Desperate Vets to Receive Grants from Collection Industry This Month

ARMing Heroes, the collection industry’s charity for military veterans, today announced that donors have generously given more than $50,000 this year as a result of the fourth annual No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive, representing the largest amount of funds raised since its inception in 2009. Close to 30 applicants will be awarded a grant this month in the form of a direct payment to creditors, making it that much easier for these veterans to enjoy the holiday season and dramatically improving the veteran’s financial prospects for 2014 in many cases.

Dozens of ARM companies participated in this year’s fundraising effort, enabling the charity to help more vets than ever before. One such company, Gulf Coast Collection Bureau, held an employee fundraiser in which the company auctioned off reserved parking spaces and took entry fees for a Halloween costume contest. With just 35 employees, the company-wide event brought in $700.

Jack Brown III, president of Gulf Coast Collection Bureau, commented, “The support from our employees was absolutely overwhelming. Everyone was thrilled to participate in such a worthy cause, and the experience was so rewarding, we’re already planning on ways to expand our effort next year to raise even more money.” On a personal note, Jack shared, “My grandfather served in World War II, and we also have a World War II veteran on staff. For me, these heroes represent our greatest generation, and I’m proud to have the opportunity to give back, to honor their sacrifices, and support the never-ending efforts of our troops.”

This year’s grant recipients come from different walks of life, possess different backgrounds, and have various levels of need. But the one thing they have in common is the serious financial hardship they’ve had to endure since returning to civilian life. Fully half of the grant recipients are unemployed, and almost two-thirds have expenses that exceed their monthly income. A full 75% of these heroes proudly served our country since 2001, more than a third of them in an imminent danger pay area, and nearly 80% are dealing with service-connected disabilities, making gainful employment that much more of a challenge.

Throughout 2014, ARMing Heroes plans to spotlight several of this year’s grant recipients and how donors were able to help ease the financial burden of those who have served.  This year’s corps of recipients includes a vet who was injured during military training but who has yet to have the Federal government cover this now-delinquent medical bill; a married couple, with a special-needs child, who requested help to pay for a nursing degree that will completely change the couple’s future; and a vet who asked for assistance to cover a single month’s rent while waiting for approval of additional Federal vocational education benefits. These heroes put their lives on hold to serve our country, and their stories help us all realize the hope and help these grants offer to those who need them the most.

The No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive runs from September 11^th through Veterans Day, November 11^th every year. Although this year’s drive has come to a close, tax-deductible donations are being accepted for next year’s drive online at www.armingheroes.org and via mail to PO Box 353, Collingswood, NJ 08108, payable to ARMing Heroes. Pledges may be made to info@armingheroes.org.  Any amounts pledged or donated will be applied to next year’s drive.

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, Gulf Coast Collection Bureau specializes in assisting healthcare providers resolve their patient accounts by working with the consumer and the creditor to find a mutually beneficial resolution to each account. They are a Professional Practices Management System (PPMS) certified agency through ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, and active in multiple trade associations including the Florida Collectors Association, Healthcare Financial Management Association, among others.

ARMing Heroes was founded and began operating in March, 2009.  The organization’s mission is to serve the needs of U.S. military veterans, including their spouse and children. ARMing Heroes fills a charitable niche by linking people identified with employment, credit, and financial counseling needs with the accounts receivable management industry, an industry uniquely poised to help in these areas.  Persons interested in volunteering their time and others interested in applying for benefits or pledging other forms of support are encouraged to contact the organization at www.armingheroes.org.

What Can I Do Right Now to Help?

• Visit www.armingheroes.org and donate now.
• Friend us and post this article to your page on Facebook.
• Tweet about this article on Twitter.
• Join our group on LinkedIn, the ARMing Heroes Veterans Charity Supporter / Assistance Center.
• Comment on this article online and ask us to contact you.
• Forward this article via email to your key contacts.
• Print this article and fax it to your local congressional office and ask them to post our website on theirs as a resource for vets.