By Vanessa Overholser - Staff Writer
Veterans gave up their lives so that all Americans could have their freedom. The Veterans’ Outreach organization, Grayson, works to give aid to veterans as a way to honor them for their sacrifice.
Kentucky Regional Director of Veterans’ Outreach Ernie Parnell said the Veterans’ Outreach is a non-profit organization.
“Our focus is directed totally toward the needs of the veterans of the different Armed Services,” Parnell said. “We provide a hand up not a hand out approach to their individual needs.”
The Veterans’ Outreach organization evolved from a simple act of kindness from one man to a group of his friends.
“The current President of the Veterans’ Outreach’s father, who was a WWII veteran and had many friends who needed help over the years,” Parnell said. “He is the one who had the inspiration to start the organization and fulfill the different needs of the veterans that federally approved programs did not help with and provide information about other great organizations that were willing to help veterans. But he did not have a venue or method of reaching the veterans in need.”
Veteran’s Outreach became a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization in Youngstown, Ohio in 1994.
“We are not a fraternal organization that has members,” Parnell said as he explained the organization. “We have employees/volunteers that man our set up locations. These individuals are the backbone of our outreach program. In our organization we have retired military, regular veterans, senior citizens, disable veterans and other individuals manning our donation set ups.”
Parnell explained the differences between the Veteran’s Outreach and other veteran’s groups.
“Our organizational structure differs in that we do not have these socially orientated groups at this moment, but rather we have an outreach program that allows us to visit individual towns and communities performing a specific two-fold mission,” he said. “Our fundraising efforts and communicating with the public where the public congregates on a daily basis separates us from the typical fraternal organization. We are out there every day at the grass-root level listening to the public and channeling information about many different organizations for those in need.
“Additionally, our fund raising efforts allow us to have funds necessary to help individual veterans in financial need,” Parnell said. “We perform individual interviews to determine what their needs may be and if help is provided, what difference it will make to help eliminate their burdens.”
Many veterans seek help from other veteran programs.
“Not all of the needs of the veterans are covered by these approved programs thereby leaving gaps,” he said. “Additionally, by the time some of these programs are approved for individual veterans, time has elapsed that sometimes can be detrimental to the veteran’s financial stability. We try to fill these gaps within our resource capabilities or support the veteran during the elapses in time before certain programs take effect.”
The outreach organization seeks to help members of the armed forces who were honorably discharged as recognized by a DD Form 214 or VA Identification Number, Parnell said.
“You can become a member of this organization,” he said. “There is no obligation on the part of any member. We do have a monthly drawing from the membership: the winner receives a $25 gift.”
The Veterans’ Outreach welcomes monetary gifts from private and public entities.
“Our programs are funded by our ‘Outreach Program,’ corporate grants/donations, business solicitations, musical CD sales and personal donations,” he said.
All funds raised stay within the state and all donations are tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law, Parnell said.
Contact the Veterans’ Outreach at 1-888-2-VET-NET for more information.
