Child Welfare
This program is the oldest program of La Societe remaining in existence today. It was founded in 1923 with
the primary purpose of assisting the children of servicemen who had perished during World War I. Since that time, the program
has evolved into a much more comprehensive effort and, today, the program is intended to assist any child who can be appropriately
identified as being in need with the guidelines specified by the Ardery Trust Fund.
Our Child Welfare Program assists
thousands of children each year with contributions. As a philanthropic organization, it remains one of the premier programs
dedicated to helping others and in this case specifically young children.
From the portion of each Voyager's dues that
are forwarded to Voiture Nationale each year, $.50 is automatically transfered into the Ardery Trust Fund. In addition, under
the direction of the National Directeur-Child Welfare. Like all our programs, pin distribution involves the Child Welfare
Directeur in each Grande as well as the individual Child Welfare Directeurs in each Voiture Locale. When everyone in this
distribution chain lends their efforts to the program it can become an outstanding means of raising funds. The key of course,
is that many Voitures Locales as possible participate.
Any Locale interested in participating in the child Welfare
Program by assisting children in their area should review the terms of the Adery Trust Program.
Nurses Training
It is now more than 55 years since the Forty and Eight, recognizing the ever growing
shortage of trained nurses in this country, decided to begin a program that would provide scholarships to deserving individuals
who were willing to undergo formal training and make a career in this very noble profession.
the Nurses Training program
is primarily administered at the Voiture Locale level. There are no fixed guidelines for either the number of scholarships
or the dollar value of scholarships awarded. Many Locales have established their own guidelines that specify both the quantity
and value of these scholarships and then make the same awards each year. Others vary their program each year dependent upon
the success of their fund raising efforts.
This program is administered by a Nationale Committee that is headed by a
National Directeur who is assisted by a Treasurer and four Sous Directeurs. They operate with tow major objectives in mind
each year: fund raising through the sales of Nurses Training Program Pin and consolidation of report data from all Grandes.
In turn, each Grande has a Nurses Training Directeur who coordinates with each of the Locales within the Grande to promote
pin sales and to encourage every Locale to report the details and accomplishments of their programs.
Since its inception in 1955, this unique
program has resulted in assistance to nursing students that now number close to 50,000. In many cases, these scholarships
are the critical difference that allows many of the recipients to pursue their studies and then go on to receive a nursing
degree. Without the Forty and Eight, many would fall short of the funds necessary to continue their education.
Carville Star
The word "star" in this context refers to the STAR which is a magazine that was published for years at the Gillis
W. Long Hansen's Disease Center in Carville, Louisiana. Loss of personnel in recent years has resulted in having the STAR
privately published in Indianapolis, Indiana. The purpose of the magazine, however, has not changed. It is intended to
educate and enlighten the public on the truthful facts about Hansen's Disease and dispel myths that date back to biblical
days.
The center of attention in Carville, LA today is the Hansen's Disease Museum which has been painstakingly assembled
to trace both the history of the disease itself as well as the history of patient treatment. Funds to support the operation
of this facility come primarily from the fund raising efforts of La Societe.
Each year, the Carville Star Committee
under the direction of the National Carville Star Directeur, the Sous Directeurs and the committee, design a Carville Star
pin that is made available to Voiture Locales everywhere. The sale of these pins is a major source of revenue to keep the
Carville Museum in operation.
A second source of monies is the "Buy a Country" program. And individual Voyageur, Voiture
Locale or Grande Voiture or ther interested individual can purchase a country with the contribution of $50. That purchase
is then recognized with a certificate that indicated both the purchaser and the country purchased.
The Star Magazine
that was mentioned earlier is available to any voyageur interested in helping Hansen's Disease effort and learning more about
its treatment. Armed with the facts about this misunderstood disease, they have doen much to replace emotion with reason,
prejudice with understanding and falsehood with truth. Subscriptions to the magazine can be paid through the Locale at the
time an individual pays their dues. The monies collected, along with the names and addresses of each subscribers, should then
be forwarded to the Grand Carville Star Directeur. Ultimately these subscriptions go to Nationale to create a nationwide mailing
list.
Americanism
By its mere name, the purpose of this program would appear to be self-explanatory to each of use as veterans. Love of country,
respect for freedom, participation in a democratic society and a special reverence to our flag, the ever present " stars and
Stripes", make each of us a patriotic American.
The Forty and Eight, as an organization, however, takes these basic
tenets of Americanism and expands upon them in a way that make the society that surrounds us aware that Voyageurs everywhere
are dedicated to the very theme of Americanism.
Each year, the Americanism Committee, under the direction of our National
Americanism Directeur, searches far and wide to select a nationally known prominent citizen who epitomizes the true spirit
of Americanism. Our purpose is to credit such and individual for thier unselfish dedication to the principles of both this
nation and this organization. When all is said and done, La Societe will have shown our fellow citizens the commitment that
this organization has to promoting the principles of Americanism.
Aside from this annual recognition that takes place
at Promenade Nationale, Voyagers and Locale across this great nation of ours spend countless dollars and man hours in our
elementary school systems educating our young Americans on the significance of our National Colors... the revered flag of
the United States of America. those that participate in this program affectionately cal it the "Flags for First Graders" program.
The participation in this program is almost beyond comprehension. We're not talking a few hundred man-hours that number in
the tens of thousands. Elementary school children are appreciating the value of the American Flag due to the efforts of their
time to promote a better America for future generations.
A simple contact with an elementary school principal is the
ideal inroad to presenting a "Flags for First Graders" program. The initial work is nothing more than a request to allow a
group of voyageurs and opportunity to present their program. After that, it's all down hill. Students will be receptive, teachers
will be receptive and each of your Voiture's participants will come away with feeling that they have played an integral part
in the future of Americanism in this country. In reality, they most certainly have and future generations will be gifted in
the knowledge that the Forty and Eight is truly an American organization.
(VAVS) Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service
The Forty & Eight, as are most Veterans Organizationas, is an active member and participant in the VAVS program. As
part of this program, Voyageurs (called Deputy Representatives) visit the Veteran Administration Medical Centers on a regular
basis, where they give comfort and assistance to, or just visit with, the hospitalized veterans. The Forty & Eight has
adopted an additional program for these veterans, called "Keep Those Wheelchairs Rolling." Under this program, the VAVS Representative
writes a brief letter outlining a "need" of the patients. These "needs" may cover a project, equipment or comfort and convenience
items needed by the hospitalized veterans. The entries are then judged on the need and benefit to the patients, and those
selected receive the item(s) requested, courtesy of the National Box Car Association.
National Box Car Association
The National Box Car Association (NBCA) is an independent association within the Forty & Eight which raises funds by
selling Crew or Associate Membership Cards. All funds raised by the Association are used within the year they are obtained.
The National Box Car Association supports several special projects at Promenade Nationale (National Convention). Each year,
a party for special children is planned at the host city. These special children and their escorts are treated to lunch, train
rides and entertainment provided by HOBO Clowns and bands. The entire cost of this party is paid by the NBCA from the funds
collected in their annual membership drive. Another project at Promenade Nationale, is a monetary donation made to the local
VAVS Hospital or Clinic. This contribution usually goes to the Patient Services area. The NBCA also contributes large amounts
to the various programs of Voiture Nationale (National Headquarters), such as the Boland Nurses Training Trust Fund and the
Charles Ardery Child Welfare Trust Fund. Monies are also given to the other programs which may require assistance, such as
the Membership Committee, Forty & Eighter Magazine, Law Officer of the Year Program and many others.
POW/MIA Program
The purpose of the National POW/MIA Program is to raise funds in Honor of the Servicemen & Women who were Prisoners
of War, or are considered Missing in Action while serving in the defense of the United States of America, or its allies during
times of armed conflict. The funds are raised to facilitate the formation and continuance of a Scholarship Trust Fund for
the direct descendants of verifiable POW/MIA Servicemen and Women. Scholarships are limited to the Veteran, the Spouse of
the veteran, children, and grandchildren of the veteran.
To get full information on this program or to apply for a scholarship click Here for the POW/MIA web page.
National Disaster Relief Program
The Forty and Eight National Disaster Relief Program provides one centrally managed source of relief backed by substantial
funds able to respond quickly anywhere in the United States. Our committee is led by National Directeur Walter E. "Wally"
Ciokajlo. The officers of our committee are listed in the October 2001 issue of the Forty and Eighter on Page
14 and 15, and on the web page titled Officers/Committees. In the four years we have operated this program, we have
responded to floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, and the cowardly terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington,
D.C. We have distributed food, water, blankets, clothing and tools, gloves and boots to those affected by these many
disasters. In cooperation with 'Feed the Children' we have distributed food to sustain the less fortunate by the hundreds
in our 'Food Drops'.
The Forty and Eight operates a logistics distribution system with trucks and drivers supervised by Sous Directeur Dick
Hammond. The materials we distribute are mostly donated by charitable organizations, like 'Feed the Children', and commercial
grocery and beverage companies.
Our sales of ball caps, garment bags and lapel pins support these operations, but we need donations from any and all sources
to pay for fuel, maintenance, insurance, and the other logistical support it takes to keep the trucks rolling. To Print the
donation form click Here. Merchandise can be ordered from National Secretaire/Treasurer Wally Bolton at 865-397-5749 or wallybolton@cs.com. We'll make it happen.
Payments for merchandise, as well as donations, should be routed through your Grand Directeur so he stays informed. Checks
should be made Payable to: "Nationale 40 and 8 Disaster Relief Fund" and mailed to: 40 and 8 National Secretaire/Treasurer,
Wally Bolton, 672 Wine Road, Dandridge, TN 37725. Donations are tax deductible under IRS Code 501(c) and the 40 et 8
is classified as a 30% organization as far as the limitation of an individual is concerned. Our Federal Employer's Identification
Number is 35-0732710. Space permitting, your donations and pin/cap sales will be acknowledged in the next issue of the Forty
and Eighter magazine.
George B. Boland Nurses Training Scholarship Trust Fund
The Boland Nurses Scholarship Trust was founded to provide additional scholarship support to those Voitures Locale who
have exhausted their scholarship funds but who still have qualified individuals applying for scholarships. The trust is administered
by Voiture Nationale, and all determinations regarding the awarding of scholarship grants are made by the Boland Trust Committee
consisting of three (3) members of La Societe. Only those Voitures Locale who have an official Nurses Training Program in
place may apply to the Boland Trust for further assistance, as the Trust Fund is intended as a supplement to, and not a replacement
for, a local nurses training program.
Charles W. Ardery Memorial Child Welfare Trust Fund
The primary function of the Charles W. Ardery Trust Fund is to provide reimbursements of funds expended by a Voiture Locale
or a Grande Voiture in meeting the emergent needs of children 17 years of age or younger. Emergent is defined as: A situation
which has developed of a serious nature demanding prompt attention." This situation may arise out of natural disasters, i.e.,
floods, tornadoes, hurricane, fire, etc. Emergent cases are given prime consideration and are undertaken by the Local Voiture
where established agencies, (Red Cross, churches, welfare, etc.), are unable to move rapidly or cannot act at all. However,
this aid is not intended to replace or supplement that assistance which may be available through established agencies.
National Past Chef De Gare Club
The object of the organization of the club are as follows;
To honor, thru membership, those voyagers who have served their Voiture Locale and/or Grand Voiture as Chef De Gare.
To directly support the Forty & Eighter Magazine with a $25,000.00 per year donation derived from membership dues,
memorial donations, gifts and other special fund raising projects that the club may undertake.
To Increase comradery between club members who have common bonds, and who are "Etiam Servans". (Still Serving)
To submit your membership application on-line click Here
To print the membership application form click Here.
For additional information on the National Past Chefs Club, contact the National Secretary;
Paul J. Sorrentino
4575 Redbud Lane
Brownsburg, IN 46112
Phone (317)852-2452 Fax (317)858-9246 E-Mail paulj@unidial.com
OR
Voiture Nationale
Attn: Sue Walker
777 N Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone (317)634-1804 Fax (317)632-9365 E-Mail voiturenationale@msn.com
