Blue Star Families Partners to Create Spouse Ambassador Network

Last week the United States Department of Defense deepened its commitment to helping military spouses find jobs by launching the Spouse Ambassador Network, which will be a new arm of the department’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. The Spouse Ambassador Network is made possible by SECO’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership and several military support organizations, including Blue Star Families, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Military Family Association. More than 200 businesses have joined the partnership as well, pledging to hire military spouses.

The Spouse Ambassador Network was created in collaboration with military spouses. “Well-networked” military husbands and wives were asked what career information and resources would be helpful to them when looking for jobs. As a result, the SECO website offers articles, links, networking opportunities, skill assessments and access to personality assessments that could guide spouses when making a career choice. The career center will be accessible 24/7 on the Military OneSource website and will even offer individuals the ability to transfer their LinkedIn profiles to the SECO site.

“[The partner companies] recognize the value of military spouses, and that they have the kinds of skills and talent that most employers are looking for in the 21^st century,” said Meg O’Grady. “They’re resilient, flexible, natural team players, and tend to be very local. Our employers have told us that bringing a military spouse into their organization creates a real value for that business.”

Disney Donates Books to Blue Star Families' Books on Bases Program

Blue Star Families has an exciting new partnership! Recently, the non-profit committed to supporting and empowering military families, partnered with the Walt Disney Company to grow its Books on Bases program. In June, more than 250 Army and Marine Corps family members from Joint Base Fort Myer-Henderson Hall near Washington, DC, received free books from Disney. Mickey Mouse made a surprise appearance at the event, where families also took part in group readings and craft activities.

Books on Bases was created by BSF as a way to positively impact the lives of military children through the power of reading. A healthy love of books can help military children cope with absent parents, frequent moves and other life changes. Other partners and supporters of the program include BAE Systems, Sleeping Bear Press, Operation Paperback, United Concordia and Random House. To date, the program has touched more than 150,000 lives and Disney’s donation of more than 30,000 books will go a long way to help the program continue to grow and prosper.

Connie Milstein is a member of the Blue Star Families Board of Directors and a Washington, DC local. She has been a long-term supporter of active duty military members, military families and our country’s veterans. 

HDI Brings International Film Exchange workshop to Iraq

The Humpty Dumpty Institute recently partnered with the Iraqi Independent Film Centre to host a workshop in Baghdad for young Iraqi filmmakers. The event was funded by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad with additional help from Human Film UK/NL and Iraq Al-Rafdin. The Baghdad training was part of the International Film Exchange, an HDI program that trains promising filmmakers from around the world and encourages them to use the power of film and television to highlight important social issues.

The theme of the workshop, which took place May 1-10, was “Telling the Story.” The workshop’s instructor was California-based filmmaker Bill Megalos, who has been producing and directing feature films and documentaries for more than 30 years.

“This is my first trip to Iraq,” Megalos said. “I am moved by the dedication and enthusiasm displayed by these young filmmakers who work under difficult circumstances and with limited resources. I’d like to see more organizations like the Iraqi Independent Film Center and more programs like HDI’s International Film Exchange so Iraqis can tell their stores to the world as they rebuild their country.”

HDI’s President Ralph Cwerman was also pleased with the success of the training program.

“When we first proposed an International Film Exchange program for Iraq, there were concerns that Iraqi filmmakers might not be ready for a program of this type. Based on the results of this workshop, they clearly are," he said. "We look forward to expanding the International Film Exchange to more countries in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.”

Connie Milstein is a one of the founders of the Humpty Dumpty Institute and continues to work with the non-profit as Chairman Emeritus.

Fourteenth Annual Heart's Deligh Wine Auction Takes Place Next Week

Mark your calendars! The 2013 Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction will be taking place May 1-4 in Washington, D.C. Started by the American Heart Association in 1999, Heart’s Delight is widely recognized as one of the most exclusive destination events in the country. Since it began, Heart’s Delight has raised more than 11 million dollars for the American Heart Association. Next week master winemakers, culinary greats and a number of distinguished guests will celebrate, and bid on, an amazing selection of food and wine to add to this total. 

The party kicked off on Tuesday, April 23, with the Hall of States Reception held on a rooftop overlooking the Capitol building. Members of Congress mingled with Heart’s Delight guests at the event, which also included a live auction. The evening’s honorary chairmen were Senator Saxby Chambliss and Congressman Mike Thompson. 

This week guests will be treated to a presentation on American wine, intimate wine dinners, both live and silent auctions, and a virtual wine cellar tour. This year’s chairman is Nicholas E. Calio, President & CEO of Airlines for America. 

Connie Milstein was honored to be the 2010 Heart’s Delight Chairman. She and her husband, Jehan-Christophe de La Haye Saint Hilaire, are longtime benefactors of the American Heart Association. She was recognized at the 2010 Vintners Dinner by David Markiewicz, the American Heart Association’s Executive Vice President. He praised her dedication and generous support of heart research. Earlier that year, the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center opened at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital thanks to generous contributions from Connie and other members of the Milstein family.

NewYork-Presbyterian Receives Energy Star Award

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital was recently recognized with a 2013 Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The hospital was recognized for its highly efficient combined heat and power system at its Weill Cornell Medical Center campus, which opened in 2009. The state-of-the-art system creates an independent source of electricity and heat for the campus, protecting the hospital from power outages during weather-related events, allowing doctors and nurses to provide uninterrupted care and safeguarding medical research facilities, diagnostic labs and pharmaceutical supplies.

This isn't the firs time that the EPA has recognized NewYork-Presbyterian for its sustainability efforts. Next week, the hospital will receive its eighth Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management.

“NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital leads the field with its commitment to energy efficiency and demonstrates how all Americans can save energy, save money and create a healthier environment,” said Bob Perciasepe, acting administrator of the EPA.

Connie Milstein is a long-time member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Board of Trustees and has worked with the hospital in a number of ways. She currently serves on the Quality and Performance Improvement Committee, the Real Estate and Major Facilities Committee and the Join Conference Committee. She also serves as a Governor of the NewYork-Presbyterian Foundation, Inc. Connie’s parents, Vivian and Seymour Milstein, began working with the hospital in the 1950s and Connie helped to open the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center in 2006 in their honor. 

Connie Milstein and BSF Host Holiday Luncheon at at Walter Reed

Last month, Connie Milstein partnered with Neiman Marcus, Fidelis Security and Blue Star Families to host the 2012 holiday luncheon at Walter Reed Medical Center. Each winter wounded warriors, caregivers and their families are treated to an afternoon filled with tasty treats, holiday crafts and games, and a visit from Santa. This year guests were treated to a performance by the Annapolis Area Christian School’s Madrigals Choir and a special Christmas story read by Darlene Greenert. Also inattendance was Deputy Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter; Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, George Little; Commanding Officer of Walter Reed Admiral Stocks and his wife; Surgeon General of the Navy, Admiral Matthew Nathan; and the wife of Admiral Anderson Chief Medical Office of the Marine Corps, Paula Anderson.

This annual BSF event allows wounded warriors to celebrate what is important during the holidays with their families and caregivers, even if they cannot be at home. Each family left the event this year with a family portrait with Santa, books, holiday cards and other special gifts. Nearly 200 BSF volunteers, including Connie Milstein – a member of the non-profit’s Board of Directors, gathered to organize the holiday event.