April 2017 Newsletter
Veterans Strong Community Center
Donna Dognin
Veterans Assistance Specialist
Bristol City Hall
111 North Main Street
Bristol, CT 06010
860.584.6258
[email protected]
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(The VSCC is an independent information
and resource center sponsored by the
Bristol Veterans Council, Inc.,
a 501(C)(3) non-profit.)
Holiday Closure
The Veterans Strong Community Center will
be closed on Friday, April 14th in observance of Good Friday.
The Center will be closed on Monday, April
17th due to jury duty obligation. Please
check Facebook or voicemail that morning
for updated information.
Closed Tuesday, April 25th to attend Heroes
4 Hire Event; Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’
Fund available 9 am—12 pm.
Meet the Volunteers
The Veterans Strong Community Center is
partnered with the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and
Marines’ Fund, a financial assistance program
administered by the American Legion Department of Connecticut. The Bristol fund rep volunteers are trained by the head-quarter staff
and receive updates to the program requirements periodically. Although the Bristol site has
seen some volunteer staff changes over the
years, currently there are two knowledgeable
and helpful volunteers—Sherri and Darlene.
Both ladies bring their own life experiences in
providing assistance to Veterans and Families
eligible for the program, as well as referring
“clients” to the VSCC staff for any additional programs and services that might be available.
The current hours for the Soldiers’’, Sailors’
and Marines’ Fund in Bristol are Tuesdays 9
am—12 pm and Thursdays 9 am—2:30 pm. You
may contact the fund volunteers at 860-5846255; or the VSCC Staff at 860-584-6258.
Local Events and VSCC Service Providers for April 2017
Sat Apr 1, 2017 - Sun Apr 2, 2017
All day
Fishing & Hunting Show 2017
Where: Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT
Tue Mar 7, 2017
12pm - 3pm
American Legion VSO at the VSCC
Wed Apr 5, 2017
6: 30pm - 8: 30pm BVC Meeting at Bristol City Hall – Council Chambers
Tue Mar 14, 2017
9: 30am - 4: 30pm VAe - Veterans Assembled electronics at VSCC
Fri Apr 14, 2017
All day
Veterans Strong Community Center Closed
Mon Apr 17, 2017
All day
Veterans Strong Community Center Closed
Tue Apr 18, 2017
12pm - 3pm
American Legion VSO at the VSCC
Wed Apr 19, 2017
VSCC Open Late Until 7 PM
1pm - 7pm
AW2 Advocate at VSCC
Thu Apr 20, 2017
10 am - 3pm
State of CT at the Veterans Strong Community Center
Fri Apr 21, 2017 – Sun Apr 23, 2017
All Day
Purple Up! For Military Kids
Al l Day
PTSD Retreat
W here: Proj ect New Hope, Gr ot onwood Cam p, 167 Prescot t Rd., G roton, MA
Local Events and VSCC Service Providers for April 2017
Continued. . .
Tue Apr 25, 2017
VSCC Closed for Heroes 4 Hire Fair
11am - 3pm
Heroes 4 Hire Hiring Fair by CT DOL
Where: Rentschler Field Stadium, 615 Silver Ln, East Hartford, CT
Wed Apr 26, 2017
All Day
Veterans Small Business Series: Spring 2017
Where: CT DVA, 287 West St., Rocky Hill, CT
6pm - 8pm
2017 Military Service Academy Night
W her e: MG Maurice Rose Armed Forces Reserve Center, 375 Smith St., Middletown
Thu Apr 27, 2017
All Day
Veterans Small Business Series: Spring 2017
Where: CT DVA, 287 West St., Rocky Hill, CT
6pm - 10pm
Give Back Night at The W illows, Doubletree Hilton Bristol
W her e: Doubletree Hilton, 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT
Fri Apr 28, 2017
7pm - 11pm
Rockin with the Vets Dance Party - VFW New Britain
Where: Veterans of Foreign Wars, 41 Veterans Dr., New Britain, CT
If you would like more information on any of these events, or would like the VSCC to help promote your own local organization’s Veteran or Military—focused event, please contact the VSCC.
Job Fair Season is upon us. If you would like information on any job /
career fairs that come across the Center, please ask to be included in the
email distribution for “Job Fairs” or like the Facebook page.
Email Donna at: [email protected]
Save the Date!
Thursday, April 27th
6—10 pm
The Willows Restaurant
Doubletree Hilton Bristol
Give Back Night!
Help Support the Veterans Strong
Community Center!
Join the Bristol Veterans Council as we salute members of the class of 2017 who have
chosen to enter the military or attend one of the military academies.
7th Annual Salute Dinner
Friday, May 19th—5 pm
Nuchies Restaurant in Forestville
Tickets $25 / person
For more information contact Donna at the VSCC 860-584-6258
Or Russ Trudel, Bristol Veterans Council Chair, 860-585-1715
Month of Military Child
The Department of Defense has declared
April the month of the military child. Although we
should always acknowledge the special sacrifice
and resiliency of military children, the month of
April is specially designated to really highlight
these special children.
In particular, people can show their support for military children by participating in Purple Up! For Military Kids on April 21, 2017. This
is a day for communities to wear purple to show
their support and thanks to military children for
their strength and sacrifices. Purple symbolizes
the combined colors of all braches of the
military—Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air
Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue. The
VSCC would love to share your pictures of Purple
Up! For Military Kids on our Facebook page.
Please submit your pictures to
[email protected].
There are activities and special events all
month long. For specific information, please
check out the Facebook page for CT National
Guard Child & Youth Program. For additional
resources for Military Children / Families, please
contact the VSCC.