AARON A. WEAVER CHAPTER 776

CITRUS COUNTY, FLORIDA

MEETINGS

Chapter meetings are at 1:15 p.m. on the third Tuesday of  January, March, May July, September and November.  

LOCATION

Citrus County Resource Center and VA Clinic, 2804 W Marc Knighton Court, Lecanto (Off of C.R. 491).

Military Order of the Purple Heart

CHAPTER PURPOSE  

To preserve the proud legacy of the Purple Heart Medal.

The Fifth Year: 2008-09

June 1, 2008 – May 31, 2009

Membership

During the Fifth Year, Chapter 776 gained 20 new life members representing a regular membership growth of 25% for 2008-09 and 588% since the chapter was formed in April 2004.  Chapter 776’s associate member program, instituted in November 2005, declined from a peak of 52 in 2008-09 to 30 representing a 43% decrease.  As of May 31, 2009, Chapter 776 had 100 regular members and 31 associate members for a total membership of 131.  Regular membership is comprised of 100 life members with the associate membership comprised of 20 life members and 11 annual members, representing a 35% increase in associate life members.  Ladies Auxiliary membership remained at 12 with 3 life members and 9 annual auxiliary members.  Sadly, three Chapter 776 Patriots passed away during the Fifth Year.  Bataan Death March survivor Patriot Steve Raymond died September 7.  Patriot James Peck died February 27.  And, Patriot Agostino “Gus” LoPorto died April 9.  Patriot Ernest Tucker was named Chapter 776 Patriot of the Year and Sgt. Neville Anderson, USMC, Ret. became Chapter 776’s first honorary member.  

Fundraising Activities

During the Fifth Year, Chapter 776 raised a grand total of $7,734.56.  Viola fundraising drives, assisted by JROTC and Young Marine volunteers, were conducted in September, October and November raising $3,485.50.  Other fundraising efforts netted $3,249.06.  The chapter also received a $1,000.00 grant donation from the Homosassa Wal-Mart.  The Chapter 776/Citrus County Tax Collector Office findraising partnership raised $6,184.57 for the benefit of the Citrus County Veterans Foundation, which provides emergency assistance grants to needy honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses.  Since its inception in 2004, the partnership has raised $29,041.58.

Charitable Activities

Per Chapter 776 By-Laws, monies raised, less fundraising expenses, are allocated as follow: Citrus County Veterans Foundation 30%; Chapter 776 Central Florida Community College (CFCC) Endowed Scholarship 20%; Purple Heart Service Foundation 10%.  Chapter 776 By-laws also authorize donations to area JROTC/Young Marine units and recognition of community organizations and individuals.  Per Department of Florida MOPH By-laws, Chapter 776 fundraising monies are also assessed 10%.  During the Fifth Year, Chapter 776 donated the following charitable gifts: Citrus County Veterans Foundation, $2,192.00; CFCC Foundation Citrus Campus Learning and Conference Center Building Fund, $1,000.00; CFCC Endowed Scholarship, $500.00; Nature Coast Young Marines, $200.00; Lecanto HS AJROTC $100.00; Crystal River NJROTC $100.00 plus Department of Florida fundraising and per capita assessments totaling $439.74.  Chapter 776 also presented Purple Heart Service Foundation grants totaling $2,200.00.  Grand total for charitable giving during the Fifth Yea was $6,731.74.

Legacy Activities

In support of its purpose “To promote the proud legacy of the Purple Heart Medal”, Chapter 776 conducted or participated in 80 activities.  Five commemorative events were conducted: Flag Day presentation (June 14); Purple Heart breakfast (August 7); Pearl Harbor dinner (December 7); Purple Heart ceremony commemorating George Washington and honoring Citrus County’s fallen and wounded heroes (February); and Armed Forces Day picnic (May).  The chapter’s Fourth Annual Purple Heart Ceremony had over 300 persons in attendance.  Also, the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed August 7, 2008 Purple Heart Day.  Monthly coffee/donut support for patients of the local VA CBOC was launched in June.  The chapter participated in seven JROTC annual awards ceremonies; Veterans Day parade and memorial service; massing of the colors ceremony; two veterans’ fairs; 10 classroom visitations; 10 Purple Heart history presentations; and a GWOT memorial plaque presentation.  MOPH Distinguished Service Awards were also presented to four organizations and eight individuals.  Chapter 776 activities were featured in five of the six bi-monthly editions of the Purple Heart Magazine.

Annual Report