Westfield Local Honored For Work With NJ Veterans

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield local and Executive Director of Bonds of Courage, Danielle Bracco, was honored for her work with New Jersey’s veterans.

First Lady Mary Pat Christie named Bracco as the 6th New Jersey Hero of 2016 and 45th Hero overall.

Located in Westfield, Bonds of Courage is a non-profit organization established in 2004 to provide a network of support to military members, veterans and their families by helping in areas such as employment, health, family issues, and finances.

“As we honor our veterans every November, it is also important to spotlight individuals like Danielle who is a tireless advocate for our military, veterans as well as their families,” stated Christie. “Her dedication and distinguished service on their behalf continues to shine a light on the courage and commitment of our military personnel, past and present, while working to meet some of their most important needs from counseling services to employment opportunities. For all of these efforts, I am proud to recognize Danielle Bracco as our next New Jersey Hero.”

Bonds of Courage helps people in the armed forces navigate and find services such as day care and mental health professionals. There is also a career mentoring program offered. And lastly, the organization puts together care packages to help service members serving and homeless veterans as well.

"I'm very honored to be recognized,” said Bracco. "Bonds of Courage and its volunteers are a team dedicated to serving our service members, veterans and their families. I'm proud to accept this award on their behalf. For all of us, serving them is truly a reward in and of itself. I hope that many others can experience the satisfaction that we have from seeing the results of volunteering in support of these members of our community."

Since its inception, Bonds of Courage has developed relationships with 105 local troops within New Jersey, with approximately 500 family members. They have also engaged 2,000 active donors and volunteers and involved several thousand children and community members in troop support activities and education.

Because of the growing needs of the veteran’s community, Bonds of Courage recently expanded its program to provide items to organizations that serve homeless veterans and residents of the community’s local veterans’ memorial home.

Aside from her work with Bonds of Courage, Bracco serves as Program Director for the ProVetus mentor program and is also a volunteer with 102nd Cavalry Squadron’s Family Readiness Group, supporting families’ well-being and preparedness of the unit.

Prior to this work, she was President and Vice President of the Parent Teacher Organization in Westfield as well as member and board member of the Westfield Junior Woman’s Club.

She also served with Rainbows, New Jersey, an organization that focuses on helping youth who have lost a loved one or experienced another traumatic event move through the grief process and learn to cope with life’s challenges.

For more information about Bonds of Courage, visit http://www.bondsofcourage.org/

(Photo provided: First Lady Mary Pat Christie has named Danielle Bracco, Executive Director of Bonds of Courage, as her 45th New Jersey Hero.)

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