A couple weeks ago, a man and wife stopped into our office in dire need of help. They have five kids and zero income. The gentleman explained that his IU benefits from the VA had been cut off. IU is short for Individual Unemployability, this I did not know.
He had changed addresses and somehow, his benefits were cut off. We immediately cut him a check for his utilities, which were about to be cut off, and talked with him and his wife about their situation.
In finding out more he stated that they were sent to us by the Morgan County Social Services, and that he had no idea that we were here. It is uplifting when you know that a county agency and Veterans’ Outreach can work together to the betterment of a veteran and his family. Before he left we gave him the hotline number to Trump’s veterans call center as it was instituted for cases such as these. The number is 1-855-948-2311, I have heard that it works, give it a try.
This week’s Case of the Week comes from our Sarasota, FL office written by the FL regional manager, Bob Graham.
We were contacted by a veteran who had PTSD and just recently completed treatment. The veteran and his wife have been homeless, but fortunately, they are getting some temporary shelter.
Along with this, they have no money for food or other basic necessities. We are so happy they contacted our office. We were able to give to them a donated food card from Aldi which should buy them enough groceries for the next couple weeks while he starts a part-time job.
This week’s case comes from our Hartselle, AL office.
When talking with a veteran they found out that he was in dire straights and needed medical attention badly. Unfortunately, the only opening the VA had for him was in January of 2018. At that moment the Hartselle office took action. They told this individual that we would do all we can to help him. They contacted the VA in Huntsville and told us that he would have to go to the Birmingham VA as an “on call” patient.
After deciding that this was not a feasible thing to do for this individual, the Hartselle office called the administration at the Huntsville VA and the regional director at which point only was only able to leave voicemails. So, they took it to Washington DC and called the VA admin there. The folks there were very helpful. Within 2 hours this veteran was receiving multiple phone calls from the VA and was able to secure an appointment. We are very happy with the outcome and it just shows that a little persistence goes a long way when it comes to helping anyone or anything in need.
Today, we would like to share a “Case of the Week” from our corporate office in Liberty Ohio. A veteran and his wife visited our office today, very distraught. Although they are a working couple, they had gotten behind with their water bill, and the utility had been shut off for a few days now. Other unforeseen issues had cropped up and depleted their funds.
The amount due was high. Bob, our Services Director, was able to negotiate with the water company to reduce the bill and get the reconnection fee waived. Veterans’ Outreach was able to pay a large portion of the bill and the water was turned on the same day. We were also able to give them a large tote of groceries as well. The couple was relieved, grateful, and eager to move forward with their lives.
Today, we share a “Case of the Week” from our Sarasota, FL office.
We were contacted by a veteran who has some employment but, with 3 children (ages 2, 4, and 6) when Hurricane Irma struck Tampa, she could not work (employed by Engineering Consulting Services to inspect and report on roadway asphalt and concrete problems) as her Day Care facility was forced to close. Her husband is in a treatment facility for a painkiller problem and she was evicted from her home for non-payment. She is temporarily staying with her sister-in-law, who also has 3 children, but she needs money for food, personal items like diapers, and gas. We were able to help her get back on her feet through a check from our Emergency Fund, and she is extremely grateful.
Today we bring you a “Case of the Week” from our Liberty Ohio office. A Navy veteran was referred to our office by another agency. A young lady, his girlfriend had dropped him off at our door. This veteran had been to many places seeking help, but none had been able to help him.
He had lost a lot of weight and didn’t have proper clothing for his workplace. He had recently secured employment that required casual dress. Bob Julian, our Services Director, asked one of our volunteers to help the veteran look through our “Hero’s Closet” clothing pantry. They found him several pairs of pants, shirts, and even some nice coats. We also gave him the large tote of groceries through our “Serve Veterans Now Food Pantry” (provided by a grant from WalMart Foundation) that would keep him in food for at least a couple of weeks.
In addition to all of that, we gave him a gift card for Walmart to purchase under clothes and a gas card to help get him around town. When his girlfriend returned, she asked him how it went. His response was “This is a 5 star place”.
Today, we share a “Case of the Week” from our Hartselle AL office.
Last weekend, our “Outreach Program” was at a new fundraising location in Tuscumbia Alabama. The representative was setup with our signage on the table as required, when our guy was approached by a veteran in need. He had some questions, and needed help. The rep took the time to talk to the man and find out his concerns. He then gave the man our phone number and all our information. The veteran called on Monday and needed assistance with food, and Ms. Carol is on top of it. My point is, everyone went the extra mile to help out a veteran. Our “Outreach Program” at the venue did exactly what we hope for, we reached out to a specific veteran right there, right then. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
Lend an Ear to Help a Veteran
Today, we want to share a “Case of the Week” from our Alabama office.
Today, we had a local veteran stop by the office to say hello. He has been getting wave after wave of bad luck. His wife passed away recently from a serious illness. He is trying to sell his house and is getting no takers, will probably face foreclosure, and needs to buy a truck so he can relocate. He himself has had a serious illness that he has beaten.
I believe that he just wanted some company for a while so he could share what was happening in his life. He wasn’t asking for anything but time and an ear or two. We listened and talked for a while and our office manager Carol packed up about a weeks worth of food for him to take to the house. At times you wonder just how much a person can take and what may happen to them, especially if they don’t have someone to listen.
