McHenry County Blog

Veterans have lunch at Camp Algonquin. Organizer John Blanchard can be seen top right next to Amy Johnson, who is in charge of the details.

NASA Education’s John Blanchard told me that about 325 Veterans came to Camp Algonquin for the Stand Down that his organization has been putting on twice a year for a couple of years.

Here are the staffers for Congressman Don Manzullo and Congresswoman Melissa Bean.

The only “celebrity” was 8th Congressional District U.S. Representative Melissa Bean this year. She didn’t speak, rather walked around and talked to the Veterans.

Main men snaked through the service provider room waiting for lunch.

So, the two-day event was about service more than publicity.

While mainly men were standing in the room next door, these Veterans were chowing down.

35,000 pounds of clothing were distributed.

Undoubtedly, the TV room was packed last night with 166 staying at Camp Algonquin.

166 stayed overnight at the McHenry County Conservation District-owned, but YMCA-operated campground.

The road down to the lower building, where clothes were distributed.

For the first time, there was snow. Melting.

One could still see it had been a snowy winter.

Get off the path and mud was the result.

Naturally, I arrived about lunch time.

There was a big feed.

Volunteers staffed the food line.

Some of the volunteers I recognized from before.

Blanchard told me some had been volunteering since the first Stand Down.

He also told me that seven of the Veterans would be staying in Crystal Lake to enter his group’s training program.

“This is our outreach,” he said.

“Where are you going to put those pictures,” one Veteran asked as I was leaving.

Stand Down Vets posing before the main building at Camp Algonquin.

“On McHenry County Blog,” I told them as they posed for this photo.  “And, it will show the snow.”

The following press release has been received from NASA Education. It gives details of the Stand Down on Marcy 8th and 9th.

NASA Education Corporation Semi-Annual Stand Down for Veterans to take place March 8-9, 2010

CRYSTAL LAKE – Calling all veterans this event is for you. There is no cost to attend this function. Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled or homeless and are otherwise in transition are the focus of the Stand Down for Veterans, which will take place beginning at 8:00 a.m. on March 8th through 3:00 p.m., March 9th at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin.

“The individuals attending our stand down, coming for assistance are truly heroes. Each and every one of us owes them our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy, worldwide.“The reasons that they have reached the point in need of assistance, varies as widely as your own individuality.

“The people coming to the stand down for assistance are not only recent veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, but are also veterans that reach as far back as the Vietnam War, the Korean War and the code talkers of WWII,”

said John Blanchard, executive director of National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), the sponsor of the event.

Last fall's Stand Down saw men walking up the hill from the clothes room with full duffel bags.

He added that the organization is expecting to provide services to over 300 veterans. Due to a new feature added to our website that allows attendees to pre-register for the event, we are able to plan more efficiently; so with almost 289 pre-registered, we anticipate that number to increase over the two days with individuals who will walk in that day. As NASA Education motto states, “Through ‘help and healing and delivering on their hope,’ these individuals want to rejoin the mainstream of our productive society. They were once the most loyal, dedicated, responsible and professional employees that the federal government has ever had and they need to get that back.”

Luncheon is served.

Services will include medical screenings and information about other VA services by North Chicago VA Medical Center, employment services by Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS)/Department of Labor through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), referrals for housing assistance and other services by the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission., legal counseling by Attorney Jeffrey Antonelli. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will verify military status and eligibility for services as well as claims processing; this office can and will make things happen.

Attorney Jeff Antonelli is one of the people who volunteer at the Stand Down.

Senior Services and representatives from the Social Security Administration will also be on hand to assist with any questions and applications for SSDI. The American Red Cross will be on hand to provide assistance. McHenry County College will be sending a representative to answer any questions regarding registering for classes, etc. Other services providers will be the VET Center and PAXEM, Inc. Harper College Dental Clinic will be providing cancer screenings on Tuesday only.

Veterans will be able to register for medical care at North Chicago VA Medical Center at the Stand Down. Information about community services for homeless and low-income individuals will be provided by Susan Giannone, the constituent services advocate from Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s Office, and Pam Sexton, the constituent services advocate from Congressman Donald Manzullo’s Office.

NASA Education will accept applications for participation in Project Fresh Start, its comprehensive workforce and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition. NASA Education will also accept applications for its 32-bed transitional housing facility for homeless veterans.

Headliner for last fall's Stand Down Veterans Affairs Director Dan Grant.

“The individuals that come to the Stand Down are in need of a safe place to be, workforce and community reintegration training and an opportunity to be back on track where they should be, and that’s exactly what we provide through our main program Project Fresh Start. Employers that wish to have dedicated, English speaking trainees that will show up to work and have a burning desire for a new career should strongly consider Project Fresh Start participants,” said Blanchard.

John Blanchard talked with folks in the service providers' room at Camp Algonquin.

“I strongly encourage the service providers attending the stand down to fulfill their obligations to the veteran community by doing what they’re charged do.”

Veterans will also receive a number of amenities at the Stand Down, including free haircuts by SportClips of McHenry, Hair Cuttery out of Woodstock and Crystal Lakes very own Slims Barbershop.

Haircuts were provided by Cortney Thurman and Melissa Adam at the fall Stand Down.

Clothing, military gear, meals and the use of shower facilities will be provided on both days, and overnight shelter will be provided on Monday, March 8th. Individuals and organizations from the community have donated new and gently used clothing and shoes, new underwear and socks, and toiletries.

We are very grateful to local businesses and organizations that have stepped up and made donations to assist with the Stand Down. Those organizations are Kyoto’s, Pontarelli’s, Great American Bagel and Rosati’s of McHenry. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Carpentersville Post 5915 will be strongly involved through volunteers and donations.

Volunteering last fall were Helen Jost, Richard Quick and Elaine Slack.

How can you help?

Donations are needed in the form of cash, new and gently used clothes for men and women, baked goods or other desserts, toiletries, fast food gift certificates in small denominations and gift cards from supermarkets.

Transportation will be provided to the Stand Down for the veterans from various pick-up points throughout the community. Please phone NASA Education at 866-338-4968 tollfree for more information about the Stand Down, pick-up points, volunteering and making donations. Or you may send an email to Amy Johnson at Amy_Johnson@nasaeducation.org or please visit our website at www.nasaed.org.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

Chagrin Falls, Ohio, World War II veteran Charles McHenry came all the way to Crystal Lake for a Library of Congress Veteran History Project interview.

John Blanchard, Executive Director of Crystal Lake-based NASA Education, flew his private plane to pick McHenry and his son Charles, Jr., on Thursday.

The reason for the trip was to document Mr. McHenry’s account of his service during WWII.

The Veteran History Project collects first-person accounts of military service in WWI, WWII, the wars in Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Veteran History Project honors American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them by preserving stories of their service to our country.

In October, 2000, the U.S. Congress unanimously voted to create program, which will be housed at the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress in Washington.

The contents of the archives and its collections are made available to researchers and the public.

In additional to compiling a unique archive for scholars, the Veterans History Project hopes to inspire future generations with these stories of service to our country.

Mr. McHenry served in the United State Navy during WWII on the USS Finback SS230 as a submariner, with his main specialty as an electrician.

He served from June, 1943 – December, 1945 and then was called back to duty and served during the Korea conflict between September, 1950 and March 1951.

“His stories were amazing and so clearly stated,” Blanchard explained.

During his visit to Crystal Lake, McHenry attended Carpentersville VFW Post 5915’s community night, appearing with Jim Shea. Shea and Mr. McHenry’s son Charles, Jr. have been boyhood buddies since the 4th grade and that is how Mr. Blanchard learned of him.

“It was a fun filled trip,” Blanchard explained, “one he said he would remember for the rest of his life. They headed back to Cleveland early this afternoon.

“Everyone at NASA Education was left with heartfelt memories of our blessed WWII Navy veteran named Charles,” Blanchard said.

This is the 11th recording that NASA Education has done for the Veteran History Project.

“We are seeking individuals that have either served or know of someone that may be interested in sharing their stories of the past,” Blanchard explained. “Please contact Amy Johnson, Program Director at 800-724-9692 for additional information or to schedule an interview.”

Today was the first day of NASA Education’s Veteran’s Stand Down in Camp Algonquin, located on the Algonquin-Cary Blacktop.  The second day is tomorrow.

First veterans register at the building on top of the hill.  Then they wait around for a ride down the hill.

There are two types of rides.  A golf cart, which was delightful in the 80 degree weather.

Or, one could get a ride in the patriotically draped van paid for by a grant from the Illinois Veterans’ Lottery and awarded by the Illinois Veterans Affairs Department while Tammy Duckworth was director.

In the half of the building seen above were tables for those providing veterans with services.  When I walked in, NASA Education’s John Blanchard, a man with a passion for helping veterans whose white shirt you see in the foreground, was talking to Governor Pat Quinn’s Director of Veterans Affairs, Dan Grant, and others.

Lots of people wanted to talk to Blanchard.  This time I got a side view.  You can see the tables of Congresswoman Melissa Bean and Congressman Don Manzullo in the back corner of the room.

I asked where the trims were being offered this year and was directed back up the hill. So back up the hill I climbed.

There I found Cortney Thurman and Melissa Adam giving haircuts to two vets.  They both work at Sport Clips in McHenry and were volunteering the services.

The dining room was still full.

The pumpkin pie was pretty well gone, but there was still plenty of cake.

Among those offering advice was attorney Jeff Antonelli. Note his yellow legal pad has no pages left. He had been tearing off pages on which he wrote his phone number, but so many people asked for it that he started tearing pieces from the pages and handing them out.

Ray Infante represented the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

In a downtime, McHenry County College employee Helen Jost of Lake in the Hills was caught talking to Elaine Slack, a volunteer from the Carpentersville VFW Post 15915.  The man leaning over from the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois is Richard Quick.  I didn’t see a table from Elgin Community College, the college that serves Algonquin and the rest of District 300.

The weather was so much better than when the Veterans Stand Down was held later in the fall.  Not too mention drier.

I seem to have posted something that someone in power in China doesn’t want its citizens reading.

It seems to have something to do with the following picture of a Vet-Teks truck and two drivers supplied by John Blanchard’s NASA Education.

Just two guys standing next to a truck in a story published May 1, 2008, entitled,

Forbidden

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Here’s where the attempt to access the picture came from (click to enlarge):

Anybody have any idea what’s going on?

I try to keep up with NASA Education’s Veterans Stand Downs at Camp Algonquin.

The next two-day event will be held Monday and Tuesday. Information about it is below the announcement.

NASA will sponsor the next Stand Down for Veterans on March 9 and 10, 2009 at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin, IL 60102.

This will be NASA Education’s sixth semiannual, two-day Stand Down. At the Spring 2008 event, 227 newly discharged, displaced, disabled, homeless, unemployed, elderly and other veterans in need received services.

We expect a record attendance at the next Stand Down! U.S Department of Labor’s, Patrick Winfrey, Illinois Representative Linda Chapa LaVia, and McHenry County board member Mary Donner were keynote speakers at the Spring Stand Down last year.

The Stand Down for Veterans is an ambitious undertaking that takes many hands to produce, but it’s a joyful one because the entire community pitches in to help our nation’s heroes.

Services to be provided to the veterans include meals and accommodations for the two-day event at beautiful YMCA Camp Algonquin.

Representatives will be on hand to assist with

• employment services,
• legal counseling,
• medical screenings and
• on-site registration for VA medical care,
• assistance in registering for VA benefits,
• DD214s and other programs,
• referrals for housing assistance and food vouchers,
• referrals for free dental and eye care.

There will be

• information and applications for housing/vocational rehabilitation programs,
• information about community substance abuse, mental health and other programs,
• free haircuts,
• therapeutic massage,
• a distribution of clothes, coats, new underwear, shoes and toiletry items,
• entertainment and more!

The Stand Down is partially funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)/Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) and the HelpAmerica Foundation.

= = = = =
The top photo is of an outreach employee of 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean.

The bottom photo is of John Blanchard in a big room full of clothes for veterans.

The following press release explains the details:

CRYSTAL LAKE – Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled, homeless or are otherwise in transition are the focus of the Stand Down for Veterans, which will take place beginning at 9:00 a.m. on March 9 through 3:00 p,m., March 10th at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin.

This year we are excited to welcome our old friends, U.S Department of Labor’s Patrick Winfrey and McHenry County board member, from District 3, Mary Donner.

We are pleased to announce and delighted to extend our warmest welcome to the new Director of The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Dan Grant. Director Grant will be in attendance at the Stand Down on Monday, March 9th.

“The individuals attending our stand down, coming for assistance are truly heroes. Each and every one of us owes them our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy, worldwide.

“The reasons that they have reached the point in need of assistance, varies as widely as your own individuality. The people coming to the stand down for assistance are not only recent veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, but are also veterans that reach as far back as the Vietnam War, the Korean War and the code talkers of WWII,” said John Blanchard, executive director of National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), the sponsor of the event.

He added that the organization is expecting to provide services to at least 200 veterans. As NASA Education motto states, “Through ‘help and healing and delivering on their hope’, these individuals want to rejoin the mainstream of our productive society. They were once the most loyal, dedicated, responsible and professional employees that the federal government has ever had and they need to get that back.“

Services will include

• medical screenings and information about other VA services by North Chicago VA Medical Center,
• employment services by Reynaldo Infante of Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS)/ Department of Labor through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES),
• referrals for housing assistance and other services by Mike Iwanicki and Cheryl Kirsch of the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission and John Carr of the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission,
• legal counseling by Attorney Jeffrey Antonelli.
• Phyllis Taylor Smith of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will verify military status and eligibility for services as well as claims processing; this office can and will make things happen.
• Sheryl White from Sr. Services,
• Siobhan White from Hospice of NE IL and
• representatives from the Social Security will also be on hand to assist with any questions and applications for SSDI.
• The American Red Cross will also be on hand to provide assistance.
• Veterans will be able to register for medical care at North Chicago VA Medical Center and Hines VA Medical Center at the Stand Down.



• Veteran service officers from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) will assist veterans in applying for VA disability claims and other VA benefits, state health insurance, and DD214s.
• Information about community services for homeless and low-income individuals will be provided by

Susan Giannone, the constituent services advocate from Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s Office, and

Pam Sexton, the constituent services advocate from Congressman Donald Manzullo’s Office.

NASA Education will accept applications for participation in Project Fresh Start, its comprehensive workforce and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition. NASA Education will also accept applications for its 32-bed transitional housing facility for homeless veterans.

Local employers Vets Total Car Care,

• Liberating Solutions and
• Vet-Teks

will be on-site to offer employment opportunities.

NASA Education’s very own Veteran Service Officer, Eric Behler will also be on site to assist veterans in applying for VA disability claims and other VA benefits and DD214s.

“The individuals that come to the Stand Down are in need of a safe place to be, workforce and community reintegration training and an opportunity to be back on track where they should be, and that’s exactly what we provide through our main program Project Fresh Start. Employers that wish to have dedicated, English speaking trainees that will show up to work and have a burning desire for a new career should strongly consider Project Fresh Start participants,” said Blanchard.

“I strongly encourage the service providers attending the stand down to fulfill their obligations to the veteran community by doing what they’re charged do.”

Veterans will also receive a number of amenities at the Stand Down, including free haircuts by SportClips and Slims Barbershop.

Clothing, military gear, meals and the use of shower facilities will be provided on both days, and overnight shelter will be provided on Monday, March 9th.

Individuals and organizations from the community have donated new and gently used clothing and shoes, new underwear and socks, and toiletries.

Partial funding over the past 3 years, for the Stand Down has been provided through grants from the Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)/U.S. Department of Labor.

Donations are still needed in the form of cash, new and gently used clothes for men and women, baked goods or other desserts, toiletries, fast food gift certificates in small denominations and gift cards from supermarkets.

Transportation will be provided to the Stand Down for the veterans from various pick-up points throughout the community.

Please phone NASA Education at 866-338-4968 toll-free for more information about the Stand Down, pick-up points, volunteering and making donations. Or you may send an email to Amy Johnson at Amy_Johnson@nasaeducation.org. The NASA Education website is www.nasaeducation.org.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

= = = = =

Photos are all from past Stand Downs. On top you see McHenry County Board member Mary Donner with NASA Education’s John Blanchard.

McHenry County Blog coverage of previous Stand Downs can be found below:

McHenry County Blog has written stories about each of them:

10-4-6 Veterans Stand Down Attracts 26 Homeless Veterans

3-7-7 Veterans’ Stand Down Notes

10-7-7 Camp Algonquin Stand Down for Veterans to take place October 8 and 9

10-13-7 Manzullo at Camp Algonquin Stand Down

4-1-8 Veterans Stand Down Fills Camp Algonquin

NASA Education has been a topic of a number of articles on McHenry County Blog. Started by John Blanchard, the organization’s goal is get veterans in need back on their feet and into the mainstream of American life.

Twice a year the organization sponsors a Veterans Stand Down at Camp Algonquin. There’s one coming up March 9th and 10th at the YMCA facility. Details are here, including contact information for those wishing to volunteer.

Below is a press release about a new aspect of the program, Fresh Start participants’ volunteering to pay the local community back to show their appreciation.

Successful Local Non-Profit Company NASA Education Project Fresh Start Participants Gives Back To The Community

CRYSTAL LAKE – John Blanchard, executive director of NASA Education Corporation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company, along with senior participants of it’s main program, Project Fresh Start attended the Crystal Lake City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 17th and presented the City of Crystal Lake’s Police Department and the Fire Department’s EMS division with monetary donations raised by the group as part of their pay-it-forward initiative.

Last Tuesday night’s City of Crystal Lake council meeting was the first of many presentations planned for the participants of Project Fresh Start. Mr. Blanchard presented Fire Chief James Moore, with a check to go towards their EMS division and participant Roger Burns presented Chief Dave Linder with a check.

In addition to their pay-it-forward initiative, each of the participants volunteer 10 hours a month at local shelters, organizations and other locations out in the private sector. Realizing where they have come from to their new found successes, they know first hand there are those individuals that haven’t been given the same opportunities and truly wanted to show their appreciation.

During their weekly group meetings, Mr. Blanchard, along with the participants discussed what they could do within the community to show their appreciation and willingness to give back; in recognition of NASA Education for its program and beliefs instilled by Mr. Blanchard for offering them a new lease on life and a fresh start.

A group decision was made that through their work assignments of yard work, snow shoveling, home maintenance and repair; a portion of the money received for those tasks be saved and donated throughout the community.

The unanimous decision started the pay-it-forward initiative. The participants are individuals who only months, weeks or in some cases days ago, didn’t know where to turn to for assistance and truly have so little of their own, still want to do something to show their appreciation and to also give them a purpose and something strive for.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization who’s main program, Project Fresh Start, offers a community and workforce reintegration program that includes free housing, transportation, and training for U.S. veterans who are newly returned, displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.
For more information about NASA Education, please contact Amy Johnson at 866-338-4968 (866-EDU-4YOU) or

amy_johnson@nasaeducation.org or visit our website at www.nasaeducation.org.

= = = = =
In the photo John Blanchard is talking to two of the volunteers at one of Camp Algonquin’s Stand Downs.

NASA Education has been a topic of a number of articles on McHenry County Blog. Started by John Blanchard, the organization’s goal is get veterans in need back on their feet and into the mainstream of American life.

Twice a year the organization sponsors a Veterans Stand Down at Camp Algonquin. There’s one coming up March 9th and 10th at the YMCA facility. Details are here, including contact information for those wishing to volunteer.

Below is a press release about a new aspect of the program, Fresh Start participants’ volunteering to pay the local community back to show their appreciation.

Successful Local Non-Profit Company NASA Education Project Fresh Start Participants Gives Back To The Community

CRYSTAL LAKE – John Blanchard, executive director of NASA Education Corporation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company, along with senior participants of it’s main program, Project Fresh Start attended the Crystal Lake City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 17th and presented the City of Crystal Lake’s Police Department and the Fire Department’s EMS division with monetary donations raised by the group as part of their pay-it-forward initiative.

Last Tuesday night’s City of Crystal Lake council meeting was the first of many presentations planned for the participants of Project Fresh Start. Mr. Blanchard presented Fire Chief James Moore, with a check to go towards their EMS division and participant Roger Burns presented Chief Dave Linder with a check.

In addition to their pay-it-forward initiative, each of the participants volunteer 10 hours a month at local shelters, organizations and other locations out in the private sector. Realizing where they have come from to their new found successes, they know first hand there are those individuals that haven’t been given the same opportunities and truly wanted to show their appreciation.

During their weekly group meetings, Mr. Blanchard, along with the participants discussed what they could do within the community to show their appreciation and willingness to give back; in recognition of NASA Education for its program and beliefs instilled by Mr. Blanchard for offering them a new lease on life and a fresh start.

A group decision was made that through their work assignments of yard work, snow shoveling, home maintenance and repair; a portion of the money received for those tasks be saved and donated throughout the community.

The unanimous decision started the pay-it-forward initiative. The participants are individuals who only months, weeks or in some cases days ago, didn’t know where to turn to for assistance and truly have so little of their own, still want to do something to show their appreciation and to also give them a purpose and something strive for.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization who’s main program, Project Fresh Start, offers a community and workforce reintegration program that includes free housing, transportation, and training for U.S. veterans who are newly returned, displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.
For more information about NASA Education, please contact Amy Johnson at 866-338-4968 (866-EDU-4YOU) or

amy_johnson@nasaeducation.org or visit our website at www.nasaeducation.org.

= = = = =
In the photo John Blanchard is talking to two of the volunteers at one of Camp Algonquin’s Stand Downs.

We haven’t gotten a new (to us) car for a long time.

Yesterday the Pauly Toyota-submitted title for my wife’s car arrived.

Inside were four solicitations for automobile donations.

I have written about John Blanchard’s NASA Education’s insert previously. (In this article, you can read the text of the insert, if you click on the image to enlarge it.) It’s changed a bit, now noting that the McHenry County Community Foundation has provided a grant to transport and repair the vehicles, as has the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Its competition comes from The Leukemia Research Foundation, Rawhide Boys Ranch for at risk teens, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.