Posted on 07/22/2013 4:56:15 AM PDT by Katydidnt
When Tiffany got the text message, the former Air Force Reservist thought it was a scam.
“Call this number. They’re giving out free homes to veterans.” It might as well have been a heartfelt missive from a down-on-his-luck Nigerian prince or an urgent notification that she’d won 2 million pounds in the British lottery.
The Philadelphia woman who once served at the Horsham airbase immediately called the friend who’d sent the text to let her know her phone had been hacked.
But it wasn’t a scam. It wasn’t spam. It was Operation Homefront. Courtesy of the national nonprofit, the single mother of two will soon move her family into a three-bedroom house in Coatesville — mortgage-free.“My kids and I, we’ve been really praying about being able to buy a house,” Tiffany said. Her 13-year-old daughter’s response to the news: “Our prayers have been answered.”
Tiffany was in the Air Force Reserves for 10 years, deployed three times in support of overseas operations. She said serving her country was the best decision she ever made.
Tiffany, who asked that her last name not be used, is one of five Pennsylvanians so far receiving donated homes — recovered from bank foreclosures — through Operation Homefront, said Pete Stinson, executive director of the nonprofit’s Pennsylvania/Delaware chapter.
The chapter has also given out four homes in Delaware. Nationwide, Operation Homefront has paired 200 vets and their families with free homes. It’s just one of many programs Operation Homefront runs to benefit post-9/11 veterans, said Stinson from the regional chapter’s new headquarters in Souderton.
The 2003 Central Bucks East graduate said the needs of Pennsylvania and Delaware vets have tripled in the last three years. “Even as deployments are winding down, the need for services is continuing to grow,” Stinson said.
Last year, the local branch of Operation Homefront gave out nearly $50,000 in emergency assistance to veterans in crisis, distributing funds to help with housing, car repairs, utility bills and food.
This year, Stinson expects that number to reach about $80,000. The organization also partners with Dollar Tree stores to collect school supplies and toys for the children of veterans. Last year, in Pennsylvania and Delaware alone, the nonprofit distributed more than $650,000 worth of goods to children.
The back-to-school donation drive is going on at Dollar Trees until Aug. 6; shoppers can pick out any sort of school supply from the store to donate. On Aug. 3, veterans’ children can go to the Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Horsham and receive a backpack to stuff full of supplies. Military families must register online (at www.operationhomefront.net/pade) before children can participate in the event.
Similar events will be held throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware in the weeks leading up to the first day of school. The nonprofit uses 94 cents of every dollar to directly support military veterans in need — a level of dedication the veterans have grown to appreciate.
“I’m going to give back to Operation Homefront in any way possible,” Tiffany said. “It’s just a wonderful organization. I’ll be forever grateful to them.”
If we could move one hundred thousand veterans into those abandoned houses in Detroit, we just might be able to save that benighted city.
Good to hear some good news for a change. I get that magazine; really a periodical. Anyone thats a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers gets it. It has great historical spy articles if you’re into that type of thing.
> If we could move one hundred thousand veterans into those abandoned houses in Detroit, we just might be able to save that benighted city.
I’ll guarantee you that if they did, Detroit wouldnt look the same in a few years and then the Amsh would want to move back in to destroy it all over again.
Oops wrong Intelligencer. Here’s the one I was referencing:
http://www.afio.com/22_intelligencer.htm
http://www.operationhomefront.net/pade/
There are eligibility requirements, of course. Many non-profits are doing something similar, but this one has Tim McGraw!
http://www.operationhomefront.net/timmcgraw.aspx
...but this one has Tim McGraw!
***
Aack! Just when I was thinking this was a great organization. An Obamabot for a celeb spokesman? No, thanks.
His latest book tells it all about what our troops face day afrer day with attacks from those they are forced to work with!
http://www.bobmccarty.com/2013/07/22/news-release-about-book-set-to-launch-early-tuesday-morning/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.