Presidents Report October 2025
Presidents Report October 2025
We are looking for a financial officer to take over the day-to-day
activities that Don Cammus now preforms. We have someone in mind
and we will be reaching out in the next few weeks.
Sandy Conville and I met with the Slice representative and were trained
to use the new card readers. We can now accept credit card donations
at all events. The daily reporting system Slice provides allows us to track
and record donation activities. We now have two card readers that are
easy to use, one will be on site with the Mobile Museum, the other at
the Lawrence House. Additional members will be trained to use these.
MSgt. Crystal Malsom spoke to us last month about the 514th Air Wing
and her volunteer project of running the “Attic” donation center on the
base. She filled us in on the needs and possibly we can help them with
items we have to donate. Last month I took a load of donations from
our house to the “Attic”, Crystal and I arranged a pickup of a couch and
today we are arranging a donation of a recliner. Reach out if you have
things to donate, clothes are always in demand, furniture, small
appliances etc. are also needed. The Joint Base welcomes new families
on a constant basis, many arrive with minimal household furniture and
the basics to set up a home. If you have usable items laying around,
consider a donation to the “Attic”.
The email is jbmdlatticdb@gmail.com
They cannot accept used mattresses, used bed pillows, used car seats,
preowned helmets, OLD appliances and tube TV’s. Contact the website
to discuss pickup or drop off if you have Base access.
On September 27, John Lowden and I met with a few American Legion
members from around the area at the Lawrence House. They enjoyed
the tour and with their help, we moved some furniture and our
refrigerator into the conference room to set up a coffee bar. We can
now serve coffee at our Exec. Meetings and at any organizations holding
meetings there.
On October 3, I attended the Chiefs Golf Outing sponsored by the 87th
Chiefs council. It was a great event with a large turnout to support the
fund raiser for those in need at JBMDL. Next year AFHM will be a hole
sponsor to show our support.
On October 7, Marvel Carrol represented the AFHM at the RCBC
Veterans outreach event. I was unable to attend due to a prior
commitment. One of the attendees from Legion Post 26 let me know
our presence was appreciated and Marvel sold some 50/50 tickets.
Last month we began to discuss a Women Veterans Expo where they
could bring their uniforms, and memorabilia to display, share stories
and just be together. Lisa Fox-Pfeifer from the BCHS has agreed to
sponsor two future events to kick off the program. We are meeting
with her to finalize a November speaker series event on the 16th. We
also have a potential date set aside on March 15 for an event during
Women’s history month. The AFHM and the BCHS will work together
with the “South Jersey Women Veterans” team make these events a
success. Constance Cotton and her team have lots of great ideas and
working with them in the future will bring great rewards for all of us.
A few months ago, Don Cammus let us know that the Bordentown Elks
Lodge 2085 were looking for donations for the Vineland Veterans home.
They asked for socks, tissues, games, puzzles, candy etc. Our members
stepped up, and we got help from others. Last week a call came from
Assemblywoman Carol Murphy’s office offering items donated by her
team. I picked up 6 cases of sundries from them to add to our collection
efforts. Don Cammus collected the donations our members had put
together, and among all of us we had many items for the project. Good
job to all involved. On a side note, John Lowden also picked up
donations from Assemblywoman Murphy, and Legion Post 79 donated
them to Veterans Haven South, at Ancora.
Now on to a new project, the Chapel of the Four Chaplains is asking for
new socks to donate for the Christmas season. Nelson Mellitz and I will
head up the project, so please grab some socks when you go to the box
store etc. Homeless Veterans in Philadelphia are always in need of
these, especially during the winter. Please help with this great project.
Our annual dinner honoring Bob Dutko and Bob Von Bargen is only 3
weeks away. If you have not gotten your registration in, please do it as
soon as you can. It will be a fun night with great food at O’Conners and
a great time with friends.
We continue selling our 50/50 tickets for the drawing on December
12th at our Christmas party. Please keep up the effort in making this
year’s prize higher than last year!!!
Thank you,
Bryan Branson
President AFHM
