Organization helps local veterans

LIBERTY — Veterans’ Outreach Inc.’s exists to help military veterans in need.

“When a veteran needs help, I write a check,” said Robert Julian, vice president, treasurer and service director for the nonprofit organization.

Interviewed at Veterans’ Outreach’s new national headquarters in Liberty, Julian said he fields all veterans’ calls and helps those who visit the office in person at 7 Belgrade Ave.

The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“Anything donated, we give away,” Julian said.

There is a $200 monetary cap per person per year, though the amount can exceed that in special circumstances, he said.

“We are at around 100 cases a week on hard help, meaning direct financial aid,” said John Ely, founder and president of Veterans’ Outreach.

“This is and has been our defining place in society. A lot of agencies and organizations like and appreciate the voids that we have filled,” he said.

Julian said Veterans’ Outreach has funded items as diverse as a car battery, gasoline to get to an appointment at Wade Park (at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center), or even help to get a seeing eye dog.

“There is no better feeling than helping people, especially veterans,” he said.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com