National Charity

For many years, SGMP's chapters and members have made an annual contribution to a national charity as part of our National Education Conference. SGMP is very proud to announce the selection of the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) as the national charity for the 2011 NEC in Norfolk—a city with a rich military and naval history.

Our NEC host cities always provide outstanding hospitality and resources to ensure SGMP members have a most successful conference each year. SGMP always strives to leave an imprint on the community that has welcomed our attendees with open arms. The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to approximately 820,000 veterans…which means that one of every 10 citizens is a veteran. We are confident that—through our members' generous support of VWWP—we can have an impact in our host state.

VWWP is a legislatively-mandated program operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in cooperation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Rehabilitative Services. It was established in 2008 in response to the growing need to improve and expand services to our nation's veterans and their family members whose lives have been touched by stress-related injuries or traumatic brain injury.

SGMP's Old Dominion chapter (based out of Richmond, VA) will spearhead SGMP's efforts to raise funds this year for a cause and a program to which we are all connected simply by being an American. The next six months will be an opportunity for each chapter to begin its promotions and work closely with chapter president Joyce Fogg and chapter immediate past president Gloria Colvin to make the national charity a success. The program's newest campaign-"We are Virginia Veterans"-is targeted to reach all eras of veterans and their family members who may benefit from the services and draw strength from the Virginia communities and national supporters such as SGMP.

All chapters and members will soon receive information from our Old Dominion chapter on the 2011 SGMP national charity. For more information now on the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, visit www.wearevirginiaveterans.org.

Please download the national charity order form to purchase items that will show your support at the 2011 SGMP National Education Conference. For information about ordering and the charity please contact Gloria Colvin at gloria.colvin@vec.virginia.gov or 804-786-8225, or Joyce Fogg at joyce.fogg@vec.virginia.gov or 804-786-7592.