Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Sarasota, FL office written by our RM, Bob Graham.
I recently received a call from a veteran’s wife, saying her husband was in terrible shape. He has to have constant care as he’s awaiting a liver transplant, perhaps requiring a kidney transplant as well. 
Right now he’s in particularly bad shape as he’s fighting pneumonia. With all the medical and allied expenses they’ve fallen behind on utility and other bills, and are desperate for assistance. 
As the needs are large I put together a group of several agencies to share the “rescue” and they were really grateful. We are so happy we could help.
Spotlight of the Week
Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Grayson, KY office written by our RM, Andy McKee.
A few weeks ago, I was en route to speak at an area Lawrenceburg food pantry regarding the services we offer here at Veterans’ Outreach. Since I was out of the main office, I had the office phone forwarded to my cell phone. 
I received a call from the Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville, KY from a social worker looking for assistance for a Veteran on their floor. This Veteran had successfully completed his inpatient psychiatric program and needed a way to get back home to Arkansas to be reunited with his children and family he hasn’t seen in over a year; he needed to be with a loving, stable support system to ensure his continued mental health progress. 
I took their information to see what we could do, and within ten minutes received another call from a Veteran in need in the Louisville area. I worked a game plan together with our corporate office in order to assist both Veterans in need. After my scheduled meeting at Open Hands Food Pantry in Lawrenceburg, I drove to the Robley Rex VAMC in Louisville to meet with both the social worker and the other Veteran who called seeking assistance whom I had instructed to meet me in the same lobby to take both requests at the same time. 
Fortunately, we were able to purchase a bus ticket for the Veteran needing to get back to Arkansas AND able to provide assistance to the other Veteran seeking assistance with her electric bill. We are so happy we could help these veterans in need!
Spotlight of the Week
William Gordon Ely was born in Gallipolis, Ohio where he worked on the family farm when he was just 8 years old…even driving a tractor! One day he was on a bicycle riding on his country road when a couple of men waived him down in their Model T! The men introduced themselves as Mr. Ford and Mr. Firestone! They were lost and asked for directions to Columbus! William (Bill) didn’t know who the men were until later. He was born with a photographic memory as well and thought that they were dressed pretty nice!
Dad’s brush with history didn’t stop there…He later fared the DEPRESSION with his family, though he lost his big brother John to a drowning accident, he joined the service at 17…lying about his age!
 
He was finally stationed at Pearl Harbor after touring the South Pacific and wrote to his mom that he found Paradise, He was even bragging about catching a 40-pound octopus and having a barbecue with the guys out on the beach! 
 
Just before 8 AM on December 7, 1941, my DAD, Bill, was on the porch of the barracks because of an upset stomach from cucumber salad the night before, which saved his life! The airfields were the first attacked and over 200 men were lost there. Bill was a Paramedic so he was racing off in his ambulance truck just trying to get away from the Zeros which were strafing him to the left and right of him. The attack lasted a total of 90 minutes and left 2,400 dead and 1,100 wounded.
 
My dad tended to as many wounded as he could while he was wounded as well. One critically wounded man my dad administered blood and glucose constantly, who was badly burned. He would change his bandages and he even would sleep with the man to keep him warm so as he wouldn’t go into shock. That man’s mom wrote a letter to my dad thanking him for saving her son’s life after he came home to further his recovery. The Letter was shown to the Red Cross and they started a Blood Drive using the importance of that story.
 
My DAD went on to be a founder of the “Pearl Harbor Survivors” Columbus Chapter, and co-founder of 8 other chapters. He left in his will a major donation to the MOTT’S Military Museum to help with the expansion of the new wing where his Pearl Harbor Coat/Memorabilia is on display and was constantly petitioning the state to rename Highway 75 to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway!
 
My DAD, William Gordon Ely, lived his life serving and honoring his country…his fellow man! “Lest We Forget”! Dad… you are part of HISTORY!
Spotlight of the Week
Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Sarasota, FL office written by our regional manager, Bob Graham.
A veteran came in to see us last week. He and his wife are new parents of a precious baby boy. Due to his time in the service, he has PTSD. The VA has supported his housing, but cannot cover his 2-month power bill. This overdue power bill could very well get him evicted from his home because VA rules include eviction if utilities are cut off for non-payment. Thankfully he came to us. We were able to step in, pay the bill, and gave this new family the assurance of a roof over their heads. We are happy to help. 
Spotlight of the Week
A post 9/11 veteran suffering from PTSD and seizures came to our office with his therapy dog, Sheba. Sheba is a beautiful Rottweiler, perfectly behaved and watches over her veteran like a mother watches over her newborn child.
The veteran came to us because of a problem with his water, it was shut off. His water bill had been consistent for a long time and was paid regularly. Then in February, the consumption spiked and ran the bill much higher than the veterans budget allowed. He wasn’t able to strike a deal with the water company since he doesn’t own the property. Our Services Director, Bob Julian, was able to contact the water company and speak to the right person. He made a pledge to pay a much lesser amount and they agreed to turn the water on immediately.
Spotlight of the Week
Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Hartselle, AL office.
On Tuesday we had an amputee veteran contact us that needed assistance to build a wheelchair ramp at his house. This man was very upbeat about his situation and said that the Birmingham VA was responsible for saving his life and was deeply grateful for their services. The VA saw a problem that could have been fatal to him and was missed by some of the local hospitals. 
While talking to him he stated that he had written Walmart in Bentonville, Arkansas about their motorized chairs that they have for their customers, his idea to them was to have a certain amount of chairs cordoned off strictly for the use of veterans in need. 
He did say that he had some positive feedback from them, so I told him that I would use our platform to see if we could help, so if people out there read this please bring this idea up to the local store managers and if you are inclined to send a nice note to corporate. 
Spotlight of the Week
Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Hartselle, AL office.
Sadly, last week one of our workers had his money jar and his table stolen at one of our stores we fundraise at. Frantic and bewildered, our rep didn’t know what to do fearing that the thief may be armed. Thankfully, the manager of the store saw the incident happen. He immediately gave chase and did retrieve our property. We are so thankful for his bravery. 
I guess my point is that when something negative happens to us, more often than not there is something positive to counteract the negativity. A lot of times it is difficult to find the positives, but in this case, the store manager showed that he cared by instantly trying and succeeding to get our items back. Thank you sir.
Spotlight of the Week
Today, we want to highlight a “Case of the Week” from our office in Liberty Township, Ohio. 
Veteran’s Good Deeds Pay Back 
A veteran was working at a nearby auto repair garage. He is an excellent mechanic with a generous and kind heart. He would often go the extra mile for a fellow veteran that had car problems. However, he did have some problems explaining his “generosity” to his boss, the owner of the garage. This led to tension in the workplace.
Another auto repair shop up the road is a veteran-owned business. This shop has helped veterans numerous times with discounted or even free help with auto repairs. Our Services Director, Bob Julian, learned of the tension at the nearby shop. He suggested that the mechanic go visit the other shop’s owner. The other shop greeted him warmly, and with our backing, the mechanic was hired on the spot. We are so grateful we could step in and help find this veteran a place to continue his generosity with like-minded people.
Spotlight of the Week
Today’s Case of the Week comes from Sarasota, FL, written by our regional manager, Bob Graham.
A single mom who is also a veteran called me late last week. She has 4 children and is trying to move into a new home. Unfortunately she found out that her move in date has been delayed by the landlord. Some local agencies supported a few nights at local motel, but at this point there is no funding left. The local agencies advised her to call me. I immediately responded and spoke with the motel manager. We guaranteed that night and sent a check to cover to cost. We also were able to give her leads on additional funding. We are so happy we could help this veteran and her family in a time of crisis. They were more than grateful.
Spotlight of the Week
Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Sarasota, FL office written by Bob Graham. 
We were approached by a VA case manager for a local veteran who has recurring bouts of “deep depression” – the most recent so debilitating that he was unable to summon up the energy to stay current on his utility bills. 
Knowing of our partnership agreement with the local power provider, the manager contacted us on his behalf – we arranged to pay the outstanding balance and the case manager said the vet actually smiled!
Spotlight of the Week