AmazonSmile Helps Decorated Military Vets Overcome Financial Struggles

ARM Vets Charity Combines Donations from Various Sources to Fund Grant-Making Program

Collingswood, NJ: ARMing Heroes, the collection industry’s charity for military veterans, is pleased to share the story of three military veterans from different walks of life to show how much they actually have in common. Each dedicated at least a decade of his life to serving his country, including time spent in both Iraq and Afghanistan; each earned no less than a dozen medals and commendations during his service; each struggled with financial problems after separating from service; and, each received a helpful grant from ARMing Heroes funded in part through the AmazonSmile program.

ARMing Heroes is registered with the program as an authorized funds recipient with the online shopping giant. Shoppers with an Amazon account can designate ARMing Heroes as their charity of choice, so that every purchase the person makes results in a donation of 0.5% of the purchase price to the charity in support of military veterans.  For every $200 spent through the website, military veterans receive $1 through ARMing Heroes, including 2015 grant recipients such as:

* David Schaecher: A 10-year veteran of the U.S. Army with active duty in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Returned home facing service-connected disabilities, overwhelming medical expenses, and mounting debt. The grant he received helped his family pay down a high balance credit card they often use to cover medical expenses.

* Moses Gipson: Served 10 years in the U.S. Army including one tour in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan. Earned three Army commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, an Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Parachutist badge, and several more.

* Zachary Scott: Highly-decorated U.S. Navy Parachute Jumper with more than 14 years of service. Medals and commendations include two Carpenter Mates First Class Joint Service Achievement Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon/Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and several others.

Here’s what a couple of these recipients had to say about receiving their grants in 2015.

David Schaecher

“Thank you so very much. This grant will help us to pay down a high balance credit card that we often use for David’s medical bills that many times insurance does not cover. We appreciate this grant and all the help you are offering to veterans and service members. May God bless you this Christmas, and thank you again.”

Moses Gipson (bottom left)

“Thank you guys for all your support and patience. My family and I are truly blessed and fortunate for this opportunity that you have given us. The timing was Godspeed, I can’t express enough. Please accept this note and when it’s time for me to donate, NO DOUBT I will be there if I can help.”

Mr. Zach Scott

“Thank you so much again for all your help. I cannot tell you how much it means to me and how much I appreciate your organization helping Vets like me when it seems like no one else is. God bless.”

The grant-making program would not exist without support of generous donors within the ARM industry. Dozens of firms across the nation participate in the annual ARMing Heroes No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive, which runs from September 11^th through Veterans Day, November 11^th every year. The monies raised and donated by these firms go directly towards providing much-needed grants to the hundreds of vets who apply annually.

Any and all donations can help support this worthy cause. Hundreds of unemployed, underemployed, and disabled veterans are expected to apply this year, all hoping for a grant to help fill the gap between income and expenses, for needs that are largely unmet by government programs or even by other military charities. Stories of past grant recipients remind us all how rewarding this program can be.

Tax-deductible donations are accepted at any time online at www.armingheroes.org and via mail to PO Box 353, Collingswood, NJ 08108, payable to ARMing Heroes. Pledges may be made to info@armingheroes.org.  Any amounts pledged or donated now will be applied to the 2016 drive.