By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer
JACKSON – Representatives of New Jersey Veterans Helping Veterans Worldwide, a Jackson-based organization, will hand out American flags and ask for donations to support their efforts on May 21.
From noon to 3 p.m., members will be at the Wawa convenience store on County Line Road near Harmony Road, Jackson, according to Executive Director Don O’Connell.
O’Connell, a 13-year resident of Jackson who served in the U.S. Army between the Korean and Vietnam wars, said, “It is part of our organizational mission to provide whatever we can to help our fellow veterans in need. We strongly believe in our mission.”
He said New Jersey Veterans Helping Veterans Worldwide recently presented 50 pounds of dry pasta to the Jackson Food Pantry and 50 pounds to the Bread From Heaven Pantry, Jackson, in order to feed needy veterans and their families in the community.
O’Connell said New Jersey Veterans Helping Veterans Worldwide has recently established representation in Germany, Panama, Puerto Rico, Florida, Kentucky, Arizona, Illinois, New York, other areas of New Jersey, and Georgia, and is seeking other ambassadors throughout the world, wherever U.S. military veterans are located.
He said the organization recently gave away 500 American flags in Kentucky as part of its mission.
New Jersey Veterans Helping Veterans Worldwide had its start in 2014 as an outgrowth of the U.S. Army’s Freedom Team Salute, which presented certificates to veterans, O’Connell said.
Representatives of the organization are veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
O’Connell said he would like people who may consider making a donation to know that 97 percent of all money raised goes directly to veterans. Financial assistance may include helping to pay a veteran’s utility bills or rent, or an automotive repair bill.
He said the remaining 3 percent of the funds raised is used for postage and for printing certificates that are presented to veterans.
New Jersey Veterans Helping Veterans Worldwide is a New Jersey and federal tax exempt organization. Additional information may be obtained by calling 848-260-8400, sending an email to njvhvn1@gmail.com or visiting www.njvhvn.org
