DONATE NOW

This year’s 12 Vets Of Christmas begins on December 20! Each day for 12 days, you will get to meet each one of these veterans and find out how your support has changed their life for the better. We hope you’ll tune in right here on our blog (and social media – @hvafofindiana) and continue to support HVAF in 2024 and beyond!

Day 1 – Meet Tommy

Meet Tommy, a resilient Marine veteran whose story embodies hope and new beginnings. A few months ago, after facing homelessness in Tennessee and Atlanta, Tommy moved to Indiana in search of a fresh start. Upon his arrival, he immediately began researching available assistance programs and discovered HVAF. “I called them up, and they got me moving fast,” Tommy recalled.

Thanks to the committed support of HVAF—particularly his case manager, Doneeka—he was able to secure a safe and stable place at Manchester Apartments. “She is the best, I talk to her almost every day,” Tommy said with gratitude.

Unfortunately, Tommy’s time in Manchester was cut short when, on October 26th, the devastating fire broke out, leaving him and 47 other veterans displaced. During the chaos of that night, Tommy’s first concern was for his fellow residents. As smoke filled the halls, Tommy took action, rallying a few of the other residents to start helping. Tommy and the others wasted no time and began knocking on doors to alert residents of the fire, helping to ensure everyone made it out safely.

“We just wanted to make sure everyone got out safely,” Tommy said. Though he lost all his belongings in the fire, his resolve remained unshaken. After spending a little over a week in temporary housing at a local hotel, Tommy received life-changing news—his application for permanent housing in a downtown apartment had been approved.

Today, Tommy is proudly settled into his new studio apartment, and his joy is contagious. “I finally feel like I have a place to call my own,” he shared. He beamed as he showed off his space, from his fully stocked fridge and closet full of clothes to the bathroom he could finally call his own. “I owe a lot to HVAF, the food pantry is amazing, and the clothes—some of the nicest clothes I’ve ever had,” he said with pride.

Grateful for the critical aid of clothing and food donations, following the fire, Tommy is now focused on rebuilding his life, eagerly pursuing full-time employment, and looking forward to a bright future.

Thanks to you, Tommy has a roof over his head. Thanks to you, Tommy’s closet is full. Thanks to you, veterans like him are finding stability, dignity, and hope once again.

“Thank you so much…” Tommy said, speaking directly to the HVAF community and donors who have done so much to help him find self-sufficiency. “Your efforts are not in vain, you know, they have built me up. I’ve got a good start here!”

To help us continue this vital work, ensuring pantries remain stocked and veterans receive life-changing support, please consider contributing to HVAF today.

This holiday season, join us as we head into 2025 and help continue to empower veterans like Tommy on their path to success with one final 2024 tax-deductible donation!

DONATE NOW