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Tag: homeless veterans

  • Giant Recreation World Breaks Record With $45,897 Donation to National Veterans Homeless Support

    Giant Recreation World Breaks Record With $45,897 Donation to National Veterans Homeless Support

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    Giant Recreation World, a leading provider of RVs and camping essentials, is set to make history with the largest single donation ever presented to the National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS). The remarkable sum of $45,897 has been raised by the passionate members of the VIP Camping Club throughout the year, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to supporting veterans in need.

    The VIP Camping Club, comprised of avid camping enthusiasts, has been conducting fundraising efforts at their bi-monthly VIP Campouts and annual customer rallies. This year’s customer rally, held at the Camp Margaritaville RV Resort, saw an unprecedented turnout of over 600 attendees. The collective generosity of the club members has enabled Giant Recreation World to contribute an unparalleled amount to NVHS.

    “We are immensely proud of our VIP Camping Club members for their unwavering commitment to supporting our veterans,” said Mica Gratton, VIP Club Director at Giant Recreation World. “This donation to the National Veterans Homeless Support is a testament to the compassion and generosity of our community. It is an honor to be able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who have served our country.”

    Caroline Milne and Tori Starr from the Camp Margaritaville Sales & Marketing Team will join Giant Recreation World in presenting the check to NVHS. Their contribution of $2,370, raised through community efforts, further emphasizes the collective dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of veterans.

    About National Veterans Homeless Support: National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 by George Taylor Sr. and friends who were passionate about helping homeless veterans in their community. The organization is now run by George Taylor Jr. and his wife Jennifer Taylor, who have since evolved its mission to eliminate homelessness among veterans in Central Florida by providing street outreach, housing assistance, and transitional housing facilities. NVHS has achieved a remarkable 90% reduction in the homeless veteran population in Brevard County from 1,800 in 2008 to less than 200 in 2023. 

    “We are grateful for the continued support of organizations like Giant Recreation World and the VIP Camping Club. Their dedication to our cause has a profound impact on the lives of veterans,” said George Taylor Jr., President of National Veterans Homeless Support.

    The presentation ceremony will take place at Giant Recreation World RV Dealership in Winter Garden, FL on 1/30/2024 at 11 am, providing an opportunity for media coverage and community members to witness the positive impact of these generous contributions.

    Source: Giant Recreation World

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  • Homelessness Challenging Post-9/11 Veterans

    Homelessness Challenging Post-9/11 Veterans

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    One in five qualifying for VA-funded Supportive Services for Veteran Families help in South Florida enlisted after 9/11, six-year study reports

    Press Release



    updated: Oct 18, 2019

    ​​​​​​​​​​​​Homelessness is challenging many post-9/11 veterans even more than their peers from prior service eras, according to a study by the nationally-accredited Purpose Built Families Foundation.

    The study looked at data from 2,995 homeless servicemen and women served by the Broward-based nonprofit since 2013. More than one in five enlisted after September 11, 2001, author Danielle Korngold reported.

    “While there is much more to understand about the post-9/11 veteran experience, the numbers are significant,” Korngold said.

    Statistically, Korngold expected post-9/11 veterans to be less than 13% of those qualifying for the VA-funded Supportive Services for Veteran Families program in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The study found post-9/11 veterans represented 22% of those receiving services between 2013 and 2019.

    This week, a group of post-9/11 veterans impacted by homelessness got together at Operation Sacred Trust in Pembroke Pines to talk about how the attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon changed their lives.

    When the second plane hit on the morning of September 11, 2001, 19-year-old Michael Desir was in the lobby of a Miami hotel preparing for Marine Corps boot camp.

    In Ohio, 11-year-old Jeremy King was dealing with changes in life that would come with his parents’ breakup.

    16-year-old Juan Flores had just arrived to French class at South Broward High School where his teacher had wheeled out a television set and turned on the news.

    “I just remember not really understanding the depth of what had happened,” Jeremy said.

    “Every conversation around me, people were saying, ‘This is real. This is real.’ And then I see the news caption, ‘America Under Attack,’” Michael remembered.

    “Five seconds after we started watching, we saw the second plane hit,” Juan said.

    All three went on to serve in uniform. Michael and Juan in the Marine Corps; Jeremy in the Navy.

    Michael, Jeremy, and Juan were later impacted by Veteran homelessness in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Juan, now Dr. Juan Flores, as an intake supervisor with the Operation Sacred Trust Supportive Services for Veteran Families program; Michael and Jeremy, as veterans who experienced homelessness firsthand.

    Clyde Angel said 14 years serving as a VA Chaplain showed that post-9/11 veterans frequently struggled “to reconnect with self and others through their transition from active duty to civilian life.” Dr. Angel said he was able to help many “express emotions and feelings that were difficult due to the symptoms of emotional numbing.”

    Losing close relationships, Dr. Angel said, is “often a core issue” that goes beyond homelessness. “The ability to strengthen significant relationships provides an important supportive component to deter suicide,” he said.

    Seth Eisenberg, CEO of Purpose Built Families and a co-founder of Operation Sacred Trust, agrees.

    “Preventing homelessness, suicide, and related challenges has to include helping veterans learn practical, usable skills to protect their closest relationships,” Eisenberg said.

    Source: Purpose Built Families Foundation

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