Pen Turn-A-Thon for Veterans

Based on last year's success of the BRW's Pen Turn-A-Thon for Veterans project in which our members turned 100 pens that were donated for Veterans Day to those living in the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Salem. VA, the BRW Board has decided to repeat this project for Veterans Day, 2024.  The donated pens gave a great deal of joy to those who served in the armed forces of our country and to who we owe a big "Thank you for your service."  They really appreciated the recognition they so richly deserve.

In order to fulfill the project goal of donating pens to our veterans at the Virginia Veterans Care Center, we will again be turning pens for them on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Williamson Road Masonic Lodge located at 3025 Pioneer Road, Roanoke, VA 24012.  The BRW has purchased the required pen kits and we need volunteers to prepare them for turning into pens. At the April 11th BRW meeting we will ask for volunteers to please drill 7mm holes through the wood or acrylic pen blanks, glue the brass tubes into them, and trim the ends square and to length.  We will also have on hand some wood and acrylic pen blanks for the volunteers to use or they can supply their own pen blanks from home.  It will be greatly appreciated if several people would bring to the April 11th meeting wood or acrylic pen blanks to be prepared for turning.  These should measure at least 5/8" square in cross section by 5" long to a max. of a 3/4" square in cross section by 5" long.

What, you've never turned a pen before!  Not a problem.  We have many experienced pen turners in the BRW who will be at the Turn-A-Thon and would be glad to teach you how to prepare pen blanks and how to turn them into your very own work of art.  So come on down and have fun learning a new turning skill amongst great camaraderie.  We will supply all you need to make a pen, including the turning tools.  Also, bring a friend.