It all started with a picture on Facebook.

Karen Scheuneman, 2021-22 Buddy Poppy and VFW National Home Program Chairman of the VFW Auxiliary Department of New York, noticed a photo of a preschool teacher sitting on the floor with her students on the VFW National Home Facebook page.

A couple of other photos also on the post convinced Scheuneman that she should contact the National Home to find out if there was a need in the VFW Auxiliary Child Care and Early Education Center on the VFW National Home campus for a more adequate reading area.

“It inspired me to find comfort for the teachers and students,” said Scheuneman. 

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Scheuneman chose the Dr. Suess theme to grab the attention of her fellow VFW Auxiliary members by using an illustrative flyer with the Cat in the Hat front and center and mailed it to all the VFW Auxiliaries in the state.

Each time a donation came in, Scheuneman would add to her cache of goodies for the reading nook. Altogether she purchased:

• Teacher-size story time cube
• Book display teaching cart
• Floor cushions
• Storage cart
• Bookcase
• 2 preschool chairs with a matching table
• 2 toddler club chairs with ottomans
• An adult adjustable reclining floor chair
• A child adjustable reclining floor chair
• Area rug
• 2 children’s kindles with headphones
• 40 books by Dr. Suess
• Dr. Suess decorations and school supplies

“Before this donation, our reading area was lacking comfortable, kid-sized furniture and we did not have a good teacher cart for displaying the books during reading time. The kids usually sat on the floor to read,” said Quinn Quainton, VFW Auxiliary Child Care, and Early Education Center preschool teacher.

Opportunity for Children to Flourish

Scheuneman remembers the first time she visited the VFW National Home where she fell in love with the peace and serenity of the surroundings.

“The VFW National Home for Children provides an opportunity for our veterans to get a second lease on life. It gives them the additional tools to adapt and move forward.  With the Early Education Center, it gives the children an opportunity to flourish in an educational environment,” she remarked.

“Storytime promotes brain development, imagination, early literacy skills, listening skills and is a vital part of each day. Much of our learning is done through books and during storytime,” added Quainton who is thrilled at the addition of all the comfortable seating, new library of Dr. Suess literature, and brightly colored posters that promote reading.

Nook Produces Smiles

On behalf of the VFW National Home and the Early Education Center, Quainton expressed her gratitude.

“The kids and staff of the Early Education Center thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous donation of our new reading nook. The children love it and are using it each day with happy smiles on their faces. It will be a favorite and much appreciated area of our center for years to come,” she said.

If you are interested in fundraising for the National Home, please contact Development Director, Sue Alverson to discuss current needs at salverson@vfwnationalhome.org or 517-663-7983.  Your support is appreciated!