ROOFERS

Hello All,
One of the NJFriends.org honorary members has offered to volunteer their
services for roof repair to any families who may need this service.
If you know of any families who need roof repair, please contact us at
973-541-1375 or info@njfriends.org and we will direct you.
Thank you for Supporting our Freedoms!
Regards,
NJFriends.org

TEEN INFO

Date:


Tuesday, January 24, 2006 9:16:10 AM
Tue, 24 Jan 2006 14:16:10 +0000

[View Source]
Good Morning,

I received an email from NGB about the Advanced Survey from Child and Youth Services. As of 23 Jan 06, NJ has had over 50 responses to it and is now ranked 17 out of 54. THANKS!! But, please keep getting the website/information out so more can submit them. http://www.AdvancedSurvey.com/default.asp?SurveyID=29890 Also as of 9am 24 Jan 06, NJ has no responses to the Lewis and Clark Essay Contest. But that’s ok; the contest runs for another month. The teens are probably writing superb essays; that’s why there are no entries yet J
Finally, I have attached a copy of over 200 links to websites that are willing to give money for higher education. Please forward/distribute to anyone interested

Thanks for all your hard work!!!
Keep it up!!!!

Amanda Balas
New Jersey Youth/Teen Coordinator
3650 Saylors Pond Road
Fort Dix, NJ 08640
Work: 609-562-0742
Fax: 609-562-0552
Toll Free: 1-888-859-0352

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NJNG Youth Camp

2006 NJNG Youth Camp: The 2006 New Jersey National Guard Youth Camp will be held July 16-22 at the New Jersey National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt. Camper, counselor and volunteer applications available at Family Assistance Centers; by calling the Family Program Office at (609) 562-0668 or online at: www.nj.gov/military/familysupport/youth_camp.html. The one week resident camp is for children, grandchildren and legal dependents between the ages of 9-12, of active and retired New Jersey National Guardmembers. There is a fee of $100 per camper.

Marriage Enrichment Seminars

Marriage Enrichment Seminars: have been scheduled for 2006 at the East Windsor, Ramada Inn. Classes are open to all NJNG Soldiers and Airmen and their spouses. Soldiers and Airmen that have returned from deployment have first priority. For registration forms or more information, call Marie Durling at 609-562-0739 or your Family Assistance Center. Seminar dates are:
February 17-19 March 24-26 April 21-23 June 9-11 September 15-17

State Family Readiness Council Grants

FRG Family/Business Grants: The State Family Readiness Council Grant Program will provide both Family and Business Grants to deserving New Jersey National Guard families impacted by deployment. Business grants are up to $5,000 and family grants $2,500. Those interested should contact Family Assistance through the hotline at 1-888- 859-0352. More information is available by e-mail at help@njguardfamilies.com or through the FACs or FRGs. Your Family Assistance Center can assist you with completion of the application. Please remember, that the application when completed needs to be sent to your local FAC to be logged-in, reviewed for completion, submission to the Family Readiness Council for consideration.

Benefit for Soldier's Son

BEEF and BEER FUNDRAISER

Date: March 11, 2006
Place: VFW Post# 2174 (Westville, NJ)
Time: 7pm-11pm

SFC Kirkpatrick and his wife Jamie will be having a benefit on March 11th for The Brent Woodall Foundation, which will be writing a grant for their son, who suffers from Autism. SFC Kirkpatrick is with A Co., 1-114th and is requesting support from his fellow soldiers and their familes and friends.
If you are interested in attending the cost is $25.00 per person or $40.00 per couple. You can contact SFC Kirkpatrick or his wife Jamie for tickets, or buy the tickets at the door.
There will be a DJ, a basket auction, a silent auction and a 50/50.
The event is open to all.
For more info you can visit the fondations website @ www.woodallkids.org

The Kirkpatrick contact info:
j.kirkpatrick@woodallkids.org
kevin.p.kirkpatrick@us.army.mil

*The Kirkpatricks may have the oppurtunity to hold the event at the Woodbury Armory which is down the street from the VFW. This all depends on the amount of tickets sold. More info on that to follow. Thank you!

Free laptops to the 5/117th

Dear Families of Deployed Soldiers of CAV 5/117th,

I have been in contact with Operation Homelink regarding the availability of computers for our deployed families and soldiers. I was informed that we have approximately 60 refurbished laptop computers with Windows 98 at our disposal. To qualify for a computer, you must be:

deployed soldier E1 -E5
spouse of a deployed soldier E1 -E5
child of deployed soldier E1 -E5
parent of a deployed soldier E1 -E5
girlfriend with a child of a deployed soldier E1 -E5
designated point of contact such as a brother of a deployed soldier E1 -E5

If you do not have internet at home, I strongly urge you to take advantage of this program. The internet is the best way to stay in contact with your soldier once he has gone overseas. And, yes, the soldiers themselves can take advantage of the free computers. Cendant who donated the refurbished computers wanted to include the soldiers as well.

I am compiling a list of those who need computers to forward to Operation Homelink. I need to know:

soldier's name and rank
family member's name and relation to soldier or
point of contact's name and relation to soldier
phone number
deployment status

If you would like to contact the program directly here is the contact information:

Stephanie Schultz, MSgt, USAF
Base Readiness NCO
McGuire AFB Family Support Center
Comm: (609) 754-2896
DSN:650-2896
fax: (609) 754-5750
email: stephanie.schultz@mcguire.af.mil

News You Can Use

1. American Airlines Extends Active-Duty Perks American Airlines has extended through June 1, 2006, several special offers for active-duty service members.
These offers include discounted airfares, relaxed advance purchase requirements and preferred boarding privileges.
Active-duty members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Guard and Reserves who are on leave or furlough (including those who are traveling within seven days of discharge from active service), and their spouses and dependent children, qualify for the special military fares. They may purchase them up to a week after making reservations--versus 24 hours for most non-military discount fares--making it easier for them to make travel arrangements. The discounted fares cover travel to domestic and various international destinations.

2. Free Photography Franchise on Tap
TSS Photography, a youth photography franchise formerly known as The Sports Section, has announced it will award a franchise territory worth $20,000 to a retired or honorably-discharged member of the Armed Forces. The 250,000-population territory can be anywhere in the country where TSS Photography does not have a current franchise.
The winner will receive the franchise territory, plus $5,000 in equipment and three nights at the TSS Photography Convention Hotel for training and public relations support for their opening–for a total value of $30,000. Candidates must submit an essay focusing on what their service to America has meant to them, why they would be an excellent franchise owner and why TSS Photography would be their franchise of choice. The essay should demonstrate previous entrepreneurial ambition, and dedication or commitment to their communities through activities such as involvement in local organizations, donations to charitable causes, or youth outreach. Visit www.tssphotography.com.

2. Airline VIP Club Open to Deployed Troops American Airlines has extended through June 1, 2006, free access to certain Admirals Club facilities for service members participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. Eligibility: be on emergency leave or Rest-and-Relaxation (R&R) leave from their assignments; be in appropriate uniform; and have emergency or R&R leave forms on hand. Family members and other relatives accompanying them also are eligible. The access is not open at airports that have a USO facility.

3. Free Income Tax Help Available
Marines, airmen, soldiers, sailors, and guardsmen, and their families worldwide may find tax preparation help at offices within their installations. These Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites provide free tax advice, tax preparation, and assistance to service members and their families. The volunteers are trained and equipped to address military-specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits and the effect of the new Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) guidelines. Commanders can support the program by detailing service members to prepare returns and by providing space and equipment for tax centers. The IRS provides tax software and trains members to prepare taxes at the military sites. For more information, visit http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html.

4. MotoMail Launched for Deployed Marines Families and friends of Marines deployed to Iraq can send them free messages that will be delivered as regular letters, generally within 24 hours. The sender either uses a Motivational Mail (MotoMail) Web site to type a message or takes a handwritten letter to a scanning location (available at most Stateside Marine Corps bases). The letter goes to the MotoMail server, and the designated Marine Corps post office in Iraq downloads the letter to a special machine that prints, folds and seals it. The machine ensures complete privacy. The sender can track the letter to identify when it was submitted, downloaded and printed. To use the system at the MotoMail site, visit http://www.motomail.us/ and create a user account. Then follow directions on the screen. MotoMail requires a specific name and address, and cannot be used to send letters of encouragement or support to "any Marine."

5. Free Sports Info Phone Cards
Through the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes and in partnership with Stars for Stripes, EZ Scores is giving U.S. service members 2.5 million prepaid calling cards, said Christopher O'Donnell, EZ Scores chief executive officer. EZ Scores is a Maryland-based, voice-activated sports information service that users can access from any phone, O'Donnell explained. It provides live scores for college and professional games in sports such as baseball, football, basketball and hockey, he added. Each card is good for 400 calls. Because it can be used from any phone, service members can share the personal identification number used to access the service with family and friends.
The heroes' salute coalition is working with several military organizations to get the cards into the hands of service members, a coalition spokesman said. Stars for Stripes is a nonprofit organization that provides entertainment to overseas deployed U.S. military forces.

6. Financial Counselor Fellowships for Spouses Military spouses interested in the financial counseling field can apply for one of 200 fellowships being offered for the Accredited Financial Counselor Program. The program is being offered through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education in partnership with the National Military Family Association (NMFA) and the NASD Investor Education Foundation. Applicants must be current or surviving spouses of active duty or retired Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserve members. Spouses interested must apply online before the closing date of Feb. 14. To apply, visit www.nmfa.org and click on the Military Spouse Fellowship for the Accredited Financial Counselor Program link. For more information, contact Lillie Cannon, NMFA program manager, at cannon@nmfa.org or (703) 861-3126.

Scholarships

FYI and distribution please. Please check out or pass on the following websites. They may be useful to some high school students.

The Armed Forces Children’s Education Fund, Inc. http://www.afcef.org/ is a fund to help assist with educational needs for those children whose parent has made the ultimate sacrifice.
Army Families Online www.wblo.org has the smart book link which is full of sites to help you pay for college.
Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America www.csfa.org
Evan Ashcraft www.evanashcraft.org provides educational funds to the service members and dependants of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Find Tuition www.findtuition.com is a site that must be subscribed too; however, once subscribed, you will find valuable links for college assistance.
Military.Com www.military.com has many links for grants, scholarships, and loan information for both service members and their dependants.
Military Scholar www.militaryscholar.org is a direct scholarship locator

Nick for Kids

Nickelodeon Announces Giveaway Program to Encourage Healthy Play
(deadline rolling until May 31, 2006).


Children's television network Nickelodeon () has announced the launch of the 2005-2006 "Let's Just Play" Giveaway Program. The network will distribute more than $1 million from September 2005 to June 2006. The "Let's Just Play" Giveaway offers kids around the United States the opportunity to take action and enter for a chance to win $5,000 to improve their school or community program's fitness resources. The initiative is part of the network's three-year pro-social "Let's Just Play" campaign, which encourages healthy and active lifestyles for kids and families. For ten months, Nickelodeon will award a minimum of 20 winners per month with $5,000 each to help facilitate play in their community. To enter, kids ( 6-15 years of age), partnering with teachers and other community-based leaders, must tell Nickelodeon what they need for their public or private school (grades K-9) or community-based after-school organization to help them play better and why, and give three reasons why play is important. Beginning in September, the winners will be randomly selected and announced via Nickelodeon Online at the top of each month.

FREE LAP TOP COMPUTERS to 5/117th CAV FAMILY MEMBERS

Dear Families of Deployed Soldiers of CAV 5/117th,I have been in contact with Operation Homelink regarding the availability of computers for our deployed families and soldiers. I was informed that we have approximately 60 refurbished laptop computers with Windows 98 at our disposal.

To qualify for a computer, you must be:
deployed soldier E1 -E5
spouse of a deployed soldier E1 -E5
child of deployed soldier E1 -E5
parent of a deployed soldier E1 -E5
girlfriend with a child of a deployed soldier E1 -E5
designated point of contact such as a brother of a deployed soldier E1 -E5

If you do not have internet at home, I strongly urge you to take advantage of this program. The internet is the best way to stay in contact with your soldier once he has gone overseas. And, yes, the soldiers themselves can take advantage of the free computers. Cendant who donated the refurbished computers wanted to include the soldiers as well. I am compiling a list of those who need computers to forward to Operation Homelink. I need to know:soldier's name and rankfamily member's name and relation to soldier orpoint of contact's name and relation to soldierphone numberdeployment status.

If you would like to contact the program directly here is the contact information:
Stephanie Schultz, MSgt, USAFBase Readiness NCO
McGuire AFB Family Support CenterComm:
(609) 754-2896DSN:650-2896
fax: (609) 754-5750
email: stephanie.schultz@mcguire.af.mil

$7,000 in Stipend and Scholarship Money

AmeriCorps is looking for volunteers from the south jersey area to implement service learning projects in area schools. If you volunteer, you could earn over $7,000 in living stipends and scholarships. For more information, please see the enclosed flyer for further information.
C:\Documents and Settings\haltman\My Documents\AmeriCorps\Publication1.pub

Woodbury FAC Offering Deployed Soldier Support & Play Group

The Woodbury FAC is offering a deployed soldier support group starting Saturday, January 14, 2006 at the FAC Center inside the Woodbury Armory. The group will meet from 10am -2pm and will offer support, resources and information for anyone that has a loved one overseas. The FAC is child friendly with cribs and toys so please feel free to bring children of all ages to play with others that miss their parent. The group will be facilitated by Heather Altman, one of the Woodbury FAC Coordinators who also has a Master's degree in Counseling and extensive knowledge both personal and professional knowledge of issues surrounding deployments. While the group will maintain a very informal atmosphere she will be available to address and refer any serious issues facing your or your loved one.

So, come out for fun and fellowship at the FAC. The group will be open to anyone that has a loved one deployed and will focus on National Guard issues. If you know someone that has a service member serving on active duty that needs support, please feel free to bring them as well! It does not matter where you live in NJ, what the soldiers rank is (no rank in support groups) or what unit your soldier is from all that matters is that you receive the support you need.

Since the group is informal, you can feel cree to join us at any time on Saturdays between the hours of 10 and 2. You can choose to share and participate or be a silent observer, whatever best suits your personal needs. At the first meeting, a needs assessment will be handed otu to participants to see what topics the group would like more information on so that presentations on pertinent topics can be made at future meetings. You can also bring lunch with you if you plan on staying for the duration of the meeting.

In addition to the meeting, the FAC has lots of donated items to make care package with so bring a box to stuff for your soldier while you are there and gain support while you save yourself some money!!

We hope this is one more tool that you and your family can use to get through this deployment and stay healthy and safe in the New Year!

For more information contact the Woodbury FAC.

Need a Part Time Job?

The NJ Office of Counter-Terrorism currently has several> part-time (15-20 hrs/wk) positions open for retired law enforcement &/or> military personnel.>> The duty is basically manning our 24-hour Tips-&-Leads phones in our> Intel Fusion Center in Hamilton. Pay = $27.00 per hour, w/o benefits.> Must have a clean record, be literate and articulate, and able to stay> cool under pressure!>> I request that you distruibute this info thru your networks and advise> anyone interested to contact me via e-mail: Thomas.Garrett@lps.state.nj.us>> Thanx and Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!! TOM>> Major General (Ret) George.T.Garrett> Deputy Assistant Director> New Jersey Office of Counter-Terrorism

Contest

Good Morning Everyone,

I received a package yesterday from Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), a partner with Operation Military Kids (OMK). In the package was 3 – 2006 calendars filled with students’ artwork and poems. These students range in age from 4 to 18 and are from across the country.
Now MCEC is looking for artwork, poems and essays for the On The Move magazine that will be published in April 2006 as well as for a 2007 calendar. The theme is Family Traditions help us Stay Connected. Children can submit their work but keep in mind, this work should reflect the theme in order to be considered. To ensure the child and school receives proper recognition, make sure all guidelines are met. The entries will be jury selected and entries will NOT be returned; they will be kept and stored by MCEC.

ENTRY GUIDELINES:
1. All artwork and poems must be about Family Traditions help us Stay Connected
2. Only original artwork and poems from any child grades Pre-K thru 12th will be accepted
3. Artwork will NOT be accepted via email or on disk. All work must be on paper.
4. Please do not submit any work that is copied from a book or clipart.
5. Please use BRIGHT COLORS.
6. Limit the size of the paper to 8 ½ X 11
7. ALL artwork must have a permission form signed by parent/guardian and attached to artwork. (attached to this email in a Word document)
8. All work must be clearly labeled on the back with the following information:
a. Child’s name
b. Grade
c. Teacher
d. School
e. School Address
f. Contact Phone Number
9. All entries must be postmarked by February 17, 2006
10. Work must be mailed to:
Military Child Education Coalition
ATTN: Denise Montana-Graham
108 E FM 2410, Suite D
Harker Heights, TX 76548

Please pass this along to anyone you think is interested. I hope we have some entries from NJ. J

Thank you,
Amanda Balas
New Jersey Youth/Teen Coordinator
3650 Saylors Pond Road
Fort Dix, NJ 08640
Work: 609-562-0742
Fax: 609-562-0552
Toll Free: 1-888-859-0352

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ARMS Needs Your Help

Hello;

ARMS will be having a Benefit Concert to help raise funds to continue helping the Military and their families..... Attached you will find a flyer which describes the concert..... Please pass this on to your friends and family. If you have any questions please feel free to call me at 732-890-4914. We look foward to seeing you there.

Ronnie
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Surveys & Scholarships

Good Morning,

Here are two websites that may interest you. The first one is a survey for deployed spouses. The second one is a $5,000.00 award for a graduating High School Senior. Please check them out, you may find something of interest. J


http://www.advancedsurvey.com/survey/header.asp


http://www.hitachifoundation.org/ deadline April 1, 2006

Thank you,

Amanda Balas
New Jersey Youth/Teen Coordinator
3650 Saylors Pond Road
Fort Dix, NJ 08640
Work: 609-562-0742
Fax: 609-562-0552
Toll Free: 1-888-859-0352

5-117th FRG

I am not sure if everyone knows that there is a website for the 5-117th Frg Vineland/Woodstown just wanted to send it out so you could add it to your favorites list www.angelfire.com/nj4/5-117thfrgvineland . The site may help you with any questions that you may have.

Thanks,

Colleen Cunning