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Mission United works to assist veterans

Citrus County Chronicle - 7/23/2017

Recently, a 96-year-old World War II veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, had fallen on hard times.

After the war, he had gone to the VA and was given a 10 percent disability rating.

"He got so fed up, he hadn't been back since," Josh White, Citrus United Way's Mission United coordinator, told the Chronicle editorial board. "He'd never registered with the VA, and now he and his wife were struggling financially. So, through our program we were able to get him registered and get his Aid & Attendance (benefits) started. He also got a telephone that will read to him, because he's blind."

White said the man never knew about the benefits that come with a Purple Heart, such as property tax exemption, tax credits from the Department of Motor Vehicles and more.

White, himself a Purple Heart recipient, does know, and it's his job to tell other veterans and help them any way he's able through Mission United.

In the short few months since the program started, he's helped homeless veterans get into homes and helped other vets in a variety of ways.

"For example, a man who served in two branches of the military, his house got flooded and there was a death in the family and he got behind on his bills," said Amy Meek, United Way executive director. "So Josh was able to pay their car payment for two months to get them back on their feet - car payments aren't generally something nonprofits will pick up."

Along with financial help, however, comes case management. It's not enough to pay someone's bills. It's about changing lives.

"We want veterans to have a plan," White said. "We try to work with people, but we're not going to throw money at them and three months later they're back for more."

The biggest hurdle, Meek said, is convincing veterans that they deserve help.

"Like with the 96-year-old World War II vet," she said. "These benefits can be for their kids, for their families. It's important for people to realize that they have the ability to help their families get out of a tough situation."

To learn more about Mission United or to donate to the program, call the United Way at 352-795-5483.

* WHAT: Buy a hot dog, help Citrus United Way help a veteran.

* WHEN: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, July 28.

* WHERE: Curry's Roofing, 1965 N. Dunkenfield Ave., Crystal River.

* WHY: Meet Josh White, Citrus United Way Mission United coordinator, and learn about the help available to veterans. This is also a fundraiser for the program.

* INFO: Call Citrus United Way at 352-795-5483.

Contact Chronicle reporter Nancy Kennedy at 352-564-2927 or nkennedy@chronicleonline.com.