6 vets who were helped when they needed it the most
SUMMARY
Together Rising is a non-profit organization that raises quick funds through "love flash mobs" — time-limited fundraisers where thousands of strangers give a maximum of $25 to meet a particular need in a matter of hours.
From the California and Australia fires to emergency relief in Puerto Rico to COVID-19, Together Rising donates 100% of every personal donation directly to an individual or a cause in need.
For Veterans Day 2019, Together Rising teamed up with the Kline Veterans Fund and gave back to more than fifty veterans, helping them find housing, buy food, pay bills, make vital repairs to their homes, and get counseling and other services. From elderly and disabled veterans to single mothers, the community came through.
Here are a few of their stories:
When "A" (names are changed for privacy reasons) was evicted from her rental home with little notice, Together Rising and the Kline Veterans Fund stepped in to help her find a new place to live "so that she could move forward with safety and stability."
A's displacement came shortly on the heels of saying goodbye to her service dog, a devastating loss for any pet owner, but one that could be even more troubling for a disabled veteran who relies on her service dog for assistance and companionship.
Small donations were able to help Together Rising transform "heartbreak into action," one of their mottos.
"L" lost her husband earlier in 2019 and struggled to care for her 12 year-old son. After receiving a shutoff notice for her power bill, Together Rising contributors stepped in to pay her bill and support her as she sought more affordable housing.
The Kline Fund reported that, after an initial investment, less than three percent of the veterans need additional help. Sometimes we all just need a little support from our community to get back on our feet.
"S" is a decorated Navy veteran who suffered severe PTSD and depression -- not from war, but from surviving a mass shooting in Las Vegas. Her daughter was shot twice and though she survived, S was traumatized; she missed work and lost her job and then was given a five-day eviction notice.
Because her suffering wasn't service connected, she was ineligible for Veterans Affairs benefits. Within 48 hours, Together Rising and their supporters were able to "hire movers, secure a truck, rent a storage unit for S's belongings, and settle her into a safe and secure temporary apartment. One week later, [Together Rising] secured a zero-deposit arrangement and paid for two months of rent to allow S time to get back on her feet.
"Incredibly — because of her heroic determination — S secured employment within one month, and is now able to pay her rent and utilities without assistance. She is also working with a mental health counselor."
From helping a soldier find a place to live after being homeless to securing transportation for a Lt. Col. starting a new job to paying vehicle registration and finding transitional VA housing for a Marine, these are just a few of the lives touched by a community of support.
Thank you to Together Rising and the Kline Veterans Fund for your commitment to our nation's veterans.
If you're a veteran and you find that you could use a little extra support, please reach out to your community or to non-profit organizations like these. We are all in this together.
