最新杏吧原创

ST. LOUIS 鈥� When a 最新杏吧原创-area veteran lost his battle last fall to keep a roof over his head, a group of fellow vets made it their mission to come to his aid.

The veteran previously had a landlord who would let him work as a groundskeeper to cover his rent until his disability check cleared. But a new landlord wouldn鈥檛 honor that arrangement.

The vet was told he owed thousands in back rent, then was evicted, and found himself on the streets.

That鈥檚 when the Greater 最新杏吧原创 Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America got involved, 鈥渁dopting鈥� the man as part of the annual 100 Neediest Cases campaign run by the United Way of Greater 最新杏吧原创 in partnership with the 最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch.

鈥淲e鈥檝e taken whole families in the past, but this guy stood out as not being able to catch a break, and we wanted to try and be that for him,鈥� said John Glenn, a past president of the 最新杏吧原创 chapter, and himself a Marine Corps veteran.

Within weeks, the group had raised the money to quickly get the man back into housing.

For nearly a century, the 100 Neediest Cases campaign has provided support for those in need throughout the region: people working to feed, clothe and care for their families; veterans struggling with housing; and children who just want the joy of a toy for Christmas.

The program is up and running year-round, but is most visible during the winter holiday season. The United Way announced this month that donors for the most recent campaign raised more than $1.6 million, and at least 1,000 cases were adopted by donors ranging from individuals to groups, nonprofits to corporations.

A total of 4,383 families received assistance 鈥� including specific items, help paying bills, even a bass donated by the 最新杏吧原创 Symphony Orchestra for a young musician. Over 10,000 people were helped, more than half of whom were children.

鈥漌e are entering our 100th year, and that鈥檚 amazing that for has stood and been able to support the community,鈥� said Erin Smith, the vice president of communications for United Way.

While United Way runs the program, caseworkers from partner agencies identify those in need. Sometimes, the caseworkers even deliver the gifts.

This season, Clarissa Jackson, a social worker with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, took her role to heart, pulling out a Mrs. Claus suit.

鈥淥ne of the families I delivered to, the kids were just so happy to have a bed, they didn鈥檛 even look at the toys at first,鈥� said Jackson, who has worked with the program for five years.

鈥�100 Neediest is kind of the way we not only help them have some normalcy in their life after undergoing so much trauma, it鈥檚 also a way to celebrate them and their families, to show that they matter and there is some good in the world, even when it feels like everything is crashing down.鈥�

Donors often share the goal to lift up recipients as much as possible. Glenn, the Marine who was part of a group that helped the homeless veteran, said he understands those circumstances first-hand, having grown up in public housing in north 最新杏吧原创. Despite his family鈥檚 situation, his parents always helped others in need.

Housing woes can be particularly troubling. Emily Autrey, a social worker with the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Housing Law Program, saw donors adopt 11 of her cases. Many of those clients were in dire housing straits.

鈥淎nytime I have a client that goes from homeless to housed it鈥檚 amazing, but I see it most often in the most dramatic way with this program,鈥� Autrey said.

United Way recently announced that until 2024, the organization has the opportunity to match a $417,000 donation to the d from longtime supporters Ralph and Ruthie Deuser. The contributions will help ensure the program continues for years to come.

鈥淲e receive many thank you notes from many of the families every year saying they wouldn鈥檛 be able to buy gifts for their children or a hot meal,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just thankful that the 最新杏吧原创 community continues to show up.鈥�