The HARDEST part of asking for help is to reach out and make the connection.

        From time to time, questions arise regarding our services and need for funding, when we say that we are a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization.  To be fair, all of our services are generally free to veterans; HOWEVER, our team is made of volunteers  who work in the community, and many of them are employed in professional careers. 

 

        Consider this:  Most veterans who reach out to us have significant needs that other organizations can not or will not work with. What happens when a veteran in crisis calls 12-20 times in a day /night?  Someone trained in conflict resolution has to take that call and teach healthy limits. Telling our veterans to go to the nearest emergency room or call the veterans crisis line almost always guarantees a veteran shutting down and can lead to that veteran committing suicide. 

 

        The average cost to resolve a veteran issue is about $640.00, and in some of our cases, our team members incur extra expenses as they help.  This is because our team members are expected to address issues in their "after" hours, transport veterans to VA facilities during working hours, make multiple phone calls to develop resources, create and mail documentation to substantiate legal issues, or travel out of state /country with little to no advance notice.  We simply can't ask our volunteers to absorb the operational costs for travel expenses, tolls, and both lodging and meals; otherwise we would not have volunteers.

 

         So, although we do not pay salaries to our team, we have found that these material and time expenses MUST be reimbursed if we are to keep our volunteers and continue providing the services our veterans need and appreciate.  We do have people who make small monthly donations to support our veteran activities, but often, it is not enough complete a complex case like a Vietnam Nurse who needed us to go to Washington, DC and present photographic evidence of HOW she was injured on active duty in a war zone.

 

        Yes, we do go to these lengths for our veterans and have learned that we need to estimate costs and ask for help / funds to meet these needs. 

 

         Would you like to help with a one time donation or recurring monthly gift?  Here are some ideas for how you can sponsor a veteran:

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One night's lodging and 2 meals for a homeless veteran and / or family is approximately $125.00 (off season).

One trip to Togus for veteran benefits eligibility and/or VA emergency room services is approximately $45.00.

One legal consultation with a private practice attorney is $300.00. 

One private health consultation with a report and recommendations for treatment is approximately $225.00.

One gas card or bus fare to access specialized care ranges from $25.00 to 128.00.

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