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We're celebrating five decades of service and advocacy for underserved veterans. We invite our wonderful community of supporters to join us in celebrating this amazing milestone and honoring our heroes!
November 7th | 6 pm – 10 pm
The Green Room at the SF War Memorial Building
401 Van Ness Ave, 2nd floor
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Join us for a reception featuring live jazz, songs by Country Joe McDonald, and plentiful drinks and appetizers. No formal dinner, just good company, mingling, and memorable moments! A brief speaking program will start at 7:30 pm, and we'll have accessible and reserved seating for our older guests and those participating in the program.
Street Parking:
Ample metered parking is available on Franklin Street by 5 pm, near the SFUSD Admin Building (555 Franklin St) — just across from the venue.
Garage Parking:
Performing Arts Garage (360 Grove St) — or Civic Center Garage (355 McAllister St).
Business or cocktail attire — no need for black tie. For a feel of our style, check out photos from last year's event on Flickr here.
During this year's reception, we're honoring Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares' Executive Director Emeritus, who transitioned to an emeritus role in October 2024. He has spent 48 years working to build Swords to Plowshares into the nationally recognized organization it is today.
Michael Blecker’s legacy with Swords to Plowshares is one of bold leadership and unwavering commitment to veterans. Joining the organization in 1976, just two years after its founding, Michael’s journey began with legal advocacy for fellow Vietnam veterans, laying the groundwork for what would become a lifetime of service. Appointed Executive Director in 1982, he steered the organization through tumultuous times, growing its annual budget from $75,000 to over $30 million, and cementing its reputation as the nation’s leader in comprehensive care for underserved veterans. His tireless efforts helped shape policies that transformed veterans’ access to housing, healthcare, and legal services, and he helped build partnerships and coalitions that champion the rights of all veterans. As we celebrate 50 years of Swords to Plowshares, we honor Michael’s remarkable impact, humble spirit, and lifelong commitment to justice. Following his transition this October, Michael will continue his advocacy in an emeritus role, where he will engage with our community’s veterans and push for bold policy changes to uphold our country’s promises to those who served.
IN THE NEWS - San Francisco Chronicle
S.F. man who changed the way the country treats homeless veterans to step down from nonprofit.
Read the article: Read more
We're grateful for the partners who make our work possible.
If you're unable to participate in our 50th Anniversary Celebration on November 7th, we'll miss you. This anniversary marks five decades of dedicated service to veterans, and your support is crucial to continue this legacy. By making a donation, you sustain vital services for 3,000 veterans locally and support advocacy for national policy changes that enhance the systems of care veterans rely on.
Donate today and be a part of our legacy!
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