For anyone who reads my blog posts, you know I like to add in a little humor and spunk from time to time. This post is a bit different and for good reason. As a society, do most of us know and understand the issues our military heroes face, especially once they come home? I can admit I wasn’t as knowledgeable as I should have been on the topic. A big reason for that was it didn’t impact my daily life so it was easy to look past the problems and struggles I heard about in the media. And while there are many organizations out there striving to support our active duty military and veterans, what are we doing to help as individuals?
A big change for me was joining the Callender Home Team at RE/MAX Results. Now I’m not saying every realtor gets hyped up on supporting our military veterans just because they become realtors. I was fortunate enough to join a team at a brokerage that feels a passion for helping others – veterans and beyond. At the time of joining, I was introduced to our team’s partnership with the organization Homes for Heroes and that alone was exciting for me. I will happily offer a cash gift to heroes who work with us as a thank you for their service. But the team’s drive to support our veterans runs deeper than just partnering with Homes for Heroes. Mark and Michelle truly WANT to help and while we’re only 3 people, I think everyone needs to start considering how even one person can make a difference.
We work very hard in our careers as realtors and it’s safe to say we like to play hard too. When you can combine play with work and supporting those less fortunate, it sorta feels like you won a triathlon (minus the running because if you know me, you know I don’t run). On Friday, March 22nd, the Callender Home Team chose to attend the Homeless Veterans Benefit hosted at Osseo-Maple Grove American Legion Post 172. The benefit was being organized by two different organizations; Mpls VA Health Care System Community Resource and Referral Center (CRCC) and Every Third Saturday. The first thing that I noticed was the place was PACKED! I’m talking, park-down-the-street-and-hike-back style packed! The line to pay and get into the benefit was around the corner and I immediately got those tingly chills when I saw all the men and women supporting this cause.
I can tell you these people know how to throw a benefit! One side of the building was the bar and the other was for the steak, shrimp and potato meal being served. I couldn’t believe how much food they gave me for $12, cooked to order, and delivered to my table. American Legion’s Tom Olson, his wife, and Legion Manager, Michelle, worked tirelessly to host an impressive and delicious benefit!
In my normal “social bug” fashion, I wandered off to meet people and get a grasp on how important this was to our veterans. I’d love to write about the various individuals I had the opportunity to speak with but they say blog posts shouldn’t be THAT long. I did get to meet Lisa Sundberg from the CCRC and Tom McKenna from Every Third Saturday. Their efforts and work, not to mention that of the staff at the American Legion, far surpassed most high-end outfits I have seen. And they were doing it all because this issue of Homelessness and Mental Illness in our veteran community is so critical. According to a Star Tribune article from March 20, 2019, “Gov. Tim Walz is aiming to end all veteran homelessness by the end of 2019.” Based on the veteran registry set up in 2014, Minnesota still has 226 veterans living on the streets and even one veteran is too many. Between the team at the Osseo Legion and the CCRC and Every Third Saturday organizations, you felt the passion everyone had to helping all of our veterans in need. According to Tom, “the benefit was a huge success. Over 416 meals were served, $4,000+ dollars were raised and over 3 full tables of socks, underwear and clothing were collected.” And according to the team at Every Third Saturday, “the benefit was an enormous success for us at ETS. The generosity of the people who showed their support with donations of socks, underwear, and t-shirts was amazing. In addition, the financial support received was awesome as well.”
You may be thinking, “Liz this is all very important, but what can one person do about it?” Simple. Offer your time, your donations, your talents and skills. There are plenty of organizations in MN looking for help. I mentioned two here in this article. So here is your call to action:
“Every Third Saturday exists to address the tough issues of homelessness, suicide, moral injury, difficulty transitioning, and the loss of purpose plaguing our veterans. [They] strive to fill the gaps in existing services while building community. [They] offer a network of resources to assist the veteran and his/her family in pursuing a path of healing and forward momentum.”
Every third Saturday of the month they provide supplies to all veterans in need and could use your donations! Unopened underwear, socks and toiletries are in high demand. They also take new or gently used blankets, quilts, sleeping bags, clothing, shoes and boots. The accept these supply donations on Tuesday and Thursdays 9AM – 4PM at their location at 4303 E. 54th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55417. Visit their site at www.everythirdsaturday.com
“CCRC’s mission is to support veterans who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness or serious mental illness, by promoting physical and mental health, assisting in securing and maintaining housing, and working with veterans to achieve increased community integration.”
CCRC is accepting lightly used coats (no used clothing), backpacks, gloves, sweat pants, t-shirts, underwear, hoodies, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, lip balm, crackers, snacks, cookies, gift cards, and new flip-flops. They ask you contact Nurse Care Manager Lisa at 612-313-3253.
So you can do something! And this really is just the tip of the iceberg. All you have to do is Google Veterans Organizations to find a place that fits with your skills. Or take a moment on your social media and share info about Every Third Saturday and CCRC. These groups need to get the word out and we all spend enough time online to give a couple minutes! And now this is important; If you know of a veteran who is thinking about buying or selling their home, please give them the Callender Home Team information. We are realtors just like any others, however, we are able to give them a gift of cash and other discounts they can use in their new home.
And finally, when you see a veteran or active military person, say “thank you,” offer your seat, buy them a meal or cup of coffee…it’s the very least we all can do for what they have done for us.
