AMVETS 2012 Spirit of America Youth Conference
Each Year, AMVETS National Headquarters hosts the Spirit of America Youth Conference held at the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, PA. The unique four-day event focuses on early U.S. history, the “Founding Fathers”, plus the impact and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. To qualify for the conference trip, a National essay contest is held for high school students hoping to participate, and AMVETS sponsors the winner from each state. This year AMVETS Department of California Service Foundation (Team AMVETS™) was able to send 55 high school students and 10 adult chaperones to the event, all thanks to the support from donors and shoppers at the Team AMVETS Thrift Stores.
The event, which includes team building, a Constitution seminar, a trip to historic Philadelphia including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, is capped off by a Sunday tour of Valley Forge and George Washington’s Headquarters. “Team AMVETS is proud to participate and help fund this experience for these great high school students”, said Charles Kissel, AMVETS California Foundation Executive Director. “The conference encourages these young adults to embrace the courage of America’s Founding Fathers and carry their spirit as they transition into tomorrow’s leaders.”
“Everyone involved had a great time, made new friends and learned a few things about the creation of our country,” continued Kissel. The Spirit of America Youth Conference is carried out under the National AMVETS Americanism program and is warranted under the 1947 AMVETS charter with Congress to advocate the development and means by which all Americans may become enlightened and informed citizens to participate fully in the functions of our democracy. Plans are already underway for the 2013 Youth Leadership Conference.
About Team AMVETS: AMVETS Department of California Service Foundation is a not-for-profit veterans’ organization committed to helping honorably discharged veterans and their families in California and Nevada. Team AMVETS has five thrift stores in California, including three in the San Diego area, one in Long Beach and one in Fresno. AMVETS provides no-cost legal counsel via the AMVETS Legal Clinic and more than 40 certified Service Officers to help veterans in dealings with the Veterans’ Administration on matters including disability compensation, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pension, education, employment and other benefits. Funding is raised through membership fees, donations and the Team AMVETS thrift stores owned and operated by the Foundation. Veterans do not have to be a member of AMVETS to receive services. Please visit www.teamamvetsthriftstores.com or www.teamamvets.com for more information or call (877) 990-VETS.
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