With this being Women’s History Month, I cannot let this slide unless I bring up the three women in my life that encouraged me to do the things I’ve done that have led me to fulfilling experiences, through building up a charity that has enabled me to touch the lives of thousands of veterans and their families in a positive way through Veterans’ Outreach.

You never know which way your life is going to turn or what might be around the corner. It started with my mother, Grace.  She was courageous, funny, loving, and very inspiring.  She loved me hard and joined me in some nutty projects with little regret, even though some of them never worked.  She loved me unconditionally; I remember her singing and whistling while she worked.

I remember working in my vocals during Sunday school class for she was our Sunday school teacher and instructor. It led the way for me singing in front of millions of people one day with a 20-piece band behind me singing at the All-Star game in front of hundreds of millions of people on TV, plus I spent many years in theater as well.

She was a model and she loved posing for the camera and ended up on even local billboards. During World War II, she was even referred to as a Rosie, taken from Rosie the Riveter because she worked in factories supporting the war effort.

Her future husband, my father, was almost killed in Pearl Harbor. She went on to have seven children and three of them were full term stillbirths.  Because of those early experiences and tragedies, she was tough and learned to cope with difficult times.  I’d like to think that I inherited some of that strength that she embodied.

The other woman in my life that I have everything to thank for now is my wife, Teri.

It has been 40 plus years she’s had to put up with me.  I am more in love with her now than I’ve ever been. She is my partner in a big way, she is the Executive Director. God also blessed us with three wonderful children and six grandchildren that we adore!

Her education and experiences over the years prepared her for the wonderful life’s work and opportunity to serve and honor veterans.  There are a lot of steps and story to building Veterans’ Outreach.  Last year she was voted as one of the “Most Remarkable Women of the Valley” and “Hometown Hero”.

Her stewardship has brought the charity to platinum status on GuideStar, and 100% compliance with Charity Navigator.  In an interview late last year, she mentioned that we needed a bigger building to expand our programs for veterans.  That led to the purchase of our next national headquarters.  This move will expand our space by 700%!

The complex of three brick buildings sits on 2.6 acres with a HUGE parking lot.

Now that is very cool.

The third woman in my life that I would like to recognize, is our daughter Elisha. In the early beginnings of the charity, at the age of five or six, she volunteered to help make patriotic buttons as thank you gifts for donors.  She is a beautiful blonde with genius scribed on her brain. She had decided to move to North Carolina to finish her education where she found the mountain man of her dreams. She finished her bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservancy.  That led her to be the Executive Director of an animal shelter in Tennessee until she was picked up by Bissell Corporation Pet Foundation to help relocate animals that were in bad situations at other shelters nationwide.

When Covid 19 hit in 2020, as you know, things changed. She and her husband and two sons decided to move north to be closer to family.  They have settled in Jefferson Ohio.  She handles the graphics needs, advertising, and social media for Veterans’ Outreach.  She is also a wife, mom to two little boys, and handles a small farm also.

I also have two lovely daughters-in-law that have made our family complete.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that several other women handle very important responsibilities in the life of Veterans’ Outreach – from Board members, Regional Managers, Business Relations Managers, critical administrative positions, and volunteers.  Without the women in my life, things would not go very well. So, briefly, that is my salute to this month’s honoring women. I am very blessed to have these ladies in my life to help me carry on with the charity that is making a big difference in the quality of veteran’s lives.

If anybody would like to follow up and give me some feedback or get involved in some way, you will not be disappointed.  You can reach me at [email protected].

John Ely

 Veterans’ Outreach first 2023 Special Event was a humbling success. “Tine Time” was something we had never done, and we are so grateful for the support from our attendees and sponsors.  100% of those funds will go to our mission, helping our vets in need! We don’t receive a penny of Government funds. We are 29 years in the making and helping veterans hundreds of thousands of times.

This Event was made possible by a local patriot, who remains anonymous.  He had a down payment for the space at the swanky Lake Club, by Poland, Ohio for a special event in his life that was cancelled because of Covid.  He decided to donate his deposit to Veterans’ Outreach to host an event for veterans aid and awareness.

The Event was a Valentine Dinner Dance, we called the “The Tine Time”.  Tine has many meanings like PURE, God is Abundance, etc…little did we know!  We wanted this event to be for everyone, not a sweetheart occasion, but a time to celebrate love, friendship, and veterans.  We asked our 4-year-old grandson if he had an idea for the Event’s name since we were stumped.  We offered him a bunch of options and he looked at us like we were off our rocker and said “You’re a Tine”.  It stuck and the name “Tine Time” was adopted, coming from the mouth of the babes.

The room was beautifully decorated, the games and auctions were intriguing, the food was delightful, and the premier of the six piece Leather and Lace Dance Band was fun and fantastic!  There was a basket auction, 50/50, Poker, and a Silent Auction. Everyone had a blast of a time. The only sour note came from my wife, Teri, who developed  laryngitis and wasn’t even able to whisper. She smiled pretty and kept things in order without a word.  I am so proud of her, voted as one of 2022’s  “Most Remarkable Woman” and then during Veterans’ Day week, honored with the “Hometown Hero” award along with Veterans’ Outreach!

There were four types of appetizers passed by the wait staff.  There were three entrees, four or five sides, and cakes for dessert!  The band came together after my suggestion that I would like a bigger presence for the Lake Club.  Jennifer Cancio, the band’s leader, pulled together three more musicians and it seemed like they’d been together for a long time.  The band enjoyed the experience so much that they decided to pursue more jobs together.

We have many other events happening this year, next is the “Stars and Strikes” Bowling Tournament in April.   We hope you’ll be able join us whether as a player or a sponsor.  All proceeds benefit local veterans.

Veteransoutreach.org is our site.  We are very active on Facebook.  We publish a monthly newsletter…to keep you up to date of the many services that are helping our veterans in need. If you would like to get involved, become a sponsor/donor, volunteer, partner, developer, or just a veteran loving patriot, please let us know.

 We have operations Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Kentucky, Florida, and Alabama. We have a big footprint and looking forward in helping grow into other states as well!  Funds raised stay in the state they originated from.

 You can reach me at 888.2.VET.NET or 330.755.5792 or email me at [email protected]

God Bless our nation and our veterans that volunteer to protect it!

We must respectfully serve and honor them today and every day.

John Ely, President