Neighbor News
Goodwill Manasota supporters announce matching funds for veterans assistance program
SERV initiative provides veterans with immediate assistance for housing, education and food
Area businessmen and philanthropists Steve Hall and Bill Robertson have offered matching funds to stimulate donations to Goodwill Manasota’s SERV initiative, which provides Special Emergency Resources for Veterans (SERV). This effort was launched in March by Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services Program, in response to a growing need for emergency financial assistance for veterans and their families for housing, education and food.
Robertson, the CEO of Kirk-Pinkerton, PA, hosts a weekly radio show, “Let’s Talk Law” from 4-5pm on Fridays on WSRQ; the last Friday of each month he dedicates that show to a “Helping Our Heroes” special segment, with a focus on veterans’ issues and affairs. Together, Robertson and Hall – whose participation and financial contributions helped Goodwill to launch SERV – and a private donor are offering up to $2,500 in matching funds for donations made during each of the “Helping Our Heroes” shows.
The next “Helping Our Heroes” segment airs on Friday, July 31.
“We have been so proud to partner with Goodwill on the SERV initiative,” said Hall, who serves as the market president of Alltrust Insurance. “A number of local veterans and their families are facing truly devastating situations. We have been grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support already received and hope that these matching funds will help spur the community to even greater philanthropic heights.”
When a veteran is in need, the Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services team assigns each individual a case manager who works with the veteran and his or her family to create an individual plan, assessing need and identifying community resources to meet those needs. If the veteran and his or her family have emergency needs, the Goodwill team attempts to identify community resources through community partners and collaborative organizations that can assist. If no other avenues to help are available, SERV can be utilized to assist the veteran and the family with the problem. The case managers also help in other areas that enhance integration into the community or the civilian workforce, while addressing these emergency needs.
The criteria for a veteran to receive assistance through SERV are defined on a case-by-case basis and include issues relating to housing, education, medicine and hunger.
“Through our collaboration with Goodwill Manasota, we have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for veterans in need,” said Robertson. “We are proud to be involved in this worthy initiative and hope that we can continue to grow our fundraising efforts in order to meet the ever-increasing need.”
“We are committed to helping our returning heroes reintegrate into their families, communities and jobs. Veterans often face numerous challenges when they return to civilian life and, through our Veterans Services Program, we are able to help many of them,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “For veterans with urgent needs, the SERV initiative has already provided needed support at the most critical time. We are grateful to Steve and Bill for being consistent, passionate and generous advocates for this area’s veterans.”
To support Goodwill’s SERV initiative and take advantage of the matching funds, please go to www.experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721, ext. 104. To learn about additional ways you can help, please contact C.J. Bannister, director of the Veterans Services Program, at 941.355.2721, ext. 451.
PHOTO ID: Bill Robertson and Steve Hall, who are offering matching funds for donations made to the SERV initiative
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2014, Goodwill Manasota served more than 16,000 people, placed 680 people in jobs and assisted 520 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 39 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.
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