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The Second Year: 2005-06
June 1, 2005 - May 30, 2006
Membership
During the Second Year, Chapter 776 increased its membership rolls with the addition of 18 new members. This represents a regular membership growth of 56% for the year. Of these new members, 13 are life members and five annual members. Additionally, Chapter 776 instituted an associate member program in November and has 16 associate members on the rolls as of May 31.
For its recruiting efforts during the 1st Quarter, 2006, Chapter 776 was one of 44 chapters nationwide and one of four chapters statewide to be recognized by National Headquarters for recruiting five or more members or associate members and received a briefcase size recruiting display.
Presently, Chapter 776 has 50 members and 16 associate members. This represents a regular membership growth of 300% since the chapter's organizational meeting in April 2004. The regular membership is comprised of 37 life members and 13 annual members.
Of the 16 associate members, 11 are life members and five annual members.
Fundraising Activities
During the Second Year, Chapter 776 conducted its semi-annual viola fundraising drives in August and February. Each drive used area JROTC cadets to assist in the fundraising effort with approximately three-dozen cadets participating. The August viola drive raised $2,016.40 and the February viola drive $5, 221.00 for an annual total of $7,237.40. Additionally, Chapter 776 conducted its sustaining monthly flag fundraising effort raising approximately $750.00.
Chapter 776 also partnered with the Citrus County Tax Collector Office to raise money for the Citrus County Veterans Foundation, which provides emergency assistance grants to needy honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses. This year's partnership effort netted $ 4,060.76.
Charitable Activities
Per Chapter 776 By-Laws, monies raised with fundraising activities are allocated as follows: Citrus County Veterans Foundation 20 %; Central Florida Community College (CFCC) Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 MOPH Endowed Scholarship Fund 20%; Purple Heart Service Foundation 10%. Additionally, Chapter 776 By-laws authorize donations to area JROTC and Young Marine units. Also, per Department of Florida MOPH By-laws, Chapter 776's fundraising monies are assessed 10%. The chapter also participated in the National Headquarters Katrina Relief Campaign.
During the Second Year, Chapter 776 donated the following charitable gifts: Citrus County Veterans Foundation, $1,200; CFCC Endowed Scholarship Fund, $1,500, Purple Heart Service Foundation, $419; JROTC units (Citrus, Lecanto, Crystal River, Hernando), $400; Nature Coast Young Marines, $100; Katrina Relief, $500; and Department of Florida fundraising assessment, $788.58. Grand total for charitable giving during the Second Year: $4,907.58.
Legacy Activities
Chapter 776 conducted and participated in 38 events and media oriented activities to keep the chapter and the MOPH in the public's eye. Chapter members appeared on WYKE, Channel 16 in June. Also, the chapter's Second Annual Purple Heart Commemorative Ceremony was featured on the February 25 evening news of the Tampa NBC affiliate, WFLA Channel 8.
A recurring media activity, which is printed in four weekly community newspapers published by Citrus Publishing and posted on the Chapter 776 web site, is its Purple Heart Profile that chronicles the lives and military service of chapter members with special attention given to how they earned the Purple Heart Medal. During the Second Year, six profiles were accomplished with a total of nine profiles completed to date. Also, the history of the Purple Heart and wartime experiences of five chapter members was the Citrus County Chronicle's featured Sunday Commentary article on August 7, the Purple Heart's 223rd anniversary. Lastly, the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation declaring August 7, 2005 Purple Heart Day.
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