Many of you may know that the primary mission of the Patriot Guard Riders is to stand for our fallen military veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders. We accomplish this by participating in funeral services, doing so strictly as invited guests of the immediate family. We stand with dignity, rendering honor and respect for our fallen heroes.
Many people are not aware however, of another Patriot Guard Rider program called Help on The Homefront (HOTH). The mission of the HOTH Program is to assist those qualified military veterans who are in crisis, through no fault of their own. This assistance may be financial in nature, such as paying overdue rent or utility bills, emergency car repairs, etc. The Patriot Guard Riders HOTH program also supports a Veteran Transition Assistance Program. Qualified veterans who have, or are working through Veterans Affairs sponsored help programs may be provided with assistance for rent or brand-new furniture, at no cost to them, through an arrangement with Raymour & Flanigan.
Since these programs are supported only by donations, it is our fiduciary responsibility to ensure that the donations are used for the purpose intended. To that end, each application received for HOTH assistance is closely reviewed and voted upon individually by each member of the 9-member PGRNY Board of Directors. A majority approval by the Board is required for the approval of any application and expenditure of funds.
At the last Board of Directors meeting, it was decided that the reach of the HOTH program should be extended, and it was suggested that we provide a level of financial support to the Homeless Veteran Programs supported by the Veteran Affairs facilities across the state.
To date, we have donated $5,000.00 each to the Homeless Veteran Programs at; Albany NY Health Care System (Stratton VAMC), Western New York Health Care (Buffalo VAMC), Finger Lakes NY Health Care System (Canandaigua VAMC), Syracuse Health Care System (Syracuse VAMC) and the Northport NY Health Care System.
When complete, $25,000.00 will have found its way to assisting homeless veterans in local communities across the state with immediate food and shelter, both transitional and permanent housing, job training, life skills development and education.
For more information on HOTH, click here.
