The Veterans of Foreign Wars Motorcycle Riders are looking to help veterans who have fallen on hard times.
Through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, some funds are available to assist local veterans with rental and deposit assistance, minor car repairs and utilities.
In order to supplement this program, the VFW Riders are taking on the task of providing funding and items that are not provided otherwise.
“The overall goal is to prevent homelessness or rapidly re-house and stabilize those who are homeless,” said Myron Brundage, senior vice commander of Oak Harbor Post 7392.
The group presented a check for $500 to the Opportunity Council and several bags and boxes full of personal hygiene items, socks, T-shirts and Ziploc bags.
With several fundraisers completed and with the assistance of fellow post members and the general public, the Riders will continue to support local veterans in need and hope to make this the first of many donations. Organizers say there will be more fundraisers in the future.
The program’s objective is to help veterans and their families in crisis situations and continue to work with them by giving them the tools, resources and education through case management. In this way, the Riders hope to help them to stabilize and become self-sufficient.
“While there are funding sources to assist our veterans with some of the major costs such as rent, too often smaller needs that cannot be fulfilled with this funding can become very big challenges for these veterans in crisis,” Brundage said.
“Some of our veterans must drive to other counties for prospective job interviews and VA clinic appointments. In a crisis situation when food and shelter are the main focus, figuring out how to get a tank of gas for a job interview, specialized work clothing and shoes to start their job, fees to renew a drivers license or career license, and basic hygiene items becomes a barrier to stabilization.”
The Riders see this project as a perfect way to fulfill their National Motto, “To Honor the Dead by Helping the Living.” Those interested in donating can contact the VFW riders at Post 7392 on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor or call 360-675-4048. Additionally, you may call Brundage at 360-672-5166 for additional information.
