hen veterans cometogether great thingshappen, and in thiscase, after a surprisingrevelation in 2009, JD

Simpson, his wife Lynette Simpson, andgood friend Rich Cislak came togetherwith a life changing goal to help Veteransin need. From there they organizedThree Hots and A Cot, Inc., also knownas 3HAC. The name of the organizationderives from the very basic need an activeservice member receives while serving,three hot meals and cot to sleep on.3HAC is a 501c3 organization that wasfounded by veterans to help veterans inneed. Both Simpson and Cislak proudlyserved in the United States Navy and madeit their primary mission to assist homelessmilitary veterans in transition from life onthe streets into a self-sustained lifestyle.For various reasons, these veterans of thethe streets, in abandoned houses, underbridges, in old warehouses, in city parks,and in the back of rental trucks. 3HAC isNOT a Homeless Shelter, but a gateway toindependence. Whatever the need of theveteran, 3HAC will help them meet it. 3HACsobjective is to be a source of healing andprevention of a national tragedy. Althoughnew, it is a dire need across the country.

The Story of 3HAC is inspiring and startsat Obama's Presidential Inauguration inJanuary of 2009. While attending, JDSimpson saw homeless veterans at the WWIImemorial located near the White House.Seeing that many of the homeless wereveterans struck a chord that vibratedthrough his very being. He took it uponhimself to dig deeper into the matter andcontacted the VA the very next day. Afterasking who was supposed to help these poor

veterans, Simpson was told that non-if we had the time we would form asurprising turn of events, the companySimpson was working for declaredbankruptcy and suddenly theopportunity landed in his lap.Simpson, his wife, and good friendRich Cislak, decided to form 3HAC.After asking the VA where a homelessveterans program was in dire need, hewas told Birmingham, Alabama. Thisstarted in March of 2009 in

Virginia and by May of 2009 Simpsonconvinced his wife to pull their fundstogether to make the move to Birmingham.Simpson and Cislak traveled to Alabamaand spent the next several monthsinforming everyone that they were tryingto raise money to open a veterans center. By April of 2010 they leased an old houseby Grace Episcopal Church for $1, andbegan extensive renovations that allowedthe newly converted home, which is nowcalled Saint Benedicts Veterans Center, toopen in June of 2010 for twelve veterans. ByOctober of 2010 3HAC was given and tookownership of a 17 bedroom, 9 bath homein the Center Point area of Birmingham,Alabama. They beganraising money to renovateand opened the facility inDecember of that year,which currently providesa home for 13 homelessveterans plus housing forfour formerly homelessveterans who now serveas part of the staff at3HAC. In September of2011, they brought inveteran and now offer co-ed housing. 3HAC openedfacility in Woodlawn atthe end of August, andis now home to threeveterans in long termand more permanenthousing. 3HACs secondshared living homeThe Wayland House,that opened earlier thisdesignated for a family.Currently there are threemore homes awaitingfunding to renovateand open for veteran housing. When it comes to success rate, overall since they started, 3HAC has had 310veterans and family members participatein the program. 206 of those veteranshave moved into independent housing,reconciled with families, or moved onto other VA programs. There were 30

veterans residing at transitionalhouses and 11 veterans and familymembers living in independent homesoperated by 3HAC. Over all, therehas been nearly an 80% successrate in their program thus far. Typically, 3HAC houses about 30 men andwomen each night. Each year they providea total of 1,044 trips to the VA Hospital and10,950 nights of shelter including 32,850meals for the veterans in the program. Like any charitable organization Simpsonput it best, The more people thatknow what we are doing - themore people that can help.3HAC has attracted the attention of manynews media sources, international andnational, such as CNN, localseveral local news print media, andradio interviews. From the determinationof three good hearted people, theyhave helped over 300 men andwomen recapture theirindependence. AND they have done thiswithout any Federal or State grants; ithas been strictly all from the generosity ofdonations from individuals and largecompanies such as Home Depot, AT&T

Pioneers, Wal-Mart,Alabama Power, andmany others. Themajority of fundraisingcomes from smallcompanies donating invalues as large as $1,000.Individuals giving $20or $100 or more helpwith the rightful cause. In the end, 3HAC

continues to do greatthings for the veteransand families in needby giving them a freshstart.

"homeless" and"veteran"NEVERsays Simpson, and he isright! There will always bedaily challengesbut with thegenerosity, kindness,

and donations of many, they can continueto help veterans in need.

SO HOW EXACTLY DID THISGET STARTED?

Almosteveryone knowssomeone who hasserved or is currently serving inour countrys military. Whether it isthe Marines, Army, Navy, Air force,Coast Guard, National Guard, orReserves you know the importanceof care packages. During times ofdeployment service members enjoywith personal items from magazinesto Ramen noodles. If you have neversent a care package, and wouldlike to, consider donating to HeroesIn Action. They are a registered501c3 charitable organizationand a wonderful Military SupportOutreach group based out of Toledo,Ohio. They have been shippingpackages every month to servicemembers since December 2004.The mission for this noble charityis to SUPPORT, communicate,send care packages overseas,and to encourage the familieshere at home who are leftbehind during a time ofdeployment, training, or mission. One thing that makes thisorganization very special comparedto other organizations is that,not only do they ship thousandsof boxes overseas, they also shipgoods with in the United Statesfor those wounded. The generositydoes not stop there either. Heroes inAction also supports families withpersonal needs such as housingand auto repairs, food baskets,newborn baskets, and blankets forthe wounded. A monthly supportgroup is held to educate, prepare,information and emotional issuesthat may occur with service membersreturning home, such as PTSD (PostTraumatic Stress Disorder) or effectsfrom a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Remember, it is important thatthe brave men and woman serving

HEROS IN ACTION

in our armed forces know thatthey are not forgotten. Receivingan unexpected care package oreven a letter of support bringsa great joy to a service member.

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