MOAA chapters have served their local military communities in a variety of ways in 2018. Here are a few of their accomplishments; others can be found in the October issue of Military Officer.

Central Ohio Chapter

The Central Ohio Chapter supports deployed servicemembers through two projects. The chapter has collected over 2,000 cellphones that have been exchanged for calling cards for deployed troops. In addition, ongoing for over seven years, the chapter sends care packages servicemembers in harm's way. Twice a month, boxes are sent with protein items, snack food, coffee, candy, toiletries, games, greeting cards, etcetera. Recipients include troops in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Africa, and Iraq. Names are obtained from local MOAA members, churches, friends, and even strangers, and most of the recipients are chaplains who can get the packages to remote operations.

New River (N.C.) Chapter

Each year on Armed Forces Day, the New River Chapter hosts a Marathon Jam that provides monetary support to the Fisher Houses at Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Participants - who later receive the designation of “iron picker” - play music for 12 hours. During that time, Ashe County veterans are brought forward and are honored by being “wrapped” in a healing quilt to recognize their service and sacrifice. Ashe County Piecemakers Quilt Guild works with the chapter to provide these handmade quilts. Barbara Sears, chapter auxiliary chair, coordinated this year's Marathon Jam, which was the third consecutive. Marathon Jams are held across the U.S. and at military installations worldwide to support Fisher Houses. Learn more at www.marathonjam.org.

Northwest Arkansas

Over the past four years, seven Northwest Arkansas Chapter members, led by Capt. Cliff Mosier, USA (Ret), have taught more than 10,000 students at 39 local area elementary schools about the U.S. flag. The flag education program was initiated by the Arkansas Department of Education and is supported by the Arkansas Department of Veterans Administration, which provides instructional materials to the chapter and other volunteer groups. During a 50-minute school period, students are taught that the flag is a symbol of our country and represents the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities of all citizens; what the colors and stars and stripes stand for; and how to care for the flag.

Mahoning and Shenango Valleys (Ohio) Chapter

The Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter donated $100 to Camp Corral, which provides free summer camp for children ages 8 to 15 in military families. These camps are located at 4-H and YMCA camps across the country, and priority is given to children in a family with a wounded, disabled, or fallen servicemember.

Southern Nevada Chapter

The Southern Nevada Chapter, in conjunction with the Service Academy Parents Club of Las Vegas, held a send-off dinner in June for local service academy candidates. This was the chapter's 14th year holding the event, and this year, 20 candidates attended, along with nearly 150 members, parents club members, candidates, parents, and guests. Five congressional representatives also attended and presented each candidate with a certificate of achievement.