Dubois County 77

Background of image has very light white and grey stripes. On the left half is the short BVA logo with three stars and the letters "BVA" stacked. To the right of the logo is text that reads "Happenings." At the bottom is text that reads "Bringing you updates and news from the Blinded Veterans Association and partners." Membership Claims Programs Calendar February 2, 2024 Around BVA Winter to End Early in 2024? Phil Fails to See Shadow at Sunrise! BVA members and their families throughout the country may be able to look forward to a quick end to winter weather, at least according to the semi-mythical groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil who woke up and did not see his shadow earlier today. The much-heralded event, an actual ceremony in front of thousands of spectators and a national audience viewing early morning network news programming, took place in the town of Punxsutawney on the western side of Pennsylvania. Read more. BVA Awards Program Nominations Due April 26 Do you know an unsung hero, tirelessly contributing to the betterment of BVA? Our Awards Program stands as a beacon, celebrating the exceptional accomplishments of our fellow blind and low vision veterans, as well as the unwavering commitment they exhibit in supporting their comrades. However, it is not just about our veterans. The program extends its spotlight to the extraordinary professionals and volunteers who go above and beyond, crafting a legacy of selfless service that resonates in the hearts of veterans and their families. Read more. Nominations for District Director Elections Now Underway BVA is pleased to announce the elections for Directors of Districts 2 and 4. As outlined in Article 6 of the BVA National Bylaws, these crucial roles represent the voices and needs of members residing in their respective districts. Read more. BVA Lauds Bipartisan Effort to Create Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility U.S. Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4) and Brian Mast (R-FL-21), two members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the House of Representatives, earlier this week introduced a bipartisan bill with far-reaching future implications for blind and low vision veterans and other people with disabilities. The legislation, enthusiastically supported by BVA, stands to jumpstart conversations and comprehensive work to ensure that those with disabilities can utilize ride hailing autonomous technology in the form of driverless vehicles. Read more. Not a BVA Member but Still Want to Offer Support? Join BVAA Now! The BVA Auxiliary (BVAA) is comprised of family members, caregivers, friends, and supporters united in the just cause of ensuring that our country will make good on its promises to those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. The Auxiliary offers a community of lifelong friendship and encouragement when our veterans and their families face adversity. If you are interested in joining BVAA for a nominal dues fee, click here. Then, click on the application button, which will download the form. Complete the application, print it, and mail it to the address listed at the bottom. Apply Now to Meet April 30 Scholarship Deadline Look into opportunities offered by BVA's Kathern F. Gruber Scholarships for spouses, dependent children, and grandchildren of blind and low vision veterans seeking support for their higher education tuition. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are due April 30 for the five awards valued at $2,000 each. The scholarship can be a valuable help to students and their families. Read more. Four Chaplains Day Recalls the Highest in Sacrifice, Courage, Heroism Tomorrow, February 3, 2024, is the 81st anniversary of the sinking of the United States Army Transport (USAT) Dorchester and numerous legendary acts of selflessness by four U.S. Army Chaplains, all representing different faiths, who found themselves together onboard. In all likelihood but still uncertain, the feats of the four Chaplains consumed little more than an hour onboard the ship. Read more. Ways to Give Explore the New Online BVA Store Stylized image of various gear available through the BVA store. Back left is a white button shirt with the BVA logo on the left chest. Back right is a dark blue fleece jacket with the BVA logo on the left chest. Front left is a dark blue ball cap with the BVA logo on the front. Front right is a folded image of the BVA sport polo with the BVA logo on the left chest. Photo caption: a sampling of the BVA branded gear you can buy at The Supply Room. As the BVA continues to work with the new vendor, The Supply Room, the items available will expand. For now, there are a few items ready for purchase. A portion of each sale is donated back to the Association. If you require assistance when placing your order, you may contact the company directly at 1-800-458-5180. BVA National Headquarters is interested in member feedback about the site and the merchandise. To check on item availability in the BVA Store, click here! To read a letter to BVA Store patrons from The Supply Room, click here. Ambassadog Scoop Series Courtesy of Waymo Guide Dog Donald Passes Frisbee Donald (left) and Tavi (right) lie together under the Valor Games inflatable arch. Photo caption: Donald (left) and Tavi (right) lie together under the Valor Games inflatable arch. I have enjoyed serving as the first Ambassadog for the Blinded Veterans Association and its weekly BVA Happenings. I have loved sharing the scoop about my life as a working guide dog and some other informational nibbles. Recently, I was even stopped for a paw print by some of my fans. I would like to extend a paw shake to our friends at Waymo for their continuing support of BVA, and for paving the path for a safer and more accessible future for all of us. Read more. VA Insider New Grant Funds Available for Organizations Addressing Veteran Homelessness The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced this week a Notice of Funding Opportunity for some $5 million in grants per year (for up to two years) that will help veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The funds are available to eligible community organizations that provide veterans with transitional housing and case management—including connecting them to VA benefits, community-based services, and permanent housing. Read more. Look to Personal Development to Resolve Life’s Uncertainties and Live Whole Health When first leaving the service, Navy Veteran Tammy D’Alesandro did not know what to do, where to go, or even what she liked. However, after discovering the principles of personal development through living Whole Health, she discusses how personal development has transformed her life, making her more compassionate toward herself and allowing her to cultivate a richer life experience day to day than she would have otherwise had. Personal development doesn’t have to be physical improvement — Tammy focused on getting to know herself inside, becoming happier and healthier in the process. To read and view what Tammy shares about her experience, click here. Upcoming Events Next Week’s VetTech to Focus on Clew Join BVA’s VetTech team on Wednesday, February 7, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, for our Weekly Wednesday Webinar as we welcome Dr. Paul Ruvolo, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Olin College of Engineering and the developer of Clew, an indoor path tracing navigation app. Dr. Paul Ruvolo's work focuses on leveraging smartphone technology to create assistive technology for the blind. Read more. Chaplains Nationwide Invited to Collaborate in Upcoming Thursday Virtual Session BVA’s regional group chaplains, both elected and appointed, are invited to attend an hour-long multi-faith group meeting via Zoom on Thursday, February 8, at 11:00am Eastern Time under the direction of National Chaplain Kennith Harvey. Read more.