Latest news with #BridgetheGap
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hospital youth club set to launch on Isle of Man
A new hospital youth club aimed at providing a "safe space" for young people with health conditions on the Isle of Man is set to launch next month. The Hospital Youth Service, which will be run by Manx Care and the Bridge the Gap charity, will hold weekly sessions on Wednesdays from 17:00-19:00 GMT at the Roundhouse in Braddan. Co-ordinator Ben Melling said: "A lot of young people with health conditions feel isolated and it is important there is a safe space." The service is looking for volunteers to help run the sessions, aimed at those aged 12-16, who will encourage young people to play games, take part in arts and crafts and socialise. The youth club aims to help the young people relax, make friends and have "some enrichment", Mr Melling marks a "great opportunity" to volunteer for anyone who enjoys activities and "wants to give something back to the young people in the community", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Congressman Morelle recognizes local Vietnam veterans
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Congressman Joe Morelle recognized dozens of veterans on Tuesday in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day coming up this month. Local members of the armed forces and their families were invited to Victor Town Hall for Tuesday's ceremony. March 29, 1973, is the day when the last U.S. Troops departed Vietnam. Also around that time, Hanoi released the last American prisoners of war. 'Well, since I've been out of the service, I got out in '68, this is the first time I have received anything,' said Ken 'Dizzy' Deisenroth, Army Infantry. 'Basically, we didn't talk about when we got out. You didn't even tell people you were in the service. You avoided anything.' Bridge the Gap: RPD reads to Rochester students All of the veterans in attendance, as well as some who could not make the event, received a pin, which depicts the head of an Eagle, stripes of a blue color, a laurel wreath, and six stars representing the six allies that fought beside the U.S. in the Vietnam War. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach reopens after hurricanes
The Brief American Legion Post 273 reopened after being forced to close nearly five months ago because of storm damage from Hurricane Helene. The storms forced the American Legion to demo every aspect of its building, according to its members. Many of the American Legion's members remain displaced because of the storms and became emotional at Thursday's reopening. MADIERA BEACH, Fla. - Nearly five months after Hurricane Helene forced American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach to close its doors, it reopened Thursday. Members packed the post for the ceremony. "One hundred and twenty days to the day since Helene hit exactly, I can say those two magical and glorious words, welcome home," Post 273 Commander Anthony Torregrossa told a crowd at the reopening ceremony. READ: Bay Area nonprofit expanding facility, raising money for new activity center to help kids The backstory Torregrossa said that's exactly what the Madeira Beach American Legion is for thousands of its members: home. It made him emotional to welcome them back through the doors after Hurricanes Helene and Milton destroyed most of the place. "When you hope for this day for this long, I mentioned that this is like a fantasy come true," Torregrossa said. Dig deeper During Helene, the post, which had been open since the 1950s, was flooded by three and a half feet of water. "It was a disaster," Torregrossa said. "We basically had to start from scratch, demo everything." The water destroyed every piece of equipment, washed out their office, kitchen, and more. READ: Berkeley Preparatory School educators immersed in cultures beyond the classroom "We consider ourselves an American Legion family," Torregrossa said. "Our employees stepped in from day one and worked four and a half months to rebuild this post." Local perspective Lots of members volunteered to help, like Geo Vandenburgh, the Road Captain for the post. "This is more than just a post," Vandenburgh said. "This is family. Everybody knows everybody. It's a place for veterans to come and feel like they're part of a family." "Our second home has opened the doors again. It has been a long time coming," Vandenburgh said. READ: Bay Area hairdresser turns salsa into side-hustle Their second home also functions as a fundraising spot for the services they offer veterans, like their Bridge the Gap financial assistance program. "The American Legion's mission is to assist veterans, their families, active military, and the community. We've been on hold for four and a half months, and now we can finally get back and do the job that we really want to do, and that's reach out and help every one of those groups that we can," Torregrossa said. Why you should care Torregrossa said many of the members are still displaced, and some are living in the hotel next door. He says they relied on donations and their emergency fund to rebuild and were able to continue to pay their employees while they were closed. The Source FOX 13's Kailey Tracy collected the information in this story. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
