Heroes Honor Ball raises money for veterans services

Heroes Honor Ball raises money for veterans services
SKOWHEGAN — The Heroes Honor Ball was recently held at T&B’s Celebration Center to raise fmoney for Veterans Administration Volunteer Services at the VA Healthcare Systems-Togus hospital. The event was sponsored by Tiara Nile (Mrs. New Vineyard), who is a participant in the upcoming Mrs. Maine America Pageant to be held on April 11 in Portland. Nile presented a check for $710 for VAVS. The VAVS is an ongoing program that provides for the comfort of the patients. Money is used for such things as canteen books, Christmas parties, pizza parties, beano, barbecues, free coffee and newspapers in all the waiting rooms. They also sponsoring the Annual Veterans Creative Arts Festival, at which the veterans create pieces of art, creative writing, dance, drama or music to be showcased. The winners of each category goes on to the national level. This year’s festival was on Feb. 26. The largest portion of the money is used for providing comfort items/toiletries to the veterans who are hospitalized at Togus. The VAVS buys or receives donations of hotel-sized items such as shampoo, lotion, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, etc., and distributes the items accordingly.

PHOTO: Mary Jane Mcloon, chairwoman of VAVS Department of Maine American Legion Auxiliary; Jonathan Barczyc, acting chief of VAVS and Tiara Nile (Mrs. New Vineyard). (Submitted photo)