Fun, learning and camaraderie at The Adaptive Sports Expo

Sandy served in the United States Army from 1980 to 1983 the year of her honorable medical discharge.  Her passion for helping veterans came to a head in 2017 when she formed her nonprofit organization, A Pawsibility 4 Veterans (apawsibility4veterans.org). She is also a certified I-Phone filmographer. Sandy spends her time with her own organization and in supporting the Cloverlane Foundation (cloverlanefoundation.org) in helping veterans in our community.

Veteran Warriors, was the only all-veteran power-soccer team invited by the United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA) to be a part of the Adaptive Sports Expo (A.S.E.) 2019 in Long Beach, CA. The event was held October 11, 2019, at the Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital (LBVA) at the Ernest Bors Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders Center, and held especially for Veterans and their families, athletes, non-profit organizations, community supporters, rehabilitation professionals and caregivers.

The A.S.E. is a full day exposition, “…allowing for participation and exploration in a wide variety of adaptive sports” including but not limited to soccer, basketball, rugby and even rock wall climbing. The goal is to increase awareness of local adaptive sports programs and to promote community participation.

The expo skyrocketed from 75 participants in 2015, to 750 participants in 2018, which proves the popularity of these events among veterans. LBVA put on an amazing event with vendors from as far away as Maine who came to show new equipment and advancements for our disabled veterans. With any luck, community support and donations, our veterans could soon have access to such equipment.

Veteran Warriors team members Willie Henderson and Johnny Sandoval said they really enjoyed the opportunity to meet fellow veterans and vendors. Johnny took the time to go into the hospital to visit Veterans. He then gave the veterans team insignia hats and his team identification card. All of the Veterans that received the hats and team identification cards are considered honorable members of Veteran Warriors. He explained how getting involved with wheelchair sports gave him his life back. It was amazing to see some of the Veterans requested their nurse aide to push their bed outside to see the expo up close and personal. Overall Willie and Johnny said it was a great day.

Kristina Chase of the Cloverlane Foundation, contributed to this article.

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Gerald Chase and his Cloverlane Foundation have once again invested its time and finances in the Hemet/San Jacinto American Legion and veterans of the valley.  This past week he funded a dinner at the post to celebrate and honor 100 years of dedicated service the post has dedicated itself to the veteran community of this valley and surrounding areas.  Mr. Chase is a devout supporter of veterans, their families and needs. 

Although his CLOVERLANE Foundation is not located in this area nor is he a resident here, he is one of those unusual men who seeks out veterans who have needs and takes care of them.  As an officer at the local post stated, “He is a blessing to us and we appreciate everything he does for us.”  That is echoed by hundreds of appreciative vets and the community at large.

The Harold W. Hyland American Legion Post is as old at the Legion itself since it was founded in the very first year as the parent organization – 1919.

Post 53 stages can boast many celebrities have trod it’s boards, including Bob Hope and his USO troops. . The post is open for breakfast for community members from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month for an all you can eat feast for $7 each.

Additionally, Commander Joe Males says, “We are open to the public for bingo every Tuesday.  Doors open at 3:30 P.M.   Games are from 6 to 9 P.M.  Participants usually run between 65 and 80, sometimes more.  “

The facility is staffed from Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2P.M. for walk-ins or folks with questions or needed resources.
What many in the community might not know., the Post is not just for Legionaries, they also have other groups: Riders, Sons, the auxiliary, scouts and others.  It is a busy post.

American Legion Riders volunteer every first Friday of the month to cook a Southern Fried Chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy with green beans, ham hock, roll and drink.  Not unlike those home cooked meals that veterans from the wars used to come home and in some places still do.

On the third Friday of the month the Auxiliary volunteers cook up a tasty Mexican dish consisting of 2 tacos, beans and rice and a can of soda.  The post will soon be opening up a Cantina where more potent beverages will be available, something that always attracts the younger members.

American Legion Sons Volunteer on the 4th Friday of every month for a spaghetti dinner that includes Garlic bread, salad and a drink.  All dinner meals are 8.00 per meal.

Currently Post 53 has 400 dues paying members.  Commander Males is proud to welcome, “veterans from all military branches.?

Post 53 is located at :124 N. Ramona street, just North of Florida Avenue in Hemet.
For further information: 951-658-2436 You might be wishing for just a place to hang out sometime.  Why not try it?  Come out to a dinner.  Bingo and dinners help support the Post and its many services to the community.

I’m a regular – look forward to seeing you there.  Just sayin’
rustystrait@gmail.com

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So many brave men and women choose to make the sacrifice to serve our great country, and as a result of their devotion to service often leads to injuries sustained in battle or service and results in a loss of freedom due to these injuries. The Veterans Mobility Project gives back to those that sacrificed so much, by providing a way for these Soldiers to regain some of that freedom.

Having the ability to be independent is something we often take for granted. Going outside to enjoy a day at the park or just rolling up to the market without having to rely on someone else can make all the difference in a quality of life that is worth living and feeling the personal satisfaction of being self-sufficient. Pride begins to show in their faces and attitudes as they become accustomed to meeting their personal needs of independence. These men and women of our armed forces have given so much of themselves for our freedom, Veterans Mobility Projects gives some of that freedom back.

In 2017, the question was asked, “How do we provide Veterans with mobility issues easier access to the devices they need? Cloverlane Foundation was instrumental in developing the partnership to bring the Veterans Mobility Project to be realized. Gerald Chase of Cloverlane Foundation, Michael Wofford of Empire Mobility and Russell Mills of American Legion Post 53 teamed up to design this project, and it has become successful in assisting the Veterans within the local communities to expedite getting a mobility device that meets their personal needs. From power wheelchairs, power scooters, to devices tailored to help veterans perform their daily activities. We will also provide a Rollator as a rehabilitation device for a less severely injured veteran. This device will aid the individual and provide stability when walking. It will have brakes, a seat to rest when needed and a storage compartment for personal belongings. Honorably discharged veterans within our local communities are able to apply and obtain the benefits of this program enabling us to provide mobility assistance devices to those in need free of charge with all maintenance included at no cost. This can be accomplished faster than applying through the usual red tape of government agencies.

All applications will be evaluated at no cost to determine the need for assistance as well as the type of device from power wheelchairs to lesser devices. The application process is simplified to speed up the approval process so awards can be promptly made. These mobility devices are awarded at public venues as awards to promote the program and grow community support. If you are interested in further information or would consider a donation to the Veterans Mobility Project, please contact Russell Mills of American Legion Post 53 at (951) 658-2436 or Michael Wofford of Empire Mobility of Hemet at (951) 330-0395 Veterans Mobility Projects are a 501c3 Charity Organization, and your donations are tax-deductible.

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