Helping Veterans
The Salvation Army in Kent County recently partnered with other non-profits to give back to those that served our country. The annual project brought almost 100 volunteers together from several agencies, including the Home Depot Foundation and Heart of West Michigan United Way to complete landscaping and outdoor home repair projects for local military veterans, current service members and their families.
The event on April 28th, began early in the morning at the 28th Street Home Depot with a volunteer rally. Grand Valley Area Commander Major Tim Meyer delivered the opening prayer. "Veterans have struggled lately with a number of things.” Meyer said. “They have high suicide rates, sometimes difficulty accessing care, things like that. As an organization that also helps veterans, we are so thankful to be a part of this project.”
After the rally, volunteers fanned out throughout Kent County throughout the day. The Salvation Army then fed the volunteer’s lunch.
In total, volunteers completed landscaping and outdoor home repairs for 18 different families throughout Kent County, including in Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Rockford and Wyoming.
“I am teary-eyed for real, you know, I keep wiping my tears away” Charell Forrest, an Army veteran, told FOX-17 TV.
“As a veteran myself, I know how much these families appreciated the help they received.” Meyer said.
The event was sponsored by Home Depot and several local businesses.