JWV Copper State Post 619 – 25th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Back row (left to right): Joyce Spartonos, Shirley Gersten, Lee Ross, Glenda Warshaw. Front row (left to right): Myra Buckkner, Adrian Bendick (co-chair), Nancy Stutman (co-chair). Members not pictured: Carol Pessin, Viv Sloane, Shelly Henden, Gabe Forsberg
Nancy Stutman
Sun Lakes, AZ (Feb. 1, 2019) – Copper State Post 619 of the Jewish War Veterans will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a gala luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, April 7, at Oakwood Country Club, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes. The event will pay tribute to the devoted, hardworking members of the JWV Copper State Post 619 who for the past 12 years have donated an average of $34,000 annually to local organizations that support veterans.
“It is part of our mission to fund Arizona organizations which support all veterans,” said Leo Pessin, JWV Post 619 Commander. “We look forward to honoring our dedicated volunteers including several charter members at the luncheon, along with the amazing work of some very special organizations.”
The luncheon will feature brief presentations from 10 veterans organizations supported by the JWV Post. These include Arizona Veterans Stand Down Alliance, American Service Animal Society, Veterans Furniture Center, Veteran Tickets Foundation (VetTix), Unified Arizona Veterans, Catholic Charities MANA House, U.S. Vets – Grand Avenue, Veterans First LTD, the VA Medical Center and the Arizona State Veteran Home.
Local companies and individuals are supporting the event by sponsoring tables for each of the veterans organizations. Sponsors include Foothills Physical Therapy, Precious Elements, Renaissance, Coolidge Law Firm, Energy Savings Group Inc, Sante, Hospice of the Valley, East Valley Jewish Community Center, Sun Lakes Chandler Animal Clinic and Associated Internists of Ahwatukee.
Tickets for the luncheon are $35 payable to JWV Copper State Post 619. The luncheon includes a choice of prime rib, grilled salmon or vegetarian. To purchase tickets, contact Adrian Bendick at 480-510-1733. Tickets must be purchased by March 25, 2019.
JWV Post 619 members participate in philanthropic activities to help Jewish and non-Jewish veterans. During the past 25 years, JWV Post 619 has held parties at the U.S. Veterans Home and VA Hospital, served refreshments at VA clinics, supported Fisher House in Tucson, refurbished rooms at the Arizona State Veteran Home and sold poppies at supermarkets to support hospitalized and homeless veterans. They’ve also supported veterans who’ve returned from the Middle East with significant problems, and purchased a van and bicycles to assist veterans in getting to the VA Hayden Hospital. Support is provided to veterans of all religions and beliefs.
The Copper State JWV Post 619 was re-established on August 24, 1994, by a group of 13 Jewish veterans and patrons living in Sun Lakes. It grew out of an original East Valley chapter chartered in 1985 that was only active for a few years. JWV dates back to 1896 when a group of Jewish Civil War veterans organized the Hebrew Union Veterans, an organization that later became the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. It is the oldest Congressionally-chartered veterans organization in the USA.
Post membership is open to both Jewish veterans and patrons. Patron status may be designated to both veterans and non-veterans of other religions. For membership information, please contact Bob Brooks at 480-558-1822 or Ron Siegel at 480-773-6461.