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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2695 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 An Inspiring Look At One Blind Veteran Who Helps So Many Others (NAPSA)—Years of helping other blinded veterans paid off recently for one dedicated volunteer, in the form of the Department of Veterans Affairs’s (VA) National Male Volunteer of the Year award. James Hogan has logged more than 2,800 hours of voluntary service as one of 260 volunteers nationwide performing 34,177 hours of service a year through the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). Since 1945, BVA has assisted blinded veterans and their families in adjusting to life without sight and in regaining confidence and independence. The organization of blinded veterans helping blinded veterans was originally founded by combat-blinded veterans of World War II. Through service programs, regional groups, resources, and advocacy before the legislative and executive branches of government, it makes life better for blinded veterans. There’s no charge for any BVA service and you don’t have to be a member to get help. All legally blinded veterans are eligible for assistance whether they become blind during or after active-duty military service. BVA volunteers work out of VA medical centers, outpatient clinics and regional offices but are also active in their communities. The volunteers are often blinded veterans themselves but they can also be spouses, family members, and friends of BVA. For example, Hogan’s dedicated service has also involved his wife, Pam, who vol- Jim Hogan with Atticus, his guide dog, has been named Department of Veterans Affairs’s Male Volunteer of the Year. unteers with him. In addition, his guide dog of nine years, Atticus, has also served as a therapy dog at times for VA hospital patients. The volunteers help blinded veterans get the assistance they need when they need it. Sometimes, volunteers speak one on one with blinded veterans; at other times, they listen and share ideas in groups. BVA volunteers provide information on programs and services, encouraging blinded veterans to use the opportunities that will help them become more independent and self-sufficient. They also demonstrate equipment and aids used by the blind. Hogan performs a multitude of volunteer tasks as a VA volunteer, serving blind and visually im- paired veterans in the Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) program. He helps veterans attend fishing trips by arranging transportation for them and with VIST Support Group activities. One of his specialties is also outreach to younger Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) veterans and their families regarding benefits, adjustment to disability and educational opportunities. Hogan visits regularly with veterans and mobilizes his Disabled American Veterans chapter to bring treats and cheer to hospitalized patients. He also works with Vietnam Veterans of America on their annual Homeless Stand Downs, and helps the Elks raise funds for an annual veterans’ luncheon and the Boy Scouts place more than 6,000 flags on veterans’ graves on Memorial Day. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Hogan was diagnosed with hearing loss as a young boy and quickly began using hearing devices. Determined to fulfill his dream of serving his country, he enlisted in the Navy at the height of the Vietnam War. After serving in Vietnam combat areas, he reentered civilian life in 1973. Ten years later, he was diagnosed with Ushers II, a degenerative disease that causes both vision and hearing loss. Learn More For further facts on BVA, what it can do and how you can help, go to www.bva.org or call (800) 6697079. Simple Tips To Get Growing At Home (NAPSA)—There may be few things more satisfying than growing colorful flowers or eating vegetables picked fresh from the garden. That might seem ambitious if you haven’t gardened before, but getting started this year need not be difficult. Just follow these simple gardening tips to enjoy the benefits of fresh air, gentle exercise and healthy produce: 1) Pick your spot with care. Plants need sun and water to survive. Vegetables and most flowers need full sun—at least six hours of sunlight every day during the growing season. Plant close to an outdoor water source to make hot weather watering easier. 2) Start with the soil. Because plants live by their roots, the most important part of any garden is below ground. Most soil around houses isn’t ideal for plants but can be improved by adding nutrient-rich organic matter, usually in the form of compost, shredded leaves or composted manure. Bagged soil mixes marked specifically for growing vegetables are ideal for containers. 3) Keep your first garden manageable. For beginners, try a plot 4 feet by 8 feet, or half a dozen good-sized (24–36”) containers. That’s enough to provide a satisfying harvest of herbs, greens or a few tomato plants while you get a feel for the amount of time and effort it takes to water and weed. Pots are the easiest to control soil, water and light. Creating a container garden of vegetables, herbs and patio flowers is a good place for novices to start. 4) Get a head start. Some vegetables and flowers may need to be started from seed 6–8 weeks before it’s safe to plant them outside. You’ll need to do this for tomatoes, Burpee offers a wide range of flowers, vegetables and herbs to grow at home. peppers, eggplants and petunias. But other favorites like zucchini, cucumbers, beans and sunflowers are easily sown in the ground with seed. You can learn more about starting and sowing seeds at www.burpee.com. Planting time will vary in each growing zone, but is generally best in the late spring. 5) Watch your garden grow. It’s fun for the whole family to observe seeds taking root and growing into plants. Be sure to water and weed regularly as you wait for the bounty of your first harvest. Burpee’s free Garden Time Planner app makes planting in specific garden regions easy. To download the app, buy non-GMO seeds and plants, or to access helpful “how-to” articles and videos, visit www.burpee.com or call (800) 888-1447.