2008 Recap

We have reached the end of the first official year of existence as an organization.

It has been a good year on both the funding and services rendered side of the picture.

 

We want to thank our donors for their contributions to the cause.  No one would have thought providing housing assistance to Vietnam era veterans would have such an impact at the first of 2008.  Now with the housing crisis, the credit crunch and the number of unemployed, the needs have sharpened dramatically.

 

News from the financial markets has been grim at best.  To top off the markets dropping, the banks not lending money, is the news that Bernard Madoff has managed to put several non for profit organizations out of business, causing even more distress to those who were served by the foundations that invested with Madoff Securities.

 

We are an organization that depends on the funds coming in to reach out to those in need, so it is even greater satisfaction when we find individuals in need and contribute to their bottom line.

 

So, here is the summary of activity for the year 2008.  We received $20,000 in contributions, paid processing fees to government agencies of $300 and paid out the remaining balances to Vietnam era veterans in need.

 

To-date, we paid for the housing for four vets in the Chicagoland area.  Two vets came to us through the Vet Care Clinic in Oak Park, IL.  They were receiving assistance for food and utilities while waiting for Veterans Administration in Minneapolis to approve their disability appeals.

 

The other two vets came from Salvation Army social work in Chicago, who were in need of Section 8 assistance.  One was losing their apartment due to bank foreclosure on his landlord.  Our assistance helped carry him through the remainder of 2008 in a new Section 8 apartment.  The final vet was under therapy with social services and applying for the first time for disability with the Veterans Administration.  This process usually takes up to a year, and our assistance has kept him in housing up until March of 2008.

 

We hope to continue this line of assistance and with the contributions from next year, we will be pleased to see any or all of the current applicants living under their own power.  We have asked the agencies involved to keep us posted on everyone’s progress and to post our website with the local groups as a source for assistance. 

 

We are in the process of establishing a separate Tab on the website for various agencies that are directly or indirectly involved in veteran aid.  This will help those inquiring for assistance on jobs, health needs, and other social services to find contacts.

 

Here’s to a good 2008 and hopefully a greater 2009.  Thanks to all who have contributed and best wishes for brighter year to those who have received assistance.