The VFW Post 3762 Riders came together Saturday to build a wheelchair-accessible ramp for a veteran who had been waiting for two years to receive assistance.
The VFW Riders started early Saturday morning at the home of Larry and Carol Brown, who were in dire need of a wheelchair ramp. The home, on Riverbirch Road, was not suitable for the veteran who is now wheelchair bound. After hearing from Hospice of Fayette County that this veteran needed help, the VFW Riders jumped into the action, and between receiving the call and the completion of the ramp, only six days had passed.
“We were contacted by Hospice a couple weeks ago about a Fayette County Vietnam veteran Larry Brown and his wife Carol in need of a wheelchair ramp,” Sam Johnson, public affairs officer for the Riders said during a recent interview. “The man has been asking and waiting for two years. Two years just wanting to sit on his porch. So last weekend, my brothers and sisters of the VFW Riders Post 3762 built his wheelchair ramp in one day.”
Johnson said this type of assistance is why they are here. When someone is waiting for this long amount of time just to get basic needs taken care of, it can really be disappointing to the veterans. The Riders are trying to combat this problem by offering assistance. Already the organization helps with bills, such as rent, electric or gas, and have built multiple ramps for local veterans. Throughout February, the Riders have also been holding a coat drive. None of these things would be possible though without the support from the community….support Johnson is continuing to ask for.
“We appreciate the outstanding support we have received from the community, but we are in need ourselves so we can continue to care for our local veterans,” Johnson said. “Any donations to our organization would be appreciated and will really go a long way in helping. Also, we’ll be distributing clothing from the coat drive on February 28 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the VFW Post 3762 at 335 Veterans Way in Washington Court House. We will be serving free meals during those hours also.”
The Riders would also like to invite the community to the Bloomingburg town hall on March 4 when they will distribute clothing from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will also be a food truck serving free food starting at 10 a.m.
Finally, Johnson encouraged veterans needing assistance to call him at (740) 505-2650. Donations can be dropped off at the VFW Post 3762 in an envelope.
