Florida Veteran Foundation, helped me through a very dire situation, it was one where I had tried other organizations, and was told that I either weren't accepting any new applications or I didn't meet their requirements, so I was about to be evicted, and I was behind on my utilities, Mr.Salas the veteran counselor, at Florida veteran foundation, stepped in to help a veteran,that was in a bad situation, within three days,I had received the help I needed and being a veteran who suffers from PTSD, it relieved so much stress.i am so glad they are here to help those of us who had boots on the ground. God bless you.
Nathaniel Small
The Florida Veteran’s Foundation provided exceptional help during a time of need. When I had nowhere else to turn to, they were there to assist me. I cannot thank them enough.
Corporal Jason Smith, USMC
This morning, I spoke with Ms Brooke Dennison of The Florida Veteran's Foundation. She was so helpful and kind; she went out of her way to discuss with me various options, supplied me with telephone numbers and website addresses where I could go for additional help. I am praying and hoping that things will work out for my 90-year old husband and me, 79, who desperately need assistance with our issues. Thank you.
I was in a big bind, my apartment complex had told me I had to leave for three days due to tenting/fumigation, well I did not have anywhere to go, and could not find accommodations, I tried calling places, just got a run around from 8 different agencies both local and VA here in pinellas county,,not to mention being put on hold and spending well over an hour on the phone, then the last call (when I was ready to give up!) I was given a number to try and I am so glad I called,,the Florida Veterans Foundation, they answered and i finally got to speak to a person about my problem, they were very kind and knew the ropes, they helped me with a voucher for a hotel room, they took care of everything and I am very grateful to the three gentlemen I had talked to. they were very understanding and most kind. I could not have asked for more from these guys,,,very professional and knew their stuff on how to get things done. I highly recommend these great people at the Florida Veterans Foundation,,yes they have the right stuff, much thanks guys I appreciate it !
This excellent non-profit Veterans Foundation and its volunteers in Florida truly care and help our Veterans in so many ways. Several of the Board members are retired military and disabled themselves, recognizing the genuine needs of Veterans. I have observed the dedication of the Foundation and its Board members, particularly in helping those in emergency situations and imminent crises. They provide immediate assistance to those Veterans with critical needs. They help with medical support, suicidal counseling, PTSD help, housing of the homeless, transportation to medical appointments, assistance with bills, providing scooters and even a small refigerator. It is my honor to financially support this outstanding organization that genuinely supports our Veterans and to volunteer to help serve them. This Foundation has received the highest external rating for serving Veterans!
Review from Guidestar
The Florida Veterans Foundation is a great organization helping our Florida Veterans in many ways. They have provided me with guidance and support in helping me treat many Florida Veterans suffering with tbi/ptsd with Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. The FVF has always favorably responded to our requests for aid/support for this great group of Warriors. The leadership of the FVF is a wonderful, strong group of Military retired men and women who are always willing to help and assist our impaired Veterans. The Florida Veterans Foundation is a wonderful, caring organization that responds to Florida Veterans requesting
different types of assistance and aid. Please support the Florida Veterans Foundation. Donations to the Florida Veterans Foundation is money well spent.
I'm an employee of the Douglas T Jacobson State Veterans Home and I just wanted to say a quick thank you for everything this organization have done for all of us, I just received a gift card that I badly needed it at this moment, after losing half of my place when hurricane Ian hit us. The support, the love and understanding the Douglas T Jacobson State Veterans Home have shown me in moment like this make my heart full. I consider myself lucky, I only lost a window, one wall, my window shutters and my lanai when many of us lost everything. I’m blessed to work with the best group of people in the world. I will be eternally grateful for all the love and support this “Family” has shown me. All my love a gratitude to everyone that make all this possible. Thank you for keeping us on your mind and prayers. God blessed you!
Thank You Again.
Givette Della-Rocco
Senior Clerk
Douglas T Jacobson State Veterans Nursing Home
Port charlotte Fl
FVF, led by Chair Dennis Baker and President Lew Wilson, is making direct impact on our local FL veterans in need. As one of their official ambassadors, I can personally attest to their substantial financial donation to Tampa's local 501c3 - "New Beginnings" - led by Pastor Tom, it is a shelter for our homeless veterans and those trying to maintain sobriety and develop resiliency and wellness. As the senior veteran mentor program coordinator, 13th Judicial Circuit's Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), I always have immediate transient housing needs for many of our court enrolled veterans. New Beginnings is literally a 24/7/365 operation and has helped the VTC program for years. FVF's donation greatly assisted with buying food, and critical supplies to the many residents of this program. I presented the FVF check to Pastor Tom and his staff a few months ago and he was so very appreciative.
The Florida Veterans Foundation, Inc has consistently helped Veterans in need in Florida. From providing assistance with bills to providing motorized scooters to providing small refrigerators, the Florida Veterans Foundation has always been there to help. By the way this foundation has only 3 paid employees, all the rest of the service is provided by dedicated volunteers.
Since 2008 the Florida Veterans Foundation, founded by the Florida State Legislature, has been providing a full range of services to Florida veterans including assisting with acquiring benefits, emergency financial support, veteran advocate, transportation to VA Hospitals, final needs support and the annual production of Veteran Benefit guides to all veterans.
The Florida Veterans Foundation is extraordinary in its work for Florida Veterans. One would think that it is difficult to reach over 1.5 million Veterans however, these advocates make it look easy with minimal staff. With all of their resources and veteran networks throughout the state and country they are a force for great every day. I have served this non-profit for over 8 years in many roles and they just keep getting better.
I first learned about this organization in 2017 when one of my co-workers' husband was having multiple health issues and needing to travel and miss work to go to the VA hospital hours away. They needed help navigating issues they were having, and the President of FVF at the time was a huge help to them. I was very impressed with them and shortly after I became both a donor and a board member.
When I was working for an organization that housed veterans who were previously experiencing homelessness, Florida Veterans Foundation replaced two commercial washing machines for the apartment complex as they were down to one machine that would frequently break down so the veterans didn't have to find transportation to a laundromat to do their laundry.
They are continually helping veterans in crisis directly and indirectly by providing grant funding to non-profit organizations who provide services throughout the state of Florida. The organization takes pride in keeping administrative costs well below 10% and strives to provide as much direct service to veterans as possible. Our board members and many volunteers throughout the state are continually looking for new ways to expand our services and benefits to the great veterans who served so selflessly.
I have referred a few veterans to this organization and I continue to be amazed at the responsiveness of all the staff and volunteers. Each case is different, but the results are the same - Florida's veterans are taken care of, even when the situation is complicated or the veteran needs immediate assistance.
I have been associated with FVF for 2 years and have been incredibly impressed by everyone there. They care deeply about veterans because they are veterans themselves and understand the issues veterans face everyday. This is not a fluff organization. FVF supports veterans who really need help. The veterans who run FVF put their heart and soul into this foundation. We as a society sometimes overlook the needs of the men and women who served our country - FVF is working hard to make good on our promise to them.
The Florida Veterans Foundation donated $60, 000 to DAV Transportation Program a few years ago which was used for 3 years to assist with purchasing Ford Van's to transport Veterans to and from VA Healthcare Facilities so they may receive their medical care
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The FVF provided a grant3-4 years ago to Disabled American Veterans to help fund our DAV Transportation Program. This program provides free rides to and from the veteran's VA medical appointment. Their grant helped DAV provide numerous veterans transportation to and from their VA medical appointments for two years.
I have been involved with this non profit helping the veteran community since 2017. They have helped numerous veterans around the state get help when in need. Their aid is extensive from helping with food, clothing, shelter to helping Sr Veterans get all the benefits they have earned and deserve. They provide assistance to over 20,000 veterans per month in the State of Florida.
The Foundation is there for that veteran who is in crisis and has not found help from anywhere else. The Foundation has helped veterans find long term health care services that is right for them. It has helped veterans stay on the job or in a house. It is truly the safety net for veterans in crisis.
Several years ago I was elected as the Service Officer of our local Legion post. I attended Service Officer training in Orlando and the gentleman sitting next to me was Mr. John Haynes. Throughout the day Mr. Haynes informed me of an organization that I had never heard of before, The Florida Veterans Foundation. Later on that day I received a call about one of our local Veterans that was in need of emergency assistance. This seemed exactly the kind of issue that the Foundation could assist in. I relayed the information to Mr. Haynes and he proceeded to pass the info on to someone at the Foundation. The next day I called the office to check on our local Vet. I was amazed to find the issue had already been resolved. It seems that Major John Haynes stepped in to assist in this case. It was that day that I volunteered to help Major Haynes in his life's work, assisting all Veterans in need. The Florida Veterans Foundation will always be the best source of assistance for the men and women that have given their lives to our country.
I have been with FVF for several years and have found that anytime I have Veterans in need I can find a referral to someone that can immediately help. Further many Veterans have financial needs that cannot be helped and in working with the American Legion and many other Veteran Organizations we are able to assist them to get back on their feet. I especially work hard on veterans with families to keep them fed and housed using the many charities that are around my area. It is such a great feeling to help someone and get a smile and thank you in return.