La Quinta High School Senior, Abigail Wesslen, speaking at our 2024 Annual Holiday Luncheon

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Welcoming New Members and Partners

We’re excited to announce that 23 new members have joined our Chapter for 2024, bringing fresh energy and ideas to our organization. Additionally, we’ve welcomed three new Community Partners, strengthening our ability to collaborate and expand our reach.

These new members and partnerships mark an exciting step forward, allowing us to build on our successes and embrace new challenges in the year ahead. If you haven’t yet joined us, now is the perfect time to get involved! Send us an e-mail to AFAPalmSprings@outlook.com Thanks!

2024: A Year of Growth

2024 was a year of growth and innovation for our Chapter as we introduced new programs and initiatives. Here are some highlights from the year:

• CV Cyber Cup Challenge: Launched in April, this competition featured five local teams (mostly high schools) competing in October and November, with awards scheduled for December.
• Teacher of the Year Success: Our Teacher of the Year candidate won both the local and state awards, with a memorable award ceremony at La Quinta High School in September.
• Veterans Expo: In April, we co-sponsored and participated in the 11th Annual Veterans Expo alongside the Palm Springs Air Museum.
• Field Trip to the Midway: In August, members enjoyed an exciting visit to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego.
• Partnership with Patton Museum: We’re collaborating with the Patton Museum to arrange special offers for AFA members and Air Museum docents—details to come soon!
• Special Guest Speakers: Engaging topics included “The Race to the Moon,” “Drones Over Ukraine,” “Weather,” and “The History of the Desert Training Center/Patton Museum.”
• Annual Holiday Luncheon: Our festive holiday event at the Springs Country Club took place on December 19, bringing members together to celebrate the season.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we head into 2025, we’re building on this year’s successes with even more initiatives and opportunities:

• Strengthened collaboration with the Palm Springs Air Museum, with plans to expand joint programs and activities.
• Greater interaction with organizations like the Salvation Army and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), including participation in the annual Gala in January and the Veterans Expo in April.
• Expansion of the CyberPatriot program to more Valley schools and organizations, including CyberPatriot camps and study sessions. We aim to enhance our local presence and increase competitiveness at the state and national levels.
• Partnerships with groups like CAP, JROTC, and Old Bold Pilots to inspire youth to pursue careers in aviation and provide mentorship opportunities.
• Opportunities for members and others to share their personal stories as guest speakers at our meetings.
• Increased engagement with local, county, and national legislators to advocate for veterans’ needs in the Valley.
• Improved communication platforms to share updates and activities more effectively.
• A renewed focus on growing our membership, enabling us to take on more projects and achieve even greater success.

As we look to the future, we’re energized by the possibilities ahead. Whether you’re a long-time member or considering joining, now is the time to be part of our journey. Let’s make 2025 a remarkable year together! (Special Thanks to Chapter Treasurer Jim Smith for all the info!)