A Year of Service and Community Engagement – Veterans Help Group

A Year of Service and Community Engagement – Veterans Help Group

It has been a busy year at Veterans Help Group. In addition to assisting our clients with the relentless pursuit of deserved VA disability benefits, we pride ourselves on also remaining engaged and active in communities across the country as it relates to the everyday well-being of veterans. We know how important it is to give back to the veteran community in real and meaningful ways, and we find great joy in doing so.

Supporting Homeless Veterans Through VA Stand Down Events

This year, Veterans Help Group participated in 13 VA Stand Down for Homelessness events across several states, including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, and West Virginia. Homeless veterans face numerous vulnerabilities, such as PTSD and other mental health challenges, substance abuse, service-related disabilities, limited access to affordable housing, and difficulties transitioning to civilian life. VA and community partners host Stand Down events nationwide to support these individuals by providing food, hygiene kits, clothing, personal care items, sleeping bags, and boots. Community organizations also attend to distribute donated items and share information about services available to veterans.

Honoring Service Through the Honor Flight Program

Two of our team members served as guardians on an Honor Flight with the West Central Florida Honor Flight Chapter. Honor Flight transports veterans to Washington, D.C., at no cost, where they can visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. In addition, three team members volunteered at the chapter’s annual fundraiser, which helps cover the cost of sending veterans on these meaningful trips.

Building Homes and Stronger Connections With Habitat for Humanity

Members of the Veterans Help Group team also contributed to a Habitat for Humanity home build that we proudly sponsored for a veteran homeowner. During the build, we learned that the homeowner was one of our clients—making the experience even more meaningful and creating a powerful full-circle moment for our team. Veteran’s advocate Jen Puryear and case manager Travis Hulsizer were among the volunteers, adding to the impact of the day.

Advocacy, Education, and Community Partnerships

This year, several team members joined the Valley Healthcare Veterans Coalition. Senior Advocate Victoria Gorby traveled to Morgantown, WV, to speak at one of their luncheons about VA disability claims and how veterans can maximize their benefits. Our Clearwater team also partnered with Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas. Director of Community Outreach Bobbi Boudi attends their monthly meetings, and she and our advocates participate in monthly veteran coffee socials. Veterans Help Group additionally became a community partner with AUSA, where Managing Advocate Donnel Beckles was appointed as the Sixth Region Benefits Advisor. Throughout the year, Bobbi and several senior advocates were invited to speak at local events and provide educational workshops on VA service-connected benefits.

Harvest for Heroes: Giving Back During the Holidays

Each year, we host at our office in Clearwater Harvest for Heroes. We distributed 247 Thanksgiving Meal Kits at the event and delivered an additional 70 kits to Valor Preserve, providing more than 300 kits in total. This year, we were grateful to partner with 25 Community Partners who generously contributed side items for the meal kits and volunteered their time. The remaining food items were donated to HEP and a St. Petersburg food pantry to further support local families.

Looking Ahead to 2026

This year, we focused on expanding our team’s involvement in their local communities and encouraging them to share their time and talents in service to veterans. We are proud of the increased engagement and look forward to doing even more in 2026.

Get Support or Partner With Veterans Help Group

Disabled veterans who need assistance navigating the VA disability benefits process can reach out to Veterans Help Group here for a FREE consultation and to learn how our advocates can help pursue the benefits they have earned through their service.

Community organizations, veteran groups, and businesses interested in partnering with Veterans Help Group or collaborating on future outreach efforts are invited to connect with Bobbi Boudi, Director of Community Outreach bboudi@Veteranshelpgroup.com, to explore opportunities to support veterans together.

Resources:

• Stand Down For Homelessness
• Honor Flight West Central Florida
• Habitat For Humanity
• Valley Healthcare Veterans Coalition
• Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas
• Valor Preserve
• HEP