Purple Heart Vet Receives ARM Charity Grant with Help from Long-Time Donor CAI

COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. – In the news today, ARMing Heroes (www.armingheroes.org), the collection industry’s charity for military veterans, shared the story of Sergeant Ben Graham, a highly-decorated U.S. Army veteran who served as an active member of the Military Police, including time spent in Iraq in an imminent danger pay area. During his nearly six years of service, Sgt. Graham earned a Bronze Star, two Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, an Iraq Combat Medal, and several others. Unfortunately, Sgt. Graham was critically wounded in the line of duty, prompting his medical retirement from service. Ben was awarded a Purple Heart.

Sgt. Graham’s battle to right his finances, a battle he had to wage solely due to his service, would prove challenging after his separation from the Army. He returned home to his wife, Lori, facing permanent physical disabilities, unable to work. Lori had to leave her job as a school teacher to care for him full time. The couple used credit cards to help make ends meet while waiting for Ben’s disability compensation benefits. Resulting financial problems seemed impossible to overcome. He turned to ARMing Heroes for help in mid-2015, and had this to say upon hearing news of his grant award.

“My wife Lori and I would like to take thank all of the donors that allowed us to receive this much-needed grant from ARMing Heroes.  When I was medically retired from the Army, my wife and I accrued some debt on a credit card while waiting for my government pay to change over.  This grant will go directly towards that credit card debt, and I am happy to tell you that it will pay it off.”

Ben Graham

ARMing Heroes relies on the generosity of ARM industry companies across the country to make this grant program possible. One such firm, Credit Adjustment, Inc. (CAI) of Defiance, Ohio, has been a long-time supporter of the charity, and participated once again in the 2015 No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive. Centered around Veterans Day, the company fund drive was led by a committee of military veterans employed in each of the four company locations. Employees were given the opportunity to donate to the charity through voluntary payroll deductions or direct contributions. As an incentive, those who participated in the drive could wear red, white, and blue on Veterans Day to celebrate their efforts and show their support.

Director of Human Resources Amy Bains commented, “We’re proud to once again support ARMing Heroes, and we have encouraged all of our employees to show their appreciation for service members who struggle with their transition to civilian life. With so many veterans on staff, we recognize the importance of helping those who served, and supporting this charity is just one more way we can give back. We are honored to be part of such a noble cause and look forward to continuing this tradition in the future.”

With Memorial Day quickly approaching, the charity is encouraging interested parties to honor the holiday by considering how they would like to support this worthy cause.  The 2016 grant application process is set to begin in July, but potential donors, as well as hopeful grant applicants, are already showing interest. Information on how to get involved can be found here.

Most grant applicants struggle with service-connected disabilities, unemployment, and delinquent debt, and have turned to ARMing Heroes to help get their lives back on track. These American heroes are all hoping for a grant to help fill the gap between income and expenses, for needs that are largely unmet by government programs or even by other military charities.  Stories of past grant recipients remind us all how rewarding this program can be.

The charity’s flagship No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive runs from September 11^th through Veterans Day, November 11^th every year, however tax-deductible donations are accepted at any time 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 now will be applied to the 2016 drive.

About Credit Adjustments, Inc.

Credit Adjustments is a leading provider of collection solutions for higher education, healthcare, and consumer organizations nationally.   The company has four locations across the country. 

About ARMing Heroes

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.
• Make ARMing Heroes your designated charity through the AmazonSmile program.
• Like the ARMing Heroes page 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.
• 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.