Chuck Camarato, along with alter ego “Major Change,” put a call out for members of the American Legion in California to step up and meet the challenge in getting the word out about Helmets for Heroes and placing a helmet and display tree in local businesses, setting them next to the cash register so customers would have a place to put their change.
Bill Bryant, a member of the Sons of The American Legion stepped up to accept the challenge. In fact, he has stepped up big time in placing helmets in businesses within his county as well as surrounding counties. Bill has also recruited a couple of other members who have not placed the helmets and display trees in businesses within their areas. Bill also attends various gun shows, sport fishing and camping shows as well as other outdoor trade shows, sets up a table or booth and gives the attendees the opportunity to place their change into the helmets.
Bill and his team have placed helmets in TrueValue and Ace Hardware stores, Circle K stores, country clubs and golf courses, bars, breweries, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, a resort, a chain of Marvel Food Stores and a chain of Sportsman Warehouses, as well as various American Legion posts and, believe it or not, he placed helmets in three Elk Lodges.
At the last Department Executive Committee meeting, bill presented a check from the change he had collected to CAL-VAR and the Ways & Means Commission for $15,000. Bill is well on his way to collecting another tidy sum for the next DEC.
Truth be known, if Bill can do it, anyone can do it, which means you. All we need — and we can make it easy — is for each member to take five helmets and display trees, place them in businesses they shop, be willing to pick up the change as the helmets fill up and turn in the funds to your local post.
With a little concerted cooperation and effort, we can totally fund the required budget needed for supporting our VA&R and even expand its outreach. Are you ready to take the challenge, step up and make the call? Chuck “Major Change” Camarato is standing by: ccamarato@yahoo.com.
