in our local paper, which is not unusual for Idaho peace and justice events even though over 25 different broadcast and printed media outlets were informed of the event in advance by the co-sponsoring groups. However, it was a good event which attracted about 3 times more poeple than last year's event. So torture and bad behaviour are beginning to rise to the surface, even here in Idaho.
These actions were a part of the Witness Against Torture Campaign to Shut Down Guantanamo.
Yellow Rose of Texas Bus Destroyed by Fire
January 14, 2008
Veterans For Peace member, Jim Goodnow, has been traveling with his Yellow Rose of Texas bus since September of 2005. Friday night, while at a New Jersey truck stop, the Yellow Rose of Texas bus caught fire and was destroyed. Jim was the only person on the bus and escaped safely. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
Most recently, Jim and the Yellow Rose appeared at the VFP National Convention in St.Louis, traveled the east coast with members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, and was keeping the war visible in New Jersey during the Presidential primaries.
More can be seen at http://yellowrosepeacebus.blogspot.com
Evansville, IN VFP Chapter 104 Holds "John Lennon Night" Fundraiser
January 8, 2008
Larry Miller was inspired by John Lennon and devastated when Lennon was murdered. Lennon's death prompted Miller to throw himself into his theretofore casual interest in music and Lennon's history. In subsequent years, Miller participated in and established several local bands and became known locally as "Electric Larry".
For the past several years, Miller assembled his musician friends and hosted a "John Lennon Night" at area bars on December 8, the anniversary of Lennon's death. When the local Veterans For Peace chapter was established by Miller and other Evansville area veterans, John Lennon Night became a Veterans For Peace sponsored event.
The night is seen as an outreach opportunity and for fund raising. The night includes good music, poetry, readings, rants, an open mic and opportunities to connect/reconnect with the progressive community in Evansville (environmentalists, antipoverty advocates, social justice advocates, etc.) . It's all free with cash bar and, for the past two years, snacks provided by VFP members. Fundraising has included collecting money for veteran phone cards, support for homeless veterans and chapter fundraising. It's a good opportunity to highlight chapter and other initiatives, such as our Peace Eagle raffle, MoveOn petition against invading Iran, etc.
For the past two years, the event has been held at the Art Colony Gallery. This is an art gallery in an area of the city recently designated as the "Arts District". The gallery owner and district officials are ecstatic with Lennon Night because of the traffic and awareness it brings to the nascent art district.
The event usually attracts print media attention and an increasing number of people in the community associate VFP Chapter 104 with this event. Attendance, always very good, has grown precipitously in the past three years (coinciding with the chapter's overall community involvement-parades, informational presentations, letters to the editor, etc.). Advocates also routinely send email invitations/announcements to their email lists.