Astronomy For Disabled Veterans
Donation protected
* Astronomy For Disabled Veterans was started by The Stephen P. Barry Assembly of the Knights of Columbus.
Night time is a very lonely time for our disabled veterans living in a healthcare facility.
"In a VA-Funded Study , researchers have found that loneliness is tied to the highest levels of depression and suicide. "
"We typically think of loneliness as a consequence of depression, rather than a cause."
For these Vets there is little to do to occupy their time in the evenings. This is the time loneliness and depression can play a factor in hindering their recovery.
The A4DV program offers our hero’s something worthwhile to embrace in the evenings.
ASTRONOMY FOR DISABLED VETERANS – A4DV Is here to help by erecting the first of many, State Of The Art Observatories at the VA Hospital located in Aspinwall, PA .
KEY POINTS
♦ Erect an observatory building, with an electronic movable roof, at the VA hospital.
♦ Purchase a digital telescope and camera, so hospitalized veterans can observe the sky's and stars from inside the hospital, on computers and on a dedicated network.
♦ Astronomy classes for hospitalized veterans, to become astronomers. An activity that can provide life long rewards.
♦ Bus veterans to dedicated “Star Parties” at the Mingo Creek and Wagman Observatories .
♦ Build a library of astronomy at the hospital including, the monthly “Star Guide newsletter, Astronomy magazine and books donated by many of the over 600 amateur member astronomers of the AAAP (Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh ) .
♦ Provide astronomy type activities that veterans can work on as a team to reconfigure saved sightings and identify new stars, constellations and accessing views from other observatories.
♦ This observatory will be the first, for any VA Hospital in the country, and will be the model for others.
* The Stephen P. Barry Assembly of the Knights of Columbus started the astronomy program for disabled veterans, with a $1000 start-up and is providing the funds, with technical and astronomy teaching assistance from the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh. Our K of C brothers (many of our Knights are over 65 years old) standing on corners in 90 degree heat in traffic collecting money and, others going around to Unions and other Associations making presentations for donations are the ones making this a reality. The Stephen P. Barry Assembly of the Knights of Columbus has raised to date, just over $16,000 of the $80,000 needed.
Night time is a very lonely time for our disabled veterans living in a healthcare facility.
"In a VA-Funded Study , researchers have found that loneliness is tied to the highest levels of depression and suicide. "
"We typically think of loneliness as a consequence of depression, rather than a cause."
For these Vets there is little to do to occupy their time in the evenings. This is the time loneliness and depression can play a factor in hindering their recovery.
The A4DV program offers our hero’s something worthwhile to embrace in the evenings.
ASTRONOMY FOR DISABLED VETERANS – A4DV Is here to help by erecting the first of many, State Of The Art Observatories at the VA Hospital located in Aspinwall, PA .
KEY POINTS
♦ Erect an observatory building, with an electronic movable roof, at the VA hospital.
♦ Purchase a digital telescope and camera, so hospitalized veterans can observe the sky's and stars from inside the hospital, on computers and on a dedicated network.
♦ Astronomy classes for hospitalized veterans, to become astronomers. An activity that can provide life long rewards.
♦ Bus veterans to dedicated “Star Parties” at the Mingo Creek and Wagman Observatories .
♦ Build a library of astronomy at the hospital including, the monthly “Star Guide newsletter, Astronomy magazine and books donated by many of the over 600 amateur member astronomers of the AAAP (Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh ) .
♦ Provide astronomy type activities that veterans can work on as a team to reconfigure saved sightings and identify new stars, constellations and accessing views from other observatories.
♦ This observatory will be the first, for any VA Hospital in the country, and will be the model for others.
* The Stephen P. Barry Assembly of the Knights of Columbus started the astronomy program for disabled veterans, with a $1000 start-up and is providing the funds, with technical and astronomy teaching assistance from the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh. Our K of C brothers (many of our Knights are over 65 years old) standing on corners in 90 degree heat in traffic collecting money and, others going around to Unions and other Associations making presentations for donations are the ones making this a reality. The Stephen P. Barry Assembly of the Knights of Columbus has raised to date, just over $16,000 of the $80,000 needed.
Organizer
James Surman
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
