The following press release has been received from NASA Education. It tells how you could help veterans in need by eating out in McHenry Saturday.

NASA Education sponsors the Veterans Stand Downs at Camp Algonquin each spring and fall.

The organization also runs two Crystal Lake apartment buildings for homeless veterans.

In addition, it has a bus purchased by the Illinois Veterans Affairs Department that take veterans to medical appointments.

“Local Non-Profit Company to Host its Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser to help Veterans who are In Transition”

CRYSTAL LAKE – Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition will benefit form NASA Education’s Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser which will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on January 31, 2009 at the VFW Post 4600, locatd at 3002 W. Rt 120 in McHenry.

The admission is $20 per person, ½ price for children 5-10, and free for children under the age of 5. The admission cost includes all you can eat and is also an entry ticket for one of our door prizes. This year some of the choices are listed below, with more coming in every day.

• Keyless Entry Remote Car Starter – valued at $250, compliments of Vets Total Car Care
• $100 Gift Certificate to Kyoto’s Japanese Steak and Sushi Bar in Crystal Lake; complements of Mr. and Mrs. Kim
• A one nights stay and complimentary continental breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express in Algonquin – est. valued $150.00.
• 2 – Yard, Spring Clean-Up Services – 2 men, 4 hours, valued at $250 each – compliments of Liberating Solutions

NASA Education has a new contributor this year – Paul G. Yanzel of Big Sky Tickets. Paul has graciously donated concert tickets for

• Montley Crue, Row G, and
• Nickleback, Row H – both main floor seating.

All net proceeds of Paul’s business ventures are going towards his dream of starting a company that helps and assists handicap children, as well as disabled veterans. Keep checking his website for additional information www.bigskytickets.com. In addition to concert tickets, he also called upon his friends at Woodstock Harley-Davidson, who has kindly supplied silent auction donations.

Also as a part your evening entertainment we will be having 50/50 raffles and multiple silent auction opportunities, so bring the family for an evening of entertainment, fun and enjoyment.

This year’s entertainment will be provided by the incredible Dave Byron. Those that attended the last Spaghetti Supper can attest that a good time was had by all and his performance was amazing. Dave Byron has been playing guitar and performing for over 30 years, with performances throughout the United States, Europe and Belgium. His blazing speed and pleasing tones captivates audiences of all ages. He has mastered the styles of Jazz, Rock, Metal, Classical, Blues, New Age, Celtic, Spanish & Flamenco. Please visit his website at www.myspace.com/davebyronmusic.

NASA Education Corporation is beginning its new year with a huge start.

We are happy to report that just since the last Stand Down in November, we have all but a couple of our beds occupied and have also been able to provide housing for 3 families, as participants of Project Fresh Start.

The executive director, John Blanchard’s creativity has developed into another successful initiative called Vets Total Car Care – they are located at 8304 Pingree Rd in Lake in the Hills.

As a spin off of Project Fresh Start, we are able to offer those participants who would like to pursue a career in auto mechanics an opportunity to train with an experienced mechanic and gain experience in automotive repair. The lead mechanic oversees all of the tasks performed by the participants and when they are ready, we work with the participant in helping them obtain a job. Vets Total Car Care is able to provide all of the general automotive care, such as brakes, oil changes, new tires, exhaust system maintenance and replacement, as well as, installation of stereos, keyless entry, remote starters and has also partnered with National Interlock Service to install the Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) as required by the new laws passed regarding DUI first convictions.

Please visit our continuously growing website at www.vetstotalcarcare.org or call 847-458-4664 for available services. Vets Total Car Care is donating two oil changes and a brake replacement as their contribution to the event.

John has recruited his brother, James, once again to make his incredibly delicious spaghetti.

Then the best part – dessert. We are honored to be serving those delectable pineapple upside down cakes, which have appeared at our Stand Downs over the past couple of years and who now have an owner – the hard labors of Debra Robey and daughter, Danielle Welcher. The recipe is carried down from Debra’s recently departed husband, who also was a veteran and one of our military heroes of the past and so with his cakes, his memory will live on for years to come.

Please tell family and friends and come join us on Saturday night, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and let’s kick off another year in a big way for NASA Education programs for veterans.

National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), a 501(c)(3), non-profit, company was founded in 1999 by John Blanchard. NASA Ed is located in Crystal Lake, McHenry County, gives hope and promise to our military veterans. NASA Education’s primary program, Project Fresh Start, focuses on veterans who are homeless, displaced, disabled or are otherwise in transition to reintegrate them into the workforce with competitive wage jobs. An increase in skill level and income will result in greater self-determination, higher self-esteem and a healthier lifestyle.

Along with reintegration into the workforce, we focus heavily on residential stability so that the veterans can finally get off of the streets and achieve stable, affordable housing.

NASA Education is privately funded and welcomes any monetary contribution or participation in our fundraising events. Please visit our website, www.nasaed.org, for additional ways someone may be of assistance.

Please contact Amy Johnson, at 815-455-5190 or via e-mail

Amy_Johnson@NASAEducation.org for further information or to order tickets in advance. Thank you and I hope to see you all there.

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I can vouch for the pineapple upside down cake. It is delicious–just like my mother used to make.