Ontario Systems Kicks Off Annual ARMing Heroes Drive to Help Veterans Like Javier Herrera

ARMing Heroes, the collection industry’s charity for military veterans, today announced the beginning of the organization’s fourth annual No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive, which runs from September 11th through Veterans Day, November 11th, every year. Tax deductible donations are now being accepted online at www.armingheroes.org and via mail to PO Box 353, Collingswood, NJ 08108, payable to ARMing Heroes.

Industry giant Ontario Systems, always a leader in technology and services for the accounts receivable management industry, showed leadership in their support of military veterans by getting things off the ground well in advance of the start of the annual fundraiser by holding a drive among employees this summer that resulted in ARMing Heroes receiving a sizeable donation in recent weeks.

Donations in advance of the start of the drive made by industry-leading companies like Ontario Systems and, earlier this year, Coast Professional (which itself held an employee fundraiser this past spring for military veterans) have created momentum for this year’s drive that may propel ARMing Heroes to help more veterans facing financial difficulties than ever before.

In the past several months, press releases like those telling the stories of veterans like Jacob Gayer and Daniel Smith remind all of us why we should support those who have served their country.  And more recent stories, like Javier Herrera’s below in particular, show us how easy it is for those in the collection industry to help veterans in special ways through their contacts, due to how “small” the industry really is.

Iraq Veteran and Dependents Living Out of Motels

Javier Herrera came to ARMing Heroes in the fall of 2012 with a big problem. A decorated combat veteran of Iraq with a 50% service-connected disability rating, he was working part-time at a fast food chain while trying to find a better job.  Meanwhile, he and his seven dependents had been evicted from an apartment for non-payment of rent.  Although the money was legitimately owed, the Herreras were now trapped in a cycle in which they could not pay back the former landlord due to insufficient income, and were forced to move from motel to motel rather than living on the street.  They were trapped in this cycle until Javier applied for and received a grant from ARMing Heroes late in 2012.

Upon receiving the grant application, the organization quickly found a past donor company likely to have contacts at the collection agency pursuing the eviction delinquency.  Within a day, the organization had spoken to the right person at the collection agency, someone in a management position able review the account in consideration of Javier’s service and all the facts.  Within a few days the agency called ARMing Heroes to offer a favorable settlement, one that probably would not have been offered without like-minded industry professionals advocating for assistance in Javier’s time of need.  The grant Javier received paid off the agency, so the Herreras could now rent a new apartment.

When asked why the agency offered such a generous settlement, the manager said that her father had been a U.S. marine in the South Pacific during World War II, and it was the least she could do to help Javier and his family in their time of desperation.

Upon receipt of news of the grant, Javier stated, “I am so grateful for your help for me and my family.  I don’t know what to say.  Thank you for being there for me when no one else would help.”

This story shows how easy it can be for collection industry professionals to make a difference in the lives of veterans through their contacts.

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.