Fort Schuyler Magazine Fall 2021

(l.-r.) Gregory Tuthill ‘86, Sr.VP and Chief Commercial Officer, SeaCube; John E. Veprek, Jr. ‘68, Former State President of the New Jersey State Elks Association; and John J. Colabello ‘77, VP Operations of SeaCube.

War II when they provided interest free loans to veterans purchasing homes. About seven years ago, combatting veteran homelessness suddenly turned into a high priority. The impetus came from the state government, which informed the NJ Elks of the approximately 3,000 homeless veterans. This number, while large, was found to be grossly underestimated. Helping those in need became a daunting task for the team. Bringing in the VA to assist in identifying homeless veterans and their families, assistance could be delivered quicker than before. The hurdle was the lack of storage space as the program grew. Donated items needed a place to be safely and securely stored until placed with a veteran in need. Storage units served for a time, but those units cut into the budget that could better be used to help veterans in need. This need was recently met by SeaCube, which donated two twenty-foot containers. This also allowed for the program to spread their donated items to different parts of the state, which allows for wider distribution and help for a larger geographic area.

As volunteers increased, people began to donate money, and they ran into issues where Veterans were not allowed to receive used furniture because of a precautionary bed bug scare. The solution was to purchase bedding and furniture new, another unanticipated cost. COVID-19 created a whole new set of issues with volunteers unable to enter certain buildings and risks of contracting the virus. Things slowed, but did not stop. The veterans living on the street at that time increased exponentially and the places they regularly visited such as VA shelters, shut down leaving them without food or shelter. The program bought $17,000 worth of dehydrated food, which it distributed along with water, shelters, and winter clothing. In the last 5 years since keeping track of veterans, the New Jersey Elks has helped 1368 veterans, many with families, and the program has granted aide to 1026, helping to keep them off the street by providing assistance with mortgage or rent, bills, food or clothes. There is always more that can be done. To lend a hand or to donate, contact John Vebrek ’68 at jvpsp@comcast.net

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