Local Business Helps Veterans Transition Into Permanent Housing
Hockessin, Del. – A local postal service, copy center and mail box business is working to meet the needs of veterans regionally with a goal of serving 40,000 homeless veterans on a national scale one bedroom set at a time through Beds4Vets, a local nonprofit that thanks homeless veterans for their service by helping them get the essentials they need.
Rick Martin, an Army Veteran who owns Postal Connections of Hockessin, co-founded Beds4Vets with Zachary Bagdon, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, and a member of the U.S. Naval Order, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Military Officer Association of America. Christopher Cascio is the Treasurer and Secretary of Beds4Vets and provides a great deal of knowledge about non-profit governance and developing fundraising and marketing strategies. In addition, Justin Czerwinski, Marine Corp veteran, now retired from the Beds4Vets board co-founded the organization.
“The impact we have on these veterans’ lives makes such a difference and helps reduce the risk of reverting back to a life of homelessness,” said Rick Martin. “Keeping veterans off the streets requires more than a roof, it requires the veteran to build out a social network and develop a sense of pride in their home. Those are hard things to do when you don’t have a bed to sleep in, a chair to sit on or the kitchenware necessary to prepare food.”
Beds4Vets was founded to help fill the gaps in existing government programs. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) assist homeless veterans in finding permanent housing, but they lack the funds to furnish these spaces. Beds4Vets works with the Veterans Affairs to provide recently housed veterans with household items like beds, kitchen tables, linens and cooking utensils.
Beds4Vets is filling the need by making an empty apartment or house feel more like a home, providing new household items to newly housed veterans.
“As a veteran myself, I’m excited to be able to provide some sort of support through our Beds4Vets organization that is 100 percent volunteer based,” added Martin. “As a possible result of deployment or other life events, veterans can often face homelessness and our hope is that Beds4Vets helps recognize our veterans’ great service and sacrifice by helping them settle into safe, comfortable housing.”
About Beds4Vets
Founded in 2018, Beds4Vets is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that benefits veterans as they transition from homelessness to living in their own apartment or house. Beds4Vets works with the local Veterans Affairs social workers to identify veterans who are ready to transition to permanent housing. Beds4Vets then provides a check list of items they can provide and the social workers reviews with the veteran to see what is needed. Upon receipt of the checklist, Beds4Vets purchases the items through the many vendors they work with to meet the veteran’s needs. These items are delivered directly to the veteran by UPS and FedEx to respect the privacy of the individual.
Beds4Vets enables veterans to improve their physical and psychological condition by increasing their social interaction, improving their sense of well-being, and giving them a sense of belonging.
About Postal Connections/iSOLD It
Founded in 1995, Postal Connections is a national franchise chain of postal, shipping and business service stores. C. “Andy” Thompson and Fred Morache, Co-Directors & Franchisors, purchased the Postal Connections franchise in 2007 and later purchased iSOLD It. Both brands are part of Blue Stamp Franchise Company, Inc. headquartered in Frisco, TX. The franchise is the largest retail chain offering third party services to help customers sell their items on eBay, Amazon and other specialty ecommerce internet sites. A customized software system enables franchisees to successfully sell the vast majority of items listed and serve buyers with fast shipping receiving their purchased items in the advertised condition.
To learn more about Postal Connections/iSOLD It services, visit www.postalconnections.com or www.i-soldit.com.
