Fort Schuyler Magazine Fall 2021

FEATURE

HELPING HOMELESS VETERANS Get Back on Their Feet by Matthew Bonvento ’01

A ccording to the U.S. startling statistic is pre-pandemic as of 2019 with no new count having been published at the time of this writing. Many ask what can be done Department of Veteran Affairs, approximately 37,000 veterans are homeless nationwide. This

homeless veterans have been helped to date. Covering the entire state of New Jersey, John and his crew collect necessary housing items such as furniture, kitchen appliances, hygiene kits, clothing, and food. Over the last 5 years this generous program has helped more than one thousand families, donated more than $150,000 in new clothes and $10,000 in food. What made this program so successful? The Maritime Alumni Network. Working the phones, sending emails, the New Jersey Elks were able to leverage the extensive alumni network for donations, volunteers, and ultimately, to two containers that are now housing their various donations. John tapped into this network of amazing people to not only find his current containers, but a promise of more from alumni, many who never knew him. Gregory Tuthill ’86 and John Colabello ’77 answered the call in true Maritime fashion by ensuring that the program did not pay a dollar for the containers. The history of the New Jersey Elks helping veterans goes back to World

to counter such a staggering number. Not John Vebrek ’68. Seeing a need and partnering with the New Jersey State Elks Association, over 1,200

22 Fall 2021 Fort Schuyler