By Connie Lindsay, Liberty Manor for Veterans
This holiday season, we all gather with our friends and family to celebrate the spirit of goodwill, compassion, and appreciation for one another, we reflect on the past in anticipation of the future. Many remember good times and prosperity, however, those that are not so fortunate wonder how their lives fell apart and how they became a homeless statistic. As we enjoy our holiday celebration, we ask you to remember those Veterans that are isolated without a place to share with others, or place to call “home.” Veterans are usually “overlooked” during the holidays simply because we don’t “think” of Veterans who might be needy, homeless, and quite possibly forgotten during the holidays.
But a glimpse into the lives of these brave, often unsung heroes offer all of us perspective, as these former servicemen are warriors, heroes in their own right; they serve as a reminder of how good life is in America and how fortunate we are to be Americans. This initiative offers us a great opportunity to pay homage in a significant way to those who have unselfishly answered the call to duty by serving in our United States military. Liberty Manor for Veterans has been recognized locally and nationally for successfully transitioning over 1,000 veterans into self-sufficiency since our origination in 2006. The homeless rate for Veterans was 26% in 2006 when we originated, today, I am delighted to report that it is only 11%!
I am making a personal appeal on behalf of our veterans in hope that you might consider including Liberty Manor for Veterans on your gift list offering us the opportunity to ensure a happy holiday for our Veterans during the holiday and throughout the year. All contributions made to Liberty Manor for Veterans, Inc, are tax deductible as a 501c3 non-profit organization and you will be helping those who have already made many sacrifices for the freedom we enjoy in America today. You can send your contribution to P.O. Box 274081 Tampa, FL 33688-4081, or by Zelle using phone number (813)477-0203 or on our website http://www.libertymanor.org.
Let us remember that only two defining forces that have ever offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American soldier, one died for your soul; the other died for your freedom. We wish you and your family a safe, happy, peaceful, and prosperous holiday and New Year.
For God, Veterans and Country,
Connie G. Lindsay