Sets for Vets

^Thanks! A special thanks to Anna Matlin and the 5th grade class in Berkley Heights, NJ for their donation!

The NJSCF "Sets for Vets" has been a great success. In 2005 $13,750 was raised by the NJSCF from individuals and Aetna Insurance. Oct. 2006, The New Jersey State Chess Federation (NJSCF) just donated $1,000! Over 1200 sets and 160 chess computer games were distributed to 146 VA hospitals and Care Centers, as well as to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 100 sets so far to Iraq, plus another 100 pocket sets, 51 chess clocks and a case of 80 chess books and 12 autographed chess books by Grandmaster Lev Alburt! In addition to what Lev has so graciously donated I'd like to report that just recently (July 2006) Lev donated a case of Chess Books (76 books) and a chess set that went to 76 VA Hospitals! So far 60 Braille Chess sets have been sent to 60 hospitals with a goal of 86 more as soon as more donations come in. We had 26 inquiries about setting up chess programs in VA hospitals with 4 hospitals now having a program! But now we really need your help.

We need you to volunteer to visit our veterans, to play chess or to start instructional programs. The NJSCF has compiled a list of facilities, sorted by state, for your convenience. If you wish to volunteer please contact the supervisor of Voluntary Services at that facility and also notify: Herman "Herm" Drenth at setsforvets@aol.com. Chess equipment may also be donated to Sets for Vets. For mailing directions please contact Herm Drenth.

You can make a tax deductible donation to NJSCF through the Chess Trust by contacting Barbara DeMaro, Managing Director, ATTN: The U.S. Chess Trust, P.O. Box 838, Wallkill, NY 12589. To qualify for your tax deduction, please make your check payable to the The U.S. Chess Trust. You can also make your donation using most major credit cards by calling us toll-free at 1-800-388-KING (1-800-388-5464) or through the donation form located Chess Trust area of USCF website. Inquiries regarding The Chess Trust can be sent to chesstrust@uschess.org. Important note: Be sure to include a note that your donation is to be earmarked for, Sets for Vets.

If you wish to make a non-tax deductible donation you can mail your check payable to:NJSCF, Attn: Ken Thomas - Treasurer, 115 West Moore Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840, phone: (908) 763-6468; Email: acn@goes.com. Be sure to note "Sets for Vets" on your check and make the check payable to: New Jersey State Chess Federation (NJSCF).

Volunteer your time for our wounded heroes!

Adopt A Hospital; Please notify Herm of the hospital you wish to work with to confirm that no one is already assigned. If assigned, your name will be placed by the hospital name. See Delaware for example.

Sets for vets committee members; Joe Ippolito, Bill Bluestone, Dr. Frank Schott, Herm Drenth are all volunteers and 100% of all donations are used to purchase chess equipment for the wounded warriors!

August 2005 update letter from Herman Drenth

November 2005 update from Herman Drenth:
Thank you GM Lev Alburt for donating a case of your chess books to our military personel in Baghdad, Iraq and for your donation of a dozen autographed chess books to be sent to VA hospitals. We ask all chess clubs to adopt a VA hospital in your area and visit and play chess with these wounded heroes. You may contact a VA hospital from the list below. We also thank Craig Gross and Bill Bluestone for adopting the Lyons Hospital in New Jersey. Funds go quickly so any donations are always welcomed. Every dollar donated goes to purchasing chess books and equipment!

October 2005 update from Herman Drenth:
So far we have donations of over $15,000.00 and have sent 51 clocks to Baghdad and sent out 60 Braille chess sets to VA hospitals. Our present goal is $3500 to purchase another 86 Braille sets and to purchase 146 Chessmaster 8000 CD's for the VA hospitals. Hope you will help!

VA hospital list

Alabama

Birmingham VA medical center, 700 S. 19^th st. Birmingham, Alabama 35223, 205-933-8101

Central Alabama Health care Center, 215 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, Alabama, 334-272-4670

Tuscaloosa Veterans Hospital, 700 S.19^th St. Birmingham, Ala. 35212

Dallas Veterans Hospital, 3701 Loop Rd. East, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35404, 205-554-2000 Randy.lestourgeon@med.va.gov

Central Alabama Veterans Health Ctr. 2400 Hospital Rd. Tuskegee, Ala 36083, William.petty1@med.va.gov

Arizona

Northern Arizona Health Care Center, 500 N. Highway89, Prescott, Arizona 86313

2 Southern Arizona Health Care Center, 3601 S. 6th Av. Tucson, Arizona 85723, 520-629-1822, Deborah.brookshire@med.va.gov

Arkansas

Fayetteville VA Medical Center, 1100 N. College Ave. Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72703, 479-444-5060 carol.kick@med.va.gov 5/6

Eugene J. Towein Health Care Center, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, N. Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114-1706, 501-257-1000

John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital, 4300 West 7^th St. Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205-5484, 501-257-1000

California

Central California Health care system, 2615 E. Clinton Ave. Fresno Cal 93703, Daniel.Goodro@med.va.gov

559-228-6907 Palo Alto VA health care center,3801 Miranda AV. Palo Alto Cal, 94304-1290, 650-493-5000

Northern California VA Health Care Center, 10535 Hospital Way, Sacramento Cal. 95665, 919-366-5366 juanita.DeLuna@med.va.gov

Long Beach Health Care System, 5901 E.7^th St Long Beach Cal. 90822, 562-826-8000

Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VAMC 11201 Benton St. Loma Linda, Cal. 92357, 1-800-741-8387, Annie.tuttle@med.va.gov

Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, 1130 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles Cal 90073, C/o Carcie Brundlin 310-268-4350 kris.baugh@med.va.gov

San Diego VAMC 3350 La Jolle Village Dr. San Diego, Cal 56303 858-552-8585

San Francisco VAMC 4150 Clement St. San Francisco Cal. 94121-1598 415-221-4810

Colorado

Eastern Colorado Health Care Center, 1055 Clermont St. Denver Colorado 80220, 303-399-8020

Grand Junction VA Medical Center, 212 North Ave. Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, Toll free 866-206-6415

Connecticut

Newington VA Health Care Center, 555 Willard Ave. Newington, Connecticut 06111, 860-666-6951

West Haven VA medical center, 950 Campbell Ave. West Haven, Connecticut 06516, 203-932-5711, joseph.canzanella@med.va.gov

Veterans Home, 287 West Street, Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067, 860-529-2571 X 2289, Dan Perrault

Delaware

Wilmington VA medical center, 1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Delaware 19805, 302-994-2511, Karen.cavanaugh@med.va.gov

Bear Scholastic Chess Club visiting, Contact: Rich Martin

Florida

Bay Pines VA medical center, 10,000 Bay Pines Blvd. Bay Pines, Florida 33744, 727-398-6661, Barbara.Parker@med.va.gov

Malcolm Randall VA medical center, 1601 S.W. Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida, 32608-1197, 352-367-1611, Julie.baker@med.va.gov

Miami VA medical center, 1201 N.W. 16^th st. Miami, Florida 33125, 305-575-7000, Christina.Bridgeman@med.va.gov

West Palm Beach VA medical center, 7305 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida 33410-6400, 561-422-8262 Mary.Mccormick@med.va.gov

James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa Florida 33612, 813-972-2000 leslie.rothman@med.va.gov

Georgia

Atlanta VAMC, 1670 Clairmont Rd. Decatur, Georgia 30033, 404-728-7728, Jan.moreira@med.va.gov

Carl Vinson VAMC 1826 Veterans Blvd. Dublin, Georgia 31021, 478-272-1210

Augusta VAMC 1 Freedom Way -, Augusta, Georgia 30904-6285, 706-733-0188, Anne.arnold@med.va.gov

Hawaii

VA Pacific Islands Health care system, 459 Patterson Road Honolulu, hi. 96819-1522, Patricia.wieland@med.va.gov 5/05

Spark M. Matsunaga VA medical center, Attn: Ms. Patricia Wieland, VA Voluntary Service Manager, Office of the Director, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-1522. PATRICIA.WIELAND@med.va.gov

Idaho

Sharon Clark VAMC Voluntary Service, 500 W. Fort St. Boise, Idaho, 83702, Sharon.clark@med.va.gov

Illinois

Illiana VA Medical Center, 1900 E. Main St. Danville, Illinois 61832-5198, 217-554-3000

Hines VA medical center, 5^th ave & Roosevelt Road, Hines Illinois 708-202-2523, Bonnie.gunter@med.va.gov

Marion VA Medical Center, 2401 W. Main St. Marion, Illinois 62959 Rebecca.Shinneman@med.va.gov 618-997-5311

Indiana

Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, 1481 W. 10^th st. Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, 317-554-0000

Northern Indiana-Marion Health Care Center, 1700 E.38^th st. Marion, Indiana 46953-4589, 765-674-3321

Northern Indiana-Fort Wayne Health Care Center, 2121 Lake Ave. Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805, 260-460-1336

Iowa

Iowa City VA Medical Center, 601 Highway 6 W. Iowa City, Iowa 52246-2208, 319-338-0581, Gary.strank@med.va.gov

Des Moines VA Medical Center, 3600 30^th st. Des Moines, Iowa 50310-5774, 515-699-5818 candace.davis@med.va.gov

Knoxville VA Health Care Center, 1515 W. Pleasant St. Knoxville Iowa 50138, 641-842-3101

Kansas

Eisenhower VA Medical Center, 4101 S. 4^th st. Leavenworth Kansas 66048-5055, 913-682-2000, Beth.Brown@med.va.gov

Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center, 2200 SW. Gage Blvd.Topeka Kansas 66622, 785-350-3111 beth.brown@med.va.gov

Robert J. Dole VAMC 5500 E. Kellog, Wichita, Kansas 67218 316-685-2221 Ronda.edens@med.va.gov

Kentucky

Lexington VA medical center, 1101 Veterans Dr. Lexington, Kentucky 40502-2236, 859-233-4511, Greg.Anderson@med.va.gov

Louisville VA medical center, 800 Zorn Ave. Louisville, Kentucky 40206, 502-287-4000, MaryJane.Crowder@med.va.gov

Louisiana

Alexandria VA Medical Center, 2495 Shreveport Highway 71 north, Pineville Louisiana 71360, 318-473-0010

New Orleans VA Medical Center, 1601 Perdido St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-1262, 504-568-0811 Deborah J Gottardi

Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, 510 Stoner Ave. Shreveport Louisiana, 318-221-8411

Maine

Togus VA medical center, 1 VA center, Augusta, Maine 04330, 207-623-8411, steven.hurd@med.va.gov

Maryland

Perry Point VA medical center, Perry Point, Maryland 21902, 410-642-2411

Baltimore med ctr. 10 N. Green St. Baltimore, Maryland 21201, 1-800-463-6295 Dallas.Renninger@med.va.gov

Massachusetts

New England VA health care center, 200 Springs Road, Building 61, Bedford, Mass. 01730, 781-687-3400

Michigan

Ann Arbor VA healthcare system, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor Michigan 48105, 734-769-7100, Beverly.Lenesky@med.va.gov

Aled E. Lutz VA Medical Center, 1500 Weiss St. Saginaw, Michigan 48602, 989-791-2217, Laurel.Simmons@med.va.gov

Iron Mountain VAMC 325 E. H St. Iron Mountain Michigan 49801, 906-774-3300 Mark.frazee@med.va.gov

VA Medical Center, 5500 Armstrong Rd. Battle Creek, Michigan 49105, 269-966-5497 Margaret.trunick@med.va.gov

Detroit VAMC C/O Voluntary Service (118v) 4646 John R. St. Detroit Michigan 48226 Wayne.snyder@med.va.gov

Minnesota

St. Cloud VAMC 4801 Veterans Dr. St. Cloud Minn. 56303, 320-252-1670 Patricia.aljets@med.va.gov

Minneapolis VAMC 1 Veterans Dr. Minn. 55417, 612-725-2000

Mississippi

Gulf Coast VA health care service, 400 Veterans Ave. Biloxi Mississippi 39531, 228-523-5000 Edwin.Cassell@med.va.gov

VA Medical Center 1500 Woodrow Wilson Dr. Jackson Miss. 39216, 601-364-1391 deborah.thomas5@med.va.gov

Missouri

Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Medical Center, 800 Hospital Dr. Columbia, Missouri 65201-5297, 573-814-6000

Kansas City VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri 64128, 816-861-4700

St. Louis VA Medical Center, 915 grand Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri 63106, 314-652-4100 marcena.gunter@med.va.gov

Montana

Montana VA health Care System, 1892 Williams St. Fort Harrison, Montana 59636, 406-442-6410 Kathleen.henson@med.va.gov

Nebraska

Nebraska/Western Iowa VA Health Care Center, 2201 N. Broadwell Av. Grand Island Nebraska 68805-2196, 308-382-3660

Nevada

Southern Nevada VA Health Care Center, 1000 Locust St. Reno Nevada 89502, 775-786-7200

Southern Nevada H.C S. P.O. box36001 North Las Vegas, Nevada 89036 Moase.martinez@med.va.gov

New Hampshire

Manchester VAMC 718 Smythe Rd. Manchester NH 03104, 603-624-4366

New Jersey

East Orange Medical Center, 385 Tremont Ave. East Orange NJ 07018-1095, 1-800-646-8262 or 973-676-1000 Mrs. Arnold rec director

Lyons VA Medical Center, 151 Knollcroft Rd. Lyons NJ 07939, 908-6470180X4327 or 908-604-5810 direct line to Bill Ouellette, rec director

New Mexico

New Mexico VA Health Care Center, 1501 San Pedro Dr. SE. Albuquerque New Mexico 87108-5153, 505-265-1711 sonja.brown@med.va.gov

VA Medical Center, 2100 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108, 505-265-1711

New York

Samuel S. Stratton VA medical center, 113Holland Av. Albany, New York 12208, 518-626-5000, Karen.haas@med.va.gov

Bath VA medical center, 76 Veterans Ave. Bath, New York 14810, 607-664-4000

Western New York Health care system, 3495 Bailey Ave. Buffalo, New York 14215, 716-862-8759 Mark.Francis@med.va.gov

Canandaigua VA medical center, 400 Frot Hill Ave. Canandaigua, New York 14424, 585-394-2000

Syracuse VA medical center, 800 Irving Ave. Syracuse, New York 13210, 315-425-4400

Bronx Medical Center, 130 Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx NY 10468, 718-584-9000, Michael.Abelson@med.va.gov

VA NY Harbor Health Care System, 800 Poly Pl. Brooklyn NY 11209, 718-630-3704 Keith Butcher

VA H.C.C. NY campus,423E23rd st. NY, NY 10010, 212-686-7500 Frank.civitillo@med.va,gov

St Albans VA Med Ctr. 179^th St & Linden Blvd, St. Albans NY 11425, 718-526-1000 Jeffry.Benke@med.va.gov

VA Hudson Valley Care System, Montrose Campus, Rt. 9A. PO Box 100 Montrose NY 10548-0100, 914-737-4400

Castle Point Campus, Castle Point NY 12511, 845-831-2000

North Port Med Ctr. 79 Middleville Rd. Northport NY 11768, 631-261-4400 X 7183 Lynn.Mott@med.va.gov

North Carolina

Ashville VA medical center, 1100 Tunnel Road, Ashville, North Carolina 28805, 828-298-7911

Durham VA medical center, 508 Fulton St.Durham, North Carolina 27705, 919-786-0411

Fayetteville VA medical center, 2300 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301, 910-488-2120

W.G. Hefner VA medical center, 1601 Brenner Ave. Salisbury, North Carolina 28144704-638-9000

North Dakota

Fargo VA Medical Center, 2101 Elm St. Fargo North Dakota 58102, 701-232-3241, Douglas.Kenyon@med.va.gov

Ohio

Chillicothe VA medical center, 17273 state route 104, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601, 740-773-1141, Gayle.Irvin-Clary@med.va.gov

Cincinnati VA medical center, 3200 Vine st. Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, 513-861-3100, Todd.sledge@med.va.gov

Louis stokes VA medical center, 10701 East Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio 44106, 216-791-3800, Lovel.Hendersen@med.va.gov

Dayton VA medical center, 4100 W. 3^rd st. Dayton, Ohio 45428, 937-268-6511 carolyn.crawford@med.va.gov

Oklahoma

VA Medical Center, 921 NE 13^th St Oklahoma City. OK. 73104, 405-270-0501

VA Medical Center, 1011 Honor Heights Dr. Muskogee OK. 74401, 918-680-3621/3840 gregory.sorenson@med.va.gov

Oregon

Portland VA Medical Center, P.O. box 1034 (p5 vol), Portland Oregon 97239, 503-273-5019 kay.hilt@med.va.gov

Roseburg VA Health Care System, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd. 97470, 541-440-1272 dona.brewer@med.va.gov

Pennsylvania

Pittsburg VA medical center, 7180 Highland Dr. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania 15206, 1-866-4va-pitt (toll free) Lorraine.kerr@med.va.gov

Coatesville VA medical center, 1400 Black Horse Hill Road, Coatesville, PA. 19320, Earl.Johnson2@med.va.gov

VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodlawn Av. Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 1-215-823-5800X6613 Melisa.edonick@med.va.gov

Lebanon Med Ctr. 1700 S. Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, PA. 17042 717-228-6030 Kathy.hoge2@med.va.gov, Earl.Johnson2@med.va.gov

James E. Van Zandt VA Med Ctr. 2907 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona PA 16602-4377, 814-943-8164X 714 cindy.eaton@med.va,gov

Wilkes-Barre VAMC 1111E.End Blvd. Wilkes-Barre PA. 18711 570-721-7237 Kimberly.hoge2@med.va.gov

Erie VAMC E38th St Erie Pa. 16504 814-868-8661 Karen.oneal@med.va.gov

VA Med Ctr. 325 New Castle Rd, Butler Pa 16001-2480 David.Virag@med.va.gov

Puerto Rico

San Juan VAMC Voluntary Service 135, Casia St. #10, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00921-3201 edcardo.diaz@med.va.gov

Rhode Island

Providence VAMC 830 Chalk Stone Rd. Providence RI. 02908-4799 491-273-7100 Gloria.Mancuso@med.va.gov

South Carolina

Ralph H. Johnson VA medical center, 109 Bee St. Charleston, South Carolina, 27401-5799, 843-577-5011

William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA medical center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29209-1639, 803-776-4000

South Dakota

Black Hills VA Health Care Center, 113 Comanche Road, Fort Meade, South Dakota 57741, 605-347-2511, Jeffrey.honeycutt@med.va.gov

Sioux Falls VAMC 2501 22^nd St. Sioux Falls SD. 57117-5046, 605-336-3230 Brenda.stevens2@med.va.gov

Tennessee

Alvin York Health Care Center,3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129, 615-867-6000, Ann.Brown@med.va.gov

Nashville Health care Center, 1310 24^th Ave. S. Nashville, Tennessee 37212-2637, 615-327-4751, Sherry.pomeroy@med.va.gov

Veterans Affairs medical center, 1030 Jefferson Ave. Memphis, Tennessee 38104, 901-573-8990

Mountain Home VA m,edical center, P.O. box 4000, Mountain Home, Tennessee 37608, 423-926-1171, Mike.Kromoff@med.va.gov

Texas

Brook Army Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brook Dr. (3600 fsh) San Antonio 78234, 501-257-1000 Bamc.webmaster@amedd.army.mil

Audie L. Murphy memorial Veterans Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd. San Antonio Texas 78229, 210-617-5300, Linda.Ziontz@med.va.gov

Sam Rayburn Memorial VA Med Ctr. 1201 E 9^th St. Bonham Texas 75418, 903-583-6561 gilbert.martinez@med.va.gov

Olin B Teague VAMC 1901 Veterans Memorial Dr. Temple Texas 76504, 245-534-4352 henry.mosely@med.va.gov

Waco VAMC 480 Memorial Dr Waco Texas 76711 254-752-6581 henry.mosely@med.va.gov Mail to Olin Teague

Michael E. DeBakey VAMC 2002 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas 77030-4298, 1-800-553-2278

Kerrville VAMC 3600 Memorial Dr. Kerrville, Texas 78028, 830-896-2020

Utah

Salt Lake City VA Health Care Center, 500 foothill Dr. Salt Lake City Utah 84148, 1-800-613-4012, Belinda.Karabatsos@med.va.gov

Vermont

White River Junction VA medical center, 215 N. Main St. White River Junction, Vermont 05009, 802-295-9363

Virginia

McGuire VA medical center, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, Virginia 23249, 804-675-5135 Janet.langehorne@med.va.gov

Salem VA medical center, 1970 Roanoke Blvd. Salem, Virginia 24153, 540-983-1096

Hampton VAMC 100 Emancipation Dr. Hampton, VA 23667, 757-722-9961 judith.curtis@med.va.gov

Washington State

Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center, 77 Wainwright Dr, Walla Walla Washington 99362, 509-525-5200

Spokan VAMC 4815 N. Assembly St. Spokan Wash. 99205-6197 Carla.lippert@med.va.gov

Washington D.C.

Walter Reed Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington DC 20307-5001

West Virginia

Beckley VA medical center, 200 Veterans Drive, Beckley, W. Virginia 25801, 304-255-2121 cheryl.yost@med.va.gov

Louis A. Johnson VA medical center, 1 Medical Center Dr. Clarksburg, W. Virginia 26301, 304-623-3461, Cheryl.Welch@med.va.gov

Huntington VA medical center. 1540 Spring Valley Dr. Huntington, W Virginia 25704, 304-429-6741

Martinsburg VA medical center, 510 Butler Ave.Martinsburg W. Virginia 25401, 304-263-0811

Wisconsin

William S. Middleton VAMC 2500 Overlook Ave. Madison, Wisconsin 53705, 608-256-1901 scott.krueger@med.va.gov

Tomah VAMC 500 E. Veterans St. Tomah, Wisconsin 54660, 608-372-3971

Clement J. Zablocki VAMC 5000 W. National Ave. Milwaukee Wis 53295-0001, 414-384-2000 denise.jashinsky@med.va.gov

Wyoming

Cheyenne VAMC 2360 E. Pershing Dr. Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001, 307-778-7550

Sheridan VAMC 1898 Fort Rd. Sheridan Wyoming 82801, 307-672-3473