Group showcased ‘Samples of Success’ that help local veterans
Naperville Responds for Our Veterans (NRFOV) held its annual breakfast, “Samples of Success,” to recap its recent efforts toward the ultimate goal of building and remodeling homes in Naperville for military veterans in need. The breakfast, held during Volunteer Week on April 11, took place in the banquet room at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.
Pat Bowler, President of NRFOV, pictured here, noted members of the nonprofit group were well on their way toward achieving their goals, adding it will take tremendous help from those attendees in the room and the community at large.
“Naperville is a very patriotic community with a very large veteran population,” Bowler said. “It’s also a very generous community. There is no other organization that addresses the needs of veterans that are in need of construction related issues. Our goal is to continue to provide those services along with our ultimate goal of providing a home for a disabled veteran this year.”
Rich Cannavino, Building Committee Chair gave a presentation on the projects that the group has completed to date, including several successful home repair projects for disabled veterans in the Naperville area.
U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Jack Amberg (Ret) gave the keynote address on the topic of “Success through Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
Amberg shared thoughts on how the Naperville community can do a lot to help ease the transition of our men and women who are coming home from our recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
”I have studied, as have others, the Veterans dilemma for more than three years… ultimately the solutions are at the community level… and ‘Naperville Responds for our Veterans’ is but one example of how communities need to activate and organize to integrate their returning Heroes,” said Amberg.
He also offered some do’s and don’ts when talking with military personnel who have served on the battlefield about their experiences.
“For example, don’t ever ask them if they shot anyone instead ask what their experiences were,” said Amberg. “Part of their therapy is talking about their experiences.”
Several community outreach fundraising events are planned throughout the year.
NRFOT also will participate in the Naperville Memorial Day Parade on Mon., May 28, “so that they can do their part to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and liberty,” organizers said.
Bob Koch, Fundraising and Events Chairman who was responsible for the breakfast event, added, “We wouldn’t have a community like Naperville if those men and woman weren’t willing to go to the places that they do to fight against those that wish to cause us harm.”
For more information or to contribute to the organization, visit www.NRFOV.org.
FYI: The mission of the NRFOV organization is to assist veterans in need by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and coordinates the process of repairing, building and donating homes.
The nonprofit 501 (c) 3 group seeks to know about veterans that need help with their homes in Naperville area. Use our website to help yourself, as a veteran, or to help others. Local help is available for local veterans as a community service.
Photo by Kristen Jungles with story courtesy of Nina Menis and Sharon Gorrell.
