Faith-based organization serves veterans at HVAF
November 22, 2016A homeless veteran turns her life around with help from HVAF
November 22, 2016A fulfilled promise
When Cheri Weisheit’s father, Byron Kent Maxfield “Kent” passed away of pancreatic cancer he had lived in the same house for over 14 years. It was the house where so many memories lived with Thanksgiving and Christmas’ around the dinner table for 28 family members, a cross he would hold that would be passed around the table, Indianapolis Colts parties, as well as sitting on the back patio watching sunsets. In the weeks and months after he passed, Cheri says it was hard to be in the house without him. Every corner was filled with his life – his photo albums, books, and clothes.
“There was a part of me, I think, that wanted to leave the house the way it was, a perfect time capsule,” says Cheri.
She asked herself many questions: How can we change this house where my father was living? How can we give a single thing away?
The answers came down to a promise that Cheri made to her father in which she fulfilled. He asked that his clothing be given to homeless veterans. Cheri had heard about HVAF through her father’s friend.
Cheri walked into HVAF carrying 10 large bags of clothing in honor of her father, and she felt emotional but thankful that she was able to give back.
“My Dad started hospice care about 8 weeks prior to his passing and actually helped to box and bag a large portion of his clothes that were donated,” says Cheri. “It is meaningful to know that his clothes will go to the men and women who have served our nation.”
HVAF provides housing, programs and services, and basic needs to homeless veterans. We accept gently used clothes, food, and hygiene items.
“My father wanted to go back to Vietnam with love in his heart in hope to heal old wounds. With help through his friends, church and Global Missions, he was able to go back to Vietnam, not once but twice, on a mission to help support orphanages,” adds Cheri.
Cheri fulfilled her promise to her father.