SGT. SHAFT: Sierra Club funds camps for military families

Dear Sgt. Shaft,

I am rated 100 percent disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Recently, my wife passed away. How do I inform the VA so that my monthly benefit check can be adjusted downward? What address do I write to?

Tom C, Maryland

Dear Tom,

Sorry for your loss. Veterans can notify VA of the death of a spouse by submitting a written statement to their regional office or by calling the toll-free number 800/827-1000. In your case, the address of the Baltimore Regional Office is 31 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Shaft notes

Thanks to a grant provided by the Sierra Club’s Military Families Outdoors Initiative, the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) will provide a unique outdoor experience for military children and their families free of charge in 15 states.

“During this time of heavy deployment, the camps provide military personnel — and their children — a much-needed respite from the grim reality of war. It also offers these families an opportunity to build a support network of others who have similarly experienced the pressures of deployment,” said retired Navy Rear Adm. Frank Gallo, national executive director of the ASYMCA.

“The ASYMCA is happy to be able to provide our troops and their families a memorable experience that is not only fun but also educational for the entire family.”

The ASYMCA and Sierra Club sponsor two types of outdoor camp programs: one that is for military children and one for the whole family. Since the start of the program last year, 1,549 children have attended resident camp, 1,081 children have attended day camp and 621 adults have been able to accompany their children to resident camp.

Through this initiative, ASYMCA and Sierra Club aim to:

• Decrease stress and anxiety levels that stem from deployment, frequent moves or everyday pressures.

• Increase social interaction and skills of children by participating in group activities.

• Increase self-confidence of children through the development of positive relationships and new outdoor experiences.

• Develop a support system composed of other military families that have similar experiences.

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