BY-LAWS SQUAD
This Committee is responsible for keeping the V.V.G.S.Q. By-Laws up to date with all rules, regulations and laws.
FOOD SALE SQUAD
Money that is used for the various V.V.G.S.Q. projects comes from having food sales within San Quentin Prison. This committee runs the business of securing food from outside vendors, selling to the inmates, arranging the food delivery and distribution of the the orders.
25 March 2006 Food Sale. More pictures are located - here -
SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET SQUAD
This Committee is responsible for selecting the high school scholarship winner/s and arranging the banquet details for the presentation of the awards.
HONOR GUARD SQUAD
The VVGSQ provides an honor guard at the GED and college graduations, the 911 remembrance and other functions as requested by the Warden.
SCHOLARSHIP SQUAD
The Scholarship program was started in 1990. Funds are raised from food sales. The money is awarded to the winner or winners of an essay and is a high school senior who has a veteran or honorably discharged parent or guardian and plans on going to college. Family members of the VVGSQ are not eligible for the scholarship. Contact your High School for application or download it from this site. Award winners are honored at a banquet that will be held at San Quentin Prison.
To donate to the Scholarship program contact:
Veterans Group San Quentin - V.G.S.Q.
San Quentin State Prison
1 Main Street
San Quentin, CA 94964
415.455.1460 x 5808
All donations will go to young adults of honorably discharged veterans.
All donations are tax deductible.
Tax Deductable Donatations to the VGSQ for the 2016 Scholarship fund are now being accepted.
Make Donations payable to: "VGSQ"
Veterans Group San Quentin
San Quentin State Prison
1 Main Street
San Quentin, CA 94964
Scholarship winners and Donation Patrons will be acknowledged on the VGSQ website.
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- Scholarship Information
- Scholarship Instructions -
1) Complete the Application including the 250 Word Essay on "What Effect Has My Parents Military Service Had On My Life?"
2) Copy of your School Transcripts
3) Three (3) letters of recommendation
4) Copy of your parents (or legal guardian's) DD 214
5) Copy of your birth certificate (or guardanship papers), showing your relationship to the Veteran
Send all five (5) items above to:
Veterans Group San Quentin
San Quentin State Prison
1 Main Street
San Quentin, CA 94964
Application Deadline is May 1, 2016
- Scholarship Application
- DD214 Application which is a required document needed for one parent or guardian of the student applying for the scholarship.
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* Past Scholarship Award Winners *
- June 2013 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award Winner is Taylor Trummel, Vanden High School, Fairfield, Caifornia
The 2013 Mary Manley Inspirational Award winner is Daniel Lindstrom, Los Lomas High School, Walnut Creek, California
The 2013 Marcy Orosco Award winner is ~ Katherine Braun, Livermore High School, Livermore, California
- June 2012 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award Winner - Saskia Tingey, Healdsburg High
School, Healdsburg, CA
The 2nd Place Award Winner - Olivia Piazza, Tomales High School, Tomales, CA
(Additional Scholarship money for the 2012 Winners was provided by a generous donation from Marcy Orosco).
- July 9, 2011 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner - Rosa-Maria Valdes, Vanden High School, Fairfield, California
The 2nd Place Award Winner - Kameryn Ray, Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, California
The 3rd Place Award Winner - Jon Rich, Rancho Cotate High School, Rohnert Park, California
The 2011 Mary Manley Inspirational Award Winner - Ke'Ana Coverson, Benicia High School, Benicia, California
2011 Scholarship Award Banquet Photos
(Additional Scholarship money for the 2011 Winners was provided by a generous donation from Marcy Orosco).
- June 12, 2010 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner - Emma C. Irving , Tomales High School, Tomales, California
The 2010 Mary Manley Inspirational Award Winner - Julia R. Cratty , Casa Grande High School, Petaluma, California
The 2010 Honorable Mention Award Winners - Steven M. Sigley, Jr., Vanden High School, Fairfield, California and Elise C. Kerner, Vacaville High School, Vacaville, California
(Scholarship money for the 2010 Honorable Mention Award Winners provided by generous donations from Marci Orosco, Program Director of the Salvation Army Harbor House Veterans Program and Marilynn Murphy of the Episcopal Diocese.)
Scholarship Award Winners, their parents and the 2010 V.V.G.S.Q. Scholarship Committee
2010 Scholarship Award Banquet Photos
- June 27, 2009 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial.Scholarship Award winner - Joseph Noblet, Fallbrook High School, Fallbrook, California
- June 21, 2008 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner name unknown
- June 30, 2007 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner - Christine Lopes, Piner High School, Santa Rosa, California
- June 10, 2006 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner - Clay Brandl, St. Helena High School, St. Helena, California
The 2006 Mary Manley Inspirational Award Winner - Zazanne Cribbs
2006 Scholarship Awards Banquet Photos .
- June 11, 2005 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner - Amanda Martinez, Casa Grande High School, Petaluma, California
The 2005 Mary Manley Inspirational Award Winner - Stephanie Gibson, Berkeley High School, Berkeley, California
2005 Scholarship Awards Banquet Photos .
- 2004 UPDATE from the June 27, 2004 General Membership Meeting:
"Chairman Stipe proposed adopt the name Mary Manley Inspirational
Award for future recipients, on the condition that funds are
available, and suitable application is submitted. Motion adopted."
- June 12, 2004 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner - Melissa Johnson
The Inspirational Award Winner - Mary Manley, Wilcox High School, Santa Clara, California
2004 Inspirational Award Winner's Journal .
2004 Scholarship Awards Banquet Photos .
- 2002 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner - Chelsea Regan
- 2000 Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship Award winner- Mike Atwood
- 1997 UPDATE from the November 8, 1997 General Membership Meeting:
"With the passing of A. Haseltine, a man who has served in the V.V.G.S.Q. for almost as long as the group has been in existence, not to mention serving as the Chairman for several years. His passing will be felt for a long time. In honor and respect to his long service to the group, Johnson made a motion to name the annual scholarship award the Alvin J. Haseltine Memorial Scholarship award. A discussion among the members followed. After the discussion, Larry Faison seconded. The motion carried."
- May 1995 Scholarship Award winner - Gwendolyn Nelson
- May 1993 Scholarship Award winner - Susan Evers .
- May 1989 Scholarship Award winner - Mary J. Richards
- May 1988 1st Scholarship Award winner - Lara Schmidt
STAMPS FOR SOLDIERS Squad
Canceled stamps are collected from mainline, condemned row and R/C prisoners. After collecting the stamps, they are sent to the Wounded Warrior Program at the Walter Reed Hospital and distributed to disabled military veterans. (The Stamps for Soldiers program needs used stamps still on the ripped off corners of envelopes.) Wounded veterans work on developing eye and hand coordination by peeling the used stamps off the corners of th envelopes.
The disabled veterans peel off the stamps as a form of physical therapy and create "Collages" and other works of art.
Currently the VGSQ is looking for a location to send the stamps
CAMARADERIE NIGHT SQUAD
This Committee is responsible for selecting a military movie and arranging the group activity.
TABS FOR TOT'S SQUAD
The Tab program originally began in 1987 by a group of 30 families from VFW Post #295 in South St. Paul, Minnesota. They collected the tabs, cashed them in and presented a $120.00 check to the Ronald McDonald House. The money is used to assist families who have children with cancer
1,280 tabs = 1 pound = $.60
12,800 tabs = 10 pounds = $6.00
128,000 tabs = 100 pounds = $60.00
1,280,000 tabs = 1,000 pounds = $600.00
(*Approximate value; actual value changes on a daily basis.)
The V.V.G.S.Q. started collecting Tabs for Tot's project in March 2008.
Tabs for Tot's is sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House Charities to assist families who have children with cancer. The cash received from the tabs is used to help pay for the medical treatment and housing of children whose families are not able to fully cover their medical bills. Read about the project - here. - If you would like to donate your Tabs For Tot's, search the
Ronald McDonald House Charities website to locate a center near you that accepts the tabs.
PRESENTATION BOXES SQUAD
At the September 28, 2008 General Membership meeting the Presentation Boxes project began. It involves making wooden boxes from cedar timbers with a long history....
In 1849 the ship The Waban sailed from New York to the San Francisco coast where a few years later it became the first California prison. Once the prison was built on land, The Waban was decommissioned and some of the cedar beams were reused as the building structure for a library and education building at San Quentin prison. In 2008 that building was demolished but the cedar beams were again salvaged to be reused in the new San Quentin hospital's artium. The remaining cedar beams are being made into wooden boxes and are being presented by the VVGSQ to wounded military and honorable men and women.
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The Waben
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TOY PROGRAM SQUAD
The Holiday Toy Program began in 1988. Today the VVGSQ organizes and runs the Toy Program each year. The program benefits all the children who come to visit family at San Quentin during the Holiday Season.
The Warden has authorized the VVGSQ to sponsor this program and several years ago the group purchased the "Santa" suit, beard and wig that is used for an appearance of Santa to the children each year in the visiting room. (Note: Due to current prison guidelines, the appearance of Santa in the visiting room was discontinued in 2010.)
December 2016 will be the 28th year the program has been giving away toys.
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2016 Toy Program will be held December 2016
A Very Special Thank You for the donation of toys for the 2015 Toy Program
United States Marine Corps Reserve Center
900 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 244-9806
A Very Special Thank You for the donation of toys for the 2014 Toy Program
United States Marine Corps Reserve Center
900 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 244-9806
A Very Special Thank You for the donation of toys for the 2013 Toy Program
United States Marine Corps Reserve Center
900 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 244-9806
A Very Special Thank You for the donation of toys for the 2012 Toy Program
United States Marine Corps Reserve Center
900 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 244-9806
A Very Special Thank You for the donation of toys for the 2011 Toy Program
United States Marine Corps Reserve Center
900 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 244-9806
2010 - Happy recipients of the 2010 Toy Program with their toys
A Very Special "Thank You" to the following supporters for their Toy and Monetary donations to the 2010 Toy Program:
The 2010 Christmas Toy Program was a HUGE success due to the generous donations from:
St. Paul's Episcopal Church of San Rafael
Willie MacLean on behalf of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club
Ms. Jean Saya of Cal-Skate Roller Rink
Reaching Behind the Walls
Kid Street Learning Center
Ms. Monnica Thelen
Ms. Patricia Mulligan
Mr. Silas Geneson
The United States Marine Corps, San Bruno, CA Reserve Center
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2009 - Santa, VVGSQ members and Happy Children
San Quentin Prison visiting area - December, 2009
Here are more pictures of the event.
A very special "Thank You" to the following supporters for their Toy and Monetary donations making the 2009 Toy Program a success:
San Quentin Warden Wong and the Administration, Lt. and Mrs. M. Cramer - V.V.G.S.Q. Sponsor (Retired), Lt. K. Evans - V.V.G.S.Q. Sponsor, Debra Sheldon - V.V.G.S.Q. Co-Sponsor, All San Quentin Visiting Room Staff, Fr. Barber - Catholic Chaplain S.J., Deacon Chuck and Patricia Cancilla, M. Curry Jr. - Pastor Protestant Chapel, United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys-For-Tots Foundation (San Bruno Branch), Holy Family Men's and Women's Clubs, The Kain Family, The Tunac Family, Real Choices Group, Deacon Oscar Macachor St. Joachim, St. Joachim School and Parish, St. Vincent DePaul Society - St. Joachim, Hells Angels Motorcycle Club - Oakland Chapter, Victor and Judy Perrella, Volunteers from the Catholic Church, Arts in Corrections Group San Quentin, Vietnam Veterans Group of San Quentin, American Indian Group San Quentin, Paula Wold - U.S. Navy Alcohol Counselor School, Reaching Beyond the Walls, American Evangelical Christian Church, Clair-Elizabeth DeSophia - Full Circle Addiction Recovery, Jean and Eric Saya - Calskate RP Roller Rink, The Gallardo Family and Carol Jackson.
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2005 - Santa with VVGSQ members (Santa and Santa's helpers), and outside supporters
San Quentin Prison visiting room - December 18, 2005
WEB PAGE SQUAD
The VVGSQ Committee formed April 2010 for the purpose of keeping the Web Page information updated and preserving the History of the V.V.G.S.Q.
SAN QUENTIN MEDIA SQUAD
The VVGSQ Committee formed August 2012 for the purpose of keeping the VVGSQ in the news.
*November 1, 2008, from the Annual Operation:Mom Packing Day. More pictures of the event are located here.
