VFW Steps in for Military Family
Tabitha Pendergrass already had a lot on her mind when her kitchen went up in flames. She was worried about her husband’s first deployment to Iraq, and the grease fire in her kitchen just made life even more complicated.
Her babysitter was cooking tater tots on the stovetop and left to check on Pendergrass five-year-old son when the fire started. She called me at work and right away I knew something was wrong, Pendergrass recalled. Of course, I was freaking out, but my son and everyone else was okay, so I stayed at work to get a cool head before I came to see the damage. But Pendergrass problems didn't end there. The owner of the house didn't want to fix the kitchen because a claim would raise the premiums on all the other houses he owns, she explained. I didn't have renter's insurance, and I didn't have the money for the damages.
My husband, Van Pendergrass, had deployed, which made money tight already. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the fire, but the kitchen was completely unusable. Pendergrass felt like she was facing her problems alone. Her husband of seven years was overseas, and she had to take care of her son.
I was so stressed out because I thought I was going to have to move because of the fire, she said. I don't have any family living here in Texas, which made everything worse. Thankfully, a military resource group told her to contact VFW Unmet Needs. With nothing to lose, Pendergrass called the number. Luckily, the VFW was able to help.
Once I got an estimate, the VFW paid the contractors $1,500 to fix the damages, she said.I can't express the relief I had knowing that my kitchen would be in working order again. Pendergrass is happy that she didn't have to face the problems of deployment by herself.
It really is a shame that the military doesn't provide more support for families in this kind of situation, she said.
But I am grateful that the VFW has stepped up to support our troops and the military
Unmet Needs Helps Family Keep Home
Spc. Jeffrey Mahaffey was ready to serve when the Army National Guard called him to active duty in Iraq, but his pay was not. There was a delay in receiving full military pay and Mahaffey was no longer receiving civilian wages. With mounting bills, Mahaffey's wife, Laura, immediately started a second job. But that was still not enough.
The couple soon fell seriously behind on their mortgage payments and feared they would lose their house. "Our home is, and has been for the last couple of years, one of the only steady things that my three daughters had to hold on to," Mahaffey shared. The Mahaffeys were put in contact with VFW Department of Texas assistant adjutant Dan West who helped them apply for an emergency VFW Unmet Needs grant.
VFW quickly sprang to action. "For us, VFW was our saving grace. We faced a possible foreclosure on our home when my husband returned from Iraq. We need more organizations such as VFW out there to support our Reservists and their families!" Laura Mahaffey exclaimed. The Mahaffeys were awarded a grant to help cover their mortgage payment. With the help of VFW Unmet Needs, the Mahaffeys are current on their bills and no longer fear losing their home.
"VFW Unmet Needs has created peace of mind for me, but that does not even begin to explain the relief I feel," Mahaffey said. "Having programs like VFW Unmet Needs shows someone does care about the hardship and troubles that we, as Reserve servicemembers, face and have to endure, when as such, there are very limited resources and options for us. The VFW treats us all the same," Mahaffey concluded.
Unmet Needs Grant Brings Mother to Son's Bedside
As a dedicated soldier, Peter Smith prided himself on his strength and endurance. But after experiencing shortness of breath and passing out on a military march in 2003, he feared something was very wrong.
Military doctors found a minimal heart murmur, a diagnosis that brought relief to Peter, only 23 years old at the time. But the relief was short-lived. He began feeling chest pains in 2006 while on tour in Bosnia. Upon returning home to the United States, a follow-up echocardiogram revealed the minimal heart murmur had become severe. The Army Spec. needed surgery immediately.
The military arranged for Peter to undergo mitral valve repair surgery at the renowned Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.
It was a real blow, shared Dawn Smith, Peter's mother. We thought the heart issue was minimal, and then this news. A single mother of ten living on nurse's wages, Dawn knew there was no way she could cover the travel to and lodging. But the thought of her son enduring major heart surgery alone was devastating. The military liaison at Ft. Hood suggested she turn to VFW.
Dan West, Military Assistance Program (MAP) chairman, VFW Department of Texas, didn't hesitate to act. VFW Unmet Needs awarded $1,500 to cover the travel and lodging.
I was shocked at the grant, Dawn continued. I knew VFW was a great organization, but I had no idea they offered help like this.I don't know what I would have done without it. Dawn spent 11 days in Cleveland by Peter's side. She emotionally recounts the day of surgery.
He woke up with all the tubes still in and uttered, Mom, I couldn't have gotten through this without you, she shared. Thankfully, the surgery was a complete success, and I was just so grateful to be there.
Today, Peter is in rehabilitation and hopes to resume a full military career.