Community Relations

The Florida Veterans Foundation, although little-known, is helping many. Frustrated by the statutory limitations of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Legislature authorized the Foundation in 2008 to be a Direct Support Organization. While the Florida VA can’t provide direct financial support to veterans and families, the Foundation can and does.

Director John Haynes recently told the Florida Veterans Council the Foundation assists veterans referred by the Fla. VA and those vetted and referred by Veteran’s Service Organizations, such as the CFPVA. This allows smaller, cash-strapped posts and chapters to help veterans in crises.
Haynes and Chairman Robert Milligan illustrated this by relating a story about an 89-year-old World War II vet who suffered a debilitating stroke. Like most Florida homes, his wasn’t wheelchair accessible.

Before he could leave the hospital to return to his wife, their home needed ramps and other accessibility features. Waiting for the VA to send adaptive housing grants was unthinkable to them; they feared he would be forced into a nursing home. Milligan and Haynes said the Foundation organized and financed an accessibility retrofit in less than a week.

Much of the Foundation’s attention is on homeless veterans, and those with non-service-connected disabilities. If you have a need, call the chapter. The Foundation is there you. You can visit their web site at www.floridaveteransfoundation.org.

Patrick McCallister

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