Published Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 12:13 p.m.
Last updated Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 12:13 p.m.
MIAMI — Jorge Roque endured life in the Kuwaiti desert as his Marine Corps unit waited for the signal that the war in Iraq had begun. He survived as friends died fighting their way into Baghdad. He witnessed the famous toppling of the city's statue of Saddam Hussein.
But he wasn't prepared for the hardships he faced when he tried to create a life for himself after he was discharged from the military. He was unemployed and living in his car when he went to the local Veterans Affairs center seeking help.
The VA center directed him to Veteran Love and Appreciation Fund Inc., a private nonprofit based in Miami Beach. It helps needy disabled ex-soldiers who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other wars by giving them money until their government checks begin, including rent payments and gift cards for food and gas.
Roque is one of about 130 people Veteran Love has helped since it was created in 2003. He is now studying his longtime dream of filmmaking.
"They come home and they don't know what to do next," said Charlene Riggs, who runs the fund with her mother-in-law Toni Garner. "They need a person to basically walk them through getting the forms filled out. ... The veterans are so lost in trying to become reacclimated into a normal life."
The local VA center has been working with Veteran Love for about two years.
In 2006, Veteran Love had a fundraiser, netting about $116,000, which it has been doling out. It has about $40,000 left and is trying to raise more. The fund was created with the guidance and financial assistance of Garner's son, who pays for the overhead - including a secretary and a recently hired grant writer - while Garner and Riggs volunteer.
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http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080703/APN/807030626
This is from their site:
American Support - Veteran Help for Disabled Veteran Soldiers in need of assistance
Our Mission Statement Veteran Love and Appreciation Inc., a nonprofit 501(c) (3), exists to provide direct, essential needs to our severely wounded and disabled men and women who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Our assistance is intended to bridge the gap for these brave men and women as they transition from military service into civilian life. We are helping to put shattered lives and families back together. These heroes of the “War on Terror” deserve America's support for their service and sacrifices made daily.
Veteran Love & Appreciation donates $5,000 to wounded warrior and family at a benefit held in Ocala, Fl April 12, 2008.
FOCUS: Job Fair Veteran Love and Appreciation will once again participate in the 3rd Annual Job Fair for Military Veterans. Click here for flyer and more info.
FOCUS: Food and Fuel Veteran Love understands that there can be a substantial delay in the discharge from active duty and the payment of VA benefits. This is where Veteran Love steps in to help by providing for veterans’ essential, day to day needs. We have initiated Operation: Food and Fuel to provide for veterans and their families vital needs such as food and gas.
To qualify for assistance, the disabled veterans:
Must have served in Iraq or Afghanistan (DD Form 214, required)
Must be a combat wounded disabled veteran (VA confirmation required, normally through VA case worker, Purple Heart and/or medical documentation of war wounds sustained)
Are not presently receiving benefits from either Defense Finance and Accounting Service or the Veterans Administration
Must allow Veteran Love to verify the information provided by the disabled veteran
Must provide substantiating information regarding the disabled veterans’ financial situation
Please email to:assistance@veteranlove.com or mail to:
Veteran Love and Appreciation
930 Washington Avenue Suite 203
Miami Beach, FL 33139
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http://www.veteranlove.com/
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