The United Black Veterans Society of Virginia (UBVSV) held its 6th annual Community Awareness Educational Forum on August 22. This free event was open to the public and held in the Melrose Branch Library Conference Room from 11:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Offerings included Felon Restoration of Voters’ Rights training and assistance with form preparation. In addition, Resume Preparation, Ex-offender Friendly Job Points of Contacts were provided along with important employment tips & suggestions. Free Snacks & beverages were available as well as Health Educational data, Health Diagnostic Screenings, and inspirational and religious handouts and data. Critical community points of contact and handouts were also available. The group also provided the usual Free Thrift Store for homeless members of society that consisted of free clothes, shoes, food, toys, DVDs,CDs, &VHS movies, books, and magazines, etc.
The Officers and members of the UBVS of VA are deeply grateful to everyone who came out to take advantage of all of the offerings, and especially to the teenagers and young adults from the community at large who came out to support this event. Special kudos also to the Melrose Library staff, Progressive Democrats America; The Roanoke Tribune and WTOY Radio station for the excellent promotion they offered which helped to make this community event a success for the sixth year in a row. Especially appreciated is the excellent coverage by Mat Morrison and WDBJ-TV-Channel 7 news of this event and for sharing it for two days with those who missed it.
Founded January 1, 2010, the UBVSV is a very active Civil Rights, Veterans Rights and humanitarian organization. It is a non-profit, IRS 501(c)(3) organization that emphasizes education, charity, and religious principles and values. Annual Voter’s Registration and Membership Drives are also conducted.
The organization is non-discrimatory, open to all branches, and has an auxiliary for civilians interested in joining. There is also a Greek Component of this organization, Sigma Phi Tau that inducted 9 new Sigma members on June 27, 2015. Joseph Bruer, Herbert Couser, William Holland, Troy Merchant, April Younger-Hunter, Bessie V. Hurt, James Mallette, Houston Otey, and Algie Proctor were welcomed as new Sigmas’ into the organization after their successful pledge period. The Crossing Over ceremony was held in the Conference Rooms at The Crossroads Golden Coral.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the organization, joining, volunteering time, or making donations is welcome to contact Vice-Commander/ SFC(RET) Sheila Mitchell at 540-353-3891, or MAJ(RET) Deborah Saunders at 540-892-3343(cell) or 366-2665 (home).
