Community Supports Homeless Vets in FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 22, 2009 -- On Christmas Eve, as families are gathering and talking, cooking, last minute shopping and wrapping, National Veterans Homeless Support Inc. will be on the move in Brevard County transporting 25 homeless veterans to a motel for a warm meal, soft bed, and a safe room.

This is the first year of NVHS' annual Warm Full Safe Christmas Drive in which homeless veterans in need are identified, provided transportation to and from a warm, safe motel room for Christmas Eve and Christmas Morn, given 3 warm meals and packable snacks, clean undergarments, a new pair of jeans, a backpack with a health kit, a Christmas card written with care and support and a phone card to call loved ones and the VA for benefits.

Drawing support from local veteran support groups, churches, community members and local leaders, NVHS is expecting a great turnout during the commencement at 4PM on Dec 24th in the parking lot of Motel 8 in Titusville off of I-95.

"We are appreciative of how many people are coming out to help us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day." says George Taylor, founder of NVHS, "We know that it makes such a difference this time of year to the vets. It's a hard time to be alone."

With the support and hands on volunteering from The American Legions, The USA River Rats, The First Christian Church of Titusville and many individuals who will give up their old family traditions this year to be part of this new annual tradition of giving back to those who gave their all to the USA, NVHS' first annual Warm Full Safe Christmas Drive seems to have touched hearts in the community and brought people together in the spirit of giving.

At any given time there are 800-1,200 homeless veterans in Brevard County alone. With less than 114 beds or temporary housing available, per the VA estimates, the 25 recipients of this year's Warm Full Safe program truly are lucky vets.

Picked up between 12 and 3:30Pm from individual camps or sites by NVHS, vets will be delivered to individual rooms at the motel by 4PM and given their Christmas pack of goods. Christmas Eve dinner will be served at 6PM, prepared and served at the motel by The USA River Rats, Inc. Volunteers ensure that as each turns in for the night they will be wished a Merry Christmas and a good nights sleep... Christmas Morn breakfast will be available in the lobby, and at 10:30AM The First Christian Church of Titusville will deliver a hot Christmas lunch door to door. At checkout, NVHS will transport each back to their camps or sites, offering bus tickets to those who want to take the next step or are interested in going to the VA Clinic.

Programs such as this are designed to help to restore faith and hope into the minds of the vets who often suffer from PTSD and are scared or fearful of stigma. George Taylor, who is also a 19 year veteran advocate will tell you, "Just letting them know that we care goes a long way. We do more than feed them, we talk with them and support them."

The story behind this veteran support organization is available on the web. Visit www.NVHS.us to learn more or to become involved.

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