November 2008 - Larry Dandridge, VP for Veteran Affairs led the way to get disabled female troop (single mom, with no car, no job, no money, parents disabled, husband was killed, child was injured in day care) a good job. Helped her write good resume, got her resume to all AUSA Chapter members and many others, go her $600.00 grant and got her a good job at EMAINC!!!!!
June 2008 - 1530 hours, Monday, 1 July 2008. Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Acting Administrator and Director of Patient and Nursing Services (Blonde Lady) and Mrs. Carolyn Martel, Director of Volunteer Services (shorter lady) accept a check for $2500.00 from Maj (Ret) Bill Whatley (Treasurer and Secretary of Chas Sc Chapter) and LTC (Ret) Larry Dandridge (President of Charleston Chapter). This makes $11,000 the chapter has donated to the VA Hospital in the past 2.5 years.
Approved $300.00 grant for severely injured Veteran (enlisted soldier who was wounded in Iraq--gun shot and IED injuries) and was hit by a car in SC.
Raised in an emergency one day fund drive $1300.00 for a severely disabled Army Veteran form OIF--gun shot and head injuries and reinjured when hit by car in USA. Presented severely disabled (gun shot, IED head injuries, and now hit by car in USA) Army Vet (young enlisted Man Jeremy McKee with $1300.00 totla to help him pay bills while going thru in patient rehab at VA Hospital in VA--he lives in Chalreston SC.
May 2008 - Bill Whatley presented a check form the Charleston SC Chapter of a (Wounded Troops Fund) check to single Mom, SGT Karen Hughes, and injured Iraq Vet (NG) getting $300.00 check from our chapter. She is unable to work, has no VA disability compensation, and is out of money and was thrilled with the help.
April 2008 - The Charleston Chapter gave a $250 Grant to a Wounded Warrior, James Levesque, who was in Charleston for Treatment at the VA Medical Center (Operation). VA paid for his basic expenses, but did not help with his wife' expenses. This grant was for that purpose.
The Charleston Chapter gave a $500.00 grant to Dee Scott, a Wounded Warrior from Columbia, SC, who was in Charleston for treatment at the VA Medical Center here. He just received his disability determination but has not yet begun drawing VA Compensation.
February 2008 - Charleston's Chapter 2008 supported the Wounded Warrior Drive by having Chapter President Larry Dandridge interview with Channel 4 News to raise funds for troops wounded and killed. We gave this troop a $2000.00 grant to a deserving Soldier and his wife and helped him and his wife get good jobs!!!!!
Chas, SC Chapter has adopted the Chas, Sc Recruiting Company and spent over $27,000.00 on meals and speakers, and parties for Recruiting Company troops and families in 2007 and 2008.
January 2008 - On December 24, 2007, the Charleston Chapter Secretary/Treasurer received an email from local Red Cross Representative (Volunteer), stating that a Wounded Warrior and his family needed financial support. (See attached copy of Email). After immediate investigation and confirmation of need, the Charleston Chapter WW/Survivors Disbursement committee decided to give this WW $300.00. Treasurer Bill Whatley traveled to Summerville SC and met with person coordinating this assistance and gave him a check issued to the Soldier, Shaun Rodey, (3rd Infantry Division)
December 2007 - Invited 100% disabled (wounded Marine) and his wife to our Chapter Holiday Party. Our chapter got him and his wife good jobs and gave them $2000.00!
On January 22, 2007, 1st VP Bill Whatley of the Charleston Chapter delivered 32 Quilts of Valor to Womack Army Hospital. These Quilts are to be given to Wounded Warriors who are now or in the future being treated at Womack. SC Quilts of Valor is a Corporate Member of the Charleston Chapter. This delivery saved the QOV organization approximately $120 in shipping costs. Attached are photos of Quilts being received by Womack Chaplain Father Langston.
September 2006 - AUSA's Charleston Chapter is providing volunteers to serve food, clean up, and man a membership table at the SC Army National Guard's Deployment Processing of their 218th Heavy Mechanized Infantry Brigade. This event is scheduled for 14 Oct 2006, Saturday from 0930 to 1700 hours, at the old Charleston SC Naval Base. Larry Dandridge, VP for Programs, Membership, and Veteran Affairs is coordinating the volunteer effort and membership table.