Rotarian Clubs join in to Help Veterans
Submitted by Dr. D. Michael Hart
Four New Jersey Rotary Clubs, together with General Needs, Inc., delivered needed winter clothing to 164 veterans living at Lyons VA Hospital and nearby Valley Brook Village on Saturday, December 3, 2022. This coalition does a distribution almost every month.
It is estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide every day. Many veterans are suffering from PTSD, alcoholism, or drug addiction, and some end up homeless. Military veterans put their lives and health on the line to protect our freedom. Rotarians feel that it our responsibility to help them live a decent life, with respect, and to give them support and hope.
The four Rotary Clubs cooperating in the program are The Rotary Clubs of Hillsborough, Morristown, Somerset Hills, and Westfield.
The Rotarians who volunteered are: from The Rotary Club of Westfield: Burim Regjaj, Dio Regjaj, Mary Ellen O’Boyle, President Tony LaPorta, and Secretary Dr. Michael Hart; from the Rotary Club of Morristown: Ray Wenzel, Paul Nelson, and Bill Weiss; from the Rotary Club of Hillsborough: Rich Salem and Jim Machut; and from The Rotary Club of Somerset Hills: Lauren Carpenter. The staff from General Needs attending are Lonnie Sherman (who is also a Rotarian), his wife Susan Sherman, and Greg Goldstein.
Lyons VA Hospital in Bernard’s Township, NJ, accepts homeless veterans. Lyons gives them a bed and meals and some clothing, but not everything they need. The VA system offers counseling and career advice. The veterans stay at the hospital a few months, and once stable, they are moved to a more permanent facility, such as Valley Brook Village. Currently 44 homeless veterans are living at Lyons VA Hospital and 120 veterans are living at Valley Brook Village. Both facilities were built by the Federal Veterans Administration. The Hospital is administered by the VA and Valley Brook is administered by an independent private company.
General Needs is an organization dedicated to supporting veterans to help prevent suicides. The Rotary clubs raise funds to supplement the items being provided by General Needs. This month General Needs donated boots to all 164 veterans in both facilities; the Rotary clubs provided additional funds to purchase socks, and winter coats.
Rotarians have raised funds for an additional distribution of wrapped gifts containing winter hats, gloves and scarves to all 164 veterans. These will be distributed as part of a holiday party.
Tax deductible contributions are welcome to help support these veterans and may be made to: The Westfield Rotary Club Foundation, Inc., c/o Treasurer Stephan Specht, 416 East Dudley Ave, Westfield, NJ, 07090.
The Rotary Club of Westfield meets the first three Tuesdays of each month for lunch at Limani Seafood Grill on North Ave., in Westfield, at noon. Guests are always welcome. For information check out the website westfieldrotary.com or contact club secretary Dr. Michael Hart by email at drmhart@yahoo.com
For more information on General Needs please visit generalneeds.org.
