‘Sweats For Vets’ in Virginia

The Col. Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Division and the LAOH Daughters of Erin Division, both in Loudoun, participated once again in the 13th Annual “Sweats for Vets” program at the Martinsburg Veterans facility in WVA. In concert with the Knights of Columbus Assemblies and Councils of Northern Virginia and the VFW in Leesburg, the AOH/LAOH distributed over 625 new sweat outfits along with over a thousand pairs of socks and over $8,000 in cash donations to approximately 500 Veterans in residence.

The VA AOH/LAOH was responsible for at least $2,000 in cash donations and 50 sweat outfits, collected last fall through local charity initiatives.

Also, the AOH was privileged to distribute several hundred “Thank you for your service” cards prepared by the K-thru-8th graders at St. Joseph School in Herndon, VA. Many of the Veterans found the cards as valuable as their new sweat outfit.

The facility director, Tim Cook, took time to join us once again – this time as his last official act as director, as he heads out to become the director of the VA in Orlando, Florida – to express his appreciation for this annual program, which grew from 50 sweat outfits to 600-800 in recent years while he was director. Tim is a staunch supporter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and will be missed in this community. Tim will definitely bring his Hibernian enthusiasm to Florida in his new, demanding role.

Kudos to my fellow AOH and LAOH Brothers and Sisters, family members and all those in our community (such as the Vistas of Lansdowne HOA) who helped make this event such a success.

–– Jay McCarthy, VA AOH State President; Margie McCarthy, VA LAOH Daughters of Erin Division.