Purple Heart Homes Central Virginia Community Organized Volunteer Group (VCOG) and Lynchburg Area Veterans Council Unite to Support Families Impacted by Tragedy
The Purple Heart Homes (PHH) Central Virginia Community Organized Volunteer Group (VCOG), in partnership with the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council (LAVC), is rallying support to aid a local family devastated by tragedy. While this effort does not directly align with PHH’s core mission of providing housing solutions for service-connected disabled Veterans, the organization is committed to raising awareness about the seriousness of Veteran suicide and its lasting impact on families.
In late September, a tragic event claimed the lives of three individuals, including a Veteran who took his own life, leaving behind two children in need of immediate support. These children are now in the care of extended family members living in overcrowded and under-resourced conditions. With limited space, inadequate plumbing, and pressing household needs, the family faces significant challenges as they navigate this difficult time, with the goal of providing a safe, loving environment with sufficient living space for these twin children.
Purple Heart Homes quickly stepped up to support the efforts of its Central Virginia Community Organized Volunteer Group. Members of the group have since committed to working closely with the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council to address the family’s housing and plumbing needs, ensuring they have the resources necessary to rebuild and heal.
MIKE Endowment Matching $15,000 in Donations
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Purple Heart Homes CEO, John Gallina, reached out to Joe Ziler, Founder of the Mental Illness and Kindness Endowment (MIKE) a long-time supporter of PHH. The MIKE Endowment supports mental health and suicide awareness initiatives, in memory of Joe’s brother Mike, who took his own life. They have pledged to match donations up to $15,000, effectively doubling the impact of contributions and enabling immediate improvements to the family’s home.
“This tragedy highlights the critical need to address Veteran mental health and suicide prevention,” said Mike Lennon, PHH Board Member. “While our mission at PHH is focused on providing housing solutions for disabled Veterans, we also recognize the importance of stepping in when families face crises. We’re delivering hope and love through targeted construction projects because every Veteran and their loved ones deserve a safe place to call home.”
The Purple Heart Homes VCOG and LAVC invite the community to join in supporting this effort.
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“We may not always understand the battles our Veterans face, but we can stand together to honor their service and help their families rebuild,” Lennon added. “This project reminds us that even in tragedy, hope and love can make a difference.”
About Purple Heart Homes
Co-founded by two combat-wounded Veterans, Purple Heart Homes has been bringing communities together to provide safe, barrier-free housing solutions for qualified Veterans since its founding in 2008. A nonprofit organization based in Statesville, N.C., PHH supports service-connected disabled and senior Veterans from all eras across the continental U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico through a growing network of local chapters. Programs include critical home repairs and renovations to help Veterans live independently in their homes, home ownership programs, and transitional housing through partnerships with other nonprofit organizations. Learn more at phhusa.orgMedia Contacts:
Rex Brust, President - Central Virginia Community Organized Volunteer Group (VCOG)
434-826-0393 |rejabrust@gmail.com
Tom Current, President - Lynchburg Area Veterans Council (LAVC)
434-525-7925 | tomcurrentlaw@verizon.net
