All spiffed up and gleaming in the sun, nearly 100 antique, foreign, collector, modified and muscle cars were parked alongside one another at the 12th annual Father’s Day Car Show to benefit Vietnam Veterans of Indian River County, which is open to all local veterans.
“Through good relationships with people in town, I never have to ask anybody twice. I’ve got raffle prizes out there today that are worth over $1,400. I mean, people are so good and so generous. I’m just so pleased,” said event organizer Craig Waskow, noting that the event has raised some $65,000 since its inception.
“Our main thrust right now is furnishing the 20-unit, single-bedroom efficiencies on Royal Palm Point. We’re raising money to furnish them and put in basic creature comforts,” said Waskow, adding that they also assist veterans with various short-term expenses.
Vic Diaz, VVIRC treasurer, explained that theirs is an all-volunteer, stand-alone nonprofit, established strictly for local veterans.
“Everyone thinks, when we mention a veteran, that it’s all men,” said Michael Bodnar, VVIRC vice president. “We have gals. They’re just as important as the rest. They just don’t get the recognition.”
Members annually go into wooded areas to assist the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council with its Point in Time Count of the homeless in the county, and they provide homeless veterans with food, blankets, clothing, bedding and other essentials.
Diaz said the Veterans Affairs office also informs them about veterans needing assistance, having run into trouble through addictions to alcohol or drugs.
“They go into the VA Domiciliary, and when they’re getting ready to get out the VA calls us. I’ve had four calls this week alone, but I don’t have any beds available,” said Diaz.
“We try to steer them back into employment, to become a productive member of society once again,” added Bodnar. He added that they act as mentors to veterans arrested for misdemeanor or low-level felonies who opt into Veteran Courts and guide them through the program.
Additionally, Diaz said, they help veterans file claims for the benefits they either didn’t realize they were entitled to or didn’t know how to access. They have a retired attorney accredited with the VA to research claims, and eight volunteers qualified to file them.
“Over the last seven or eight years, we probably brought into Indian River County about $40 million,” said Diaz, adding that many of the veterans received a 100 percent disability rating.
“The problem was, they weren’t recognized by the VA as having the problems,” Bodnar explained. “So what we do is we work up the claim, gather the evidence, submit it. A lot of times it gets rejected, but we don’t stop there. We pursue it.”
“Right now, it’s extremely tough with everybody raising their rents. Veterans need help and we’re here for them,” said Diaz. “It doesn’t make any difference; they’re a veteran.
Our motto is to help those who have borne the price for our freedom.”
Ultimately, they hope to find a piece of property large enough to build tiny homes.
“They’re veterans so they would all qualify for a VA loan. The idea is for them to own their little piece of property and their home,” said Bodnar. “A lot of these guys are living in the woods. They have an income, but not enough.”
VVIRC members meet the first Wednesday of every month at 696 8th Court, Vero Beach. For more information, call 772-794-0005.
Photos provided
