West Newsmagazine 4-19-17

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Working Warriors
Giving veterans a helping hand
April 19, 2017
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I 60TH ANNIVERSARY I 33
Congratulations West County Chamber
By MARY SHAPIRO
For many local military
veterans, service members
and their families, the
Working Warriors networking
group, sponsored
by the West St. Louis
County Chamber of Commerce,
is providing a vital
opportunity to build relationships
and engage in
commerce.
Dennis Cooper, senior
vice president of the
HECM division of the
Federal Savings Bank and
chamber board member,
is a co-chair of the program, along with
Howard Berliner and Irwin Loiterstein
from the Kaufman Fund.
“The group got started about two and a
half years ago,” Cooper said. “There was
a perceived need for a group that could
help veterans find jobs and connect them
with potential employers, as well as bring
veterans together with people who work
for companies with veterans’ discounts or
others interested in helping them.”
The group meets from 9-10 a.m. on
the second Wednesday of each month in
the community meeting room at Lucky’s
Market, 15830 Fountain Plaza Drive in
Ellisville. Those attending can bring business
cards and take part in networking
while enjoying coffee and a light breakfast.
Cooper said the number attending varies,
from about 12 to about 30 each month.
Do you know?
The chamber averages nine events per
month including a veterans networking
group known as Working Warriors, a young
professionals group, a social media group
and a women’s group, to name a few.
April 12, 2017 – Manchester Mayor David Willson speaks to a
gathering of Working Warriors.
“We’re loosely affiliated with the
Kaufman Fund, which is a veterancentered
charity that gives veterans an
opportunity to find jobs and gives employers
a chance to connect with really good
potential employees,” Cooper said. “Also,
veterans with an entrepreneurial type of
business can publicize those.”
Through the Kaufman Fund, Cooper said
Working Warriors has helped to provide
about 325 Christmas trees and stands to
deserving veterans. “Also, we’ve developed
a couple scholarships for the children
or grandchildren of veterans who come
back home and belong to the West County
chamber,” he said. “A lot of that kind of
money is available for those who die or are
injured while in the service, but there’s not
a lot available for others.”
Cooper is an Air Force veteran.
“If you served in the military, you signed
a blank check, not knowing where you
were going or when you were going back –
veterans and service members deserve any
benefits available to them,” he said.
“Also, the group is a great place to
socialize with others. We’re successful,
and we’re trying to help as many people
as we can.”
Congratulations
to the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce
on their 60th Anniversary!
Elected Offcials and Staff of the City of Manchester
Representative
Bruce DeGroot
District 101
Ballwin, Chesterfield, Clarkson
Valley, Ellisville, Wildwood
Committees: Judiciary -
Utilities - Special Committee
on Litigation Reform
573-751-1247
Bruce.DeGroot@house.mo.gov
Representative
Derek Grier
District 100
Ballwin, Chesterfield,
Manchester, Winchester
Committees: Vice Chairman
Special Committee on
Innovation and Technology -
Economic Development -
Local Government -
Special Committee on Tax
Policy for Working Families
573-751-9765
Derek.Grier@house.mo.gov
Representative
Dean Plocher
District 89
Chesterfield, Creve Coeur,
Country Life Acres,
Des Peres, Frontenac,
Huntleigh, Kirkwood,
Town & Country
Committees: Utilities
Vice Chairman - Economic
Development - Special
Committee on Urban Issues
- Subcommittee on Urban
Community Economic
Development
573-751-1544
Dean.Plocher@house.mo.gov
Representative
Shamed Dogan
District 98
Ballwin, Ellisville, Fenton,
Wildwood
Committees: Rules
Legislative Oversight Vice
Chairman - Elementary
and Secondary Education -
Crime Prevention and Public
Safety - Subcommittee on
Education Savings Accounts
- Subcommittee on Police/
Community Relations
573-751-4392
Shamed.Dogan@house.mo.gov
Representative
Kirk Mathews
District 110
Ellisville, Eureka, Pacific,
Wildwood
Committees: General Laws
Vice Chairman - Professional
Registration and Licensing
- Rules Administrative
Oversight
573-751-0562
Kirk.Mathews@house.mo.gov
St. Louis County Council
Mark Harder
District 7
Ballwin, Chesterfield,
Clarkson Valley, Ellisville,
Eureka, Manchester, Pacific,
Wildwood, Winchester
Committees: Revenue and
Personnel Committee
Justice Health and Welfare
Committee on Disabilities
314-615-5443
mharder@stlouisco.com
Representative
Jean Evans
District 99
Fenton, Manchester,
Twin Oaks, Valley Park
Committees: General Laws
- Workforce Development
- Special Committee on
Innovation and Technology
573-751-3859
Jean.Evans@house.mo.gov
Representative
Mark Matthiesen
District 70
Bridgeton, Chesterfield,
Creve Coeur, Maryland
Heights, St. Charles
Committees: Government
Efficiency Vice Chairman -
Elementary and Secondary
Education - Special
Committee on Tourism
573-751-4163
Mark.Matthiesen@house.mo.gov
St. Louis County Council
Colleen Wasinger
District 3
Ballwin, Chesterfield, Country
Life Acres, Crestwood, Creve
Coeur, Crystal Lake Park, Des
Peres, Kirkwood, Fenton,
Frontenac, Huntleigh, Ladue,
Manchester, Sunset Hills,
Town & Country,
Twin Oaks, Valley Park,
Warson Woods, Westwood,
Winchester
Committees:
Public Improvement
Revenue and Personnel
314-615-5438
cwasinger@stlouisco.com
Manchester’s City Hall,
previously known as the
“Lyceum”.
Manchester’s Veterans
Memorial on Henry
Avenue
Manchester’s
Police and Court
Headquarters
Manchester’s Aquatic
Center located in Paul
Schroeder Park
Please contact us with thoughts or concerns