New to this year’s celebrations, we have joined forces with an organization that goes by the name of Operation Build Up. They are a non profit organization based out of Avon, NY. They are a team of former marines that come together and rebuild vehicles for veterans in need. 

Their mission is “to have an impact on the 22 veteran suicides per day and homelessness statistics by surprising veterans with the basic items needed for survival in a civilian lifestyle. Our goal over the next year is to surprise over 150 veterans with vehicles and complete home furnishings all across New York state!” Operation Build Up has not only given cars away but this past Christmas they gave a veteran and his family a home to live in rent free for four months. OBU came together as a team and collected donations from near and far and was able to make a dream come true for this veteran during a time of need. 

Excerpt from CEO and Founder of Operation Build Up, Justin Cogswell:

Many people do not realize how difficult of an adjustment it can be to move from military life into civilian life for many veterans.  Most of our heroic veterans return home from service with just enough personal belongings to fit in their vehicles. Many also have skill-sets that are strictly combat related making the transition into civilian life a challenge.  Veterans are brave, dedicated, selfless people by nature. 

Anyone that has met a hardened military veteran understands that they are the last people in the world to ask friends and family for help, or express their troubles. They are expected to be able to figure it out because “He or she is a Marine!”, “Or a Soldier!”….  This attitude adds more pressure to our already overwhelmed veterans.  Yes there are many programs offering needed assistance, most of which have requirements based upon percentage of disability, discharge classifications, discharge dates, and many additional criteria that further complicate assistance.

Operation Build Up is here to change these  circumstances.  Regardless of the criteria.  We will help every veteran that we can with the necessary tools for survival in a civilian atmosphere, young and old. Whether you have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Vietnam, or any other conflict; we will do all we can to come to your aid. 

Imagine if we could have an Operation Clean Out To Build Up warehouse in every major city!  By giving restored vehicles and furniture we give them a comfort, sense of belonging, and the tools necessary to create stable lives. The effect on Veteran’s homelessness and suicide statistics would be dramatic.

We Won’t Leave You Behind, Our Team Strives To Simplify The Process Of Getting Resources To Our Veterans.

Operation Build Up will be joining us this year in surprising one of our local veterans with a car of their very own right here in Waterloo.