This October, the National Home celebrated the service of Trustee Barbara Stodgell as her term came to an end.

She has served on VFW National Home for Children Board of Trustees since her election in 2012, and represented the Departments of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Pacific Areas, Utah and Wyoming. Barbara is a member of VFW Auxiliary #1650 of Topeka, Kansas, where she has served as Conductress and Trustee. She holds a Bachelors degree in Child Development from Kansas State University and Masters in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. She has over 30 years of experience as a licensed social worker in the area of public child welfare, including managing statewide Special Needs Adoption, Adoption Assistance and Family Preservation programs. Her volunteer experience includes serving as a preschool teacher for Head Start, an emergency social worker for the Methodist Church, Sunday school teacher, Board member of Doorstep, a social service agency, and Regent of her local Daughters of American Revolution chapter. “Barbara has a wise and loving spirit that is evident to all those who know her, and her kind and thoughtful intelligence has often made all the difference during many board meetings and discussions.” remarked fellow trustee and outgoing Board President, Dave Ouellette. “Barbara, your wisdom will be missed by all of us, and on behalf of the staff and your fellow trustees, we thank you for your faithful service to your VFW National Home and to the children and families of our veterans.”