VETERANS SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE IAN

VETERANS SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE IAN

Veterans’ Outreach is always seeking solutions for veterans’ problems.  Thankfully, our office in Pinellas Park, Florida was not harmed by Hurricane Ian.  Our team there has been tirelessly working to provide assistance to veterans that suffered loss from the wrath of Ian. 

Recently, a great opportunity to help from the north came by way of a like-minded agency called Veterans Haven.  They decided to hold a clothing drive and take the load to Florida.  Veterans’ Outreach was able to provide more than a dozen LARGE bags of clothing and several cases of hand sanitizer.  

We are grateful to the generous clothing donors and to Veterans Haven for helping us to help the veterans affected by Ian.  Safe travels to Veterans Haven.

Angels Come in Many Forms!

Many times, there are things that happen that can’t be explained or don’t make sense, or are too good to be true.  I am talking about some angels that are veterans that are now united in motorcycle clubs. They are the roughest and toughest of us all.  They stood tall, volunteered to protect our country, and now they volunteer to help causes in America.  They ride for freedom, they ride for fun, and they ride to help others have a better life.  They have Poker Runs, Dice Runs, and other fundraising – all to benefit worthy causes.

Ronald McDonald House, Honor Flights, Child Abuse, Literacy, Veterans in Need – they have helped them all.

Veterans’ Outreach has been blessed by several fundraising rides hosted by The American Legion, Abate, and The Combat Veterans.

This is the second year that Combat Veterans Association Chapter 12-6 has raised funds for Veterans’ Outreach’s mission.  

COMBAT VETERANS MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION® CHAPTER 12-6

Vets Helping Vets 

(from Combat Veterans Association Chapter 12-6 website)

We are an Association of Combat Veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. As a registered 501c3 veterans’ charity, our chapter’s mission is to support and protect those who have defended our country and our freedoms. Our focus is to provide assistance and help to individual veterans, other veteran organizations and registered charities. We sponsor and participate in many veteran-related motorcycle (and other) charity events each year, and as a non-profit organization, donate to various veteran causes. Our Mission Statement is Veterans Helping Veterans. Our membership is comprised of: Full Members (those with verified combat service), Supporter Members (those who have non-combat military service and have a strong dedication to helping veterans), and Auxiliary Member (Spouses of both Full and Supporter Members).

This year, this club raised funds for Disabled Veterans Outdoors, Honor Flight (Columbus), and Veterans’ Outreach. Last year, they contacted us out of the blue and said they wanted to raise funds for the mission.  The next time we heard from them was when they announced they would be riding their bikes from Cambridge to Youngstown to present the check at our 6th Annual Golf Scramble.  We were blown away by their support, they presented a check of $8,000!

We didn’t expect that…This year we were asked to attend the Honor Flight Event and we encountered a well-organized fundraiser with a great deal of leather-clad men and women, having a great time helping vets.  The event wrapped up their season of fundraising through riding.  It was held at a private home that had a fantastic space developed for just such an event – they call it Da’Shack.  Lots of space, lots of games, and lots of incredibly generous people.  Despite the rain that would not stop from the remains of Hurricane Ian, the event was a great success.  

Between all three of the charities selected, they amassed over $30,000!  Just amazing results from silent auctions, games, raffles, and so forth.

Veterans’ Outreach was presented with a check of $9,000, which was more than the previous year. Commander “Hell-Hound” Vickers said you could also expect more next year!

The passion that these men and women have is spectacular.  These folks are from rural parts of Ohio, these American Heroes, and they keep on setting up new goalposts. Veterans’ Outreach is very honored and grateful that they dedicate so much of their time to move the mission along its path, to respectfully serve and honor all veterans.

OHIO FLAGS OF HONOR CLOSES WITH HONOR.

OHIO FLAGS OF HONOR CLOSES WITH HONOR

Veterans’ Outreach hosted an Ohio Flags of Honor event in 2018.  It was a wonderful experience.  The traveling memorial honored fallen soldiers from Ohio since the war on terror began.  It was a weekend event.  On Friday morning, they arrived with their 895 flags and precisely planted flag holders in the ground with great care regarding spacing.  300 of those flags represented Ohio soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  The rest of the flags had been donated by supporters.

Friday evening hosted a beautiful ceremony that brought recognition and honor to every one of the fallen.  Their names were read, a bell was rung, and the flag was carried to its resting place for the weekend.  There was music to accompany the event that was somber and inspiring.  

The flags were left on display for the rest of the weekend for visitors to read the names of the fallen on the flagpoles.  On Sunday, there was a short ceremony and then a 300-helium balloon release to close the ceremony.

Ohio Flags of Honor held dozens of events across Ohio for many years and have now decided to close the organization.  Veterans’ Outreach hosted a final event a few days ago.  Gold Star families were given the flag that bears their loved one’s name.  The pain and loss don’t ever go away, but those flags really meant something to the families, and they were well received.

Thank you, Ohio Flags of Honor.

VETERAN AND FAMILY BECOME HOMELESS.

VETERAN AND FAMILY BECOME HOMELESS

A veteran recently came to Veterans’ Outreach with a very serious problem.  A series of negative events led to he, his wife, mother-in-law, and daughter becoming homeless.  They both lost their jobs, basically due to health issues.   

We were able to load them up with food from the Freedom Food Pantry and get them into a long stay motel, and referral for employment.

If not for generous donors, and foundation grants, we could not do these things for veterans in need.  Thank you to all that have stepped up to keep Veterans’ Outreach a reliable resource for veterans.

VETERANS RESOURCE FAIR IN ASHLAND KY

Veterans’ Outreach was pleased to join 20 vendors and Ashland Elks to provide resources and a great day for local veterans.  Ashland Elks made burgers and chicken sandwiches on a smoker for veterans and vendors.  It was such a thrill to see so many people wanting to help our veterans.  Mountain Comprehensive Care was set up next to us.  They’ve also donated to help veterans through our Grayson KY office.  They often come by just to visit. A disabled veteran brought homemade wooden Uncle Sam’s to sell and ended up donating them.  He started by donating one to Veterans’ Outreach in appreciation for the assistance provided in the past and then it snowballed to him giving one to all the vendors.  It was a great experience by all that attended.