Veterans Connection volunteers serve other vets

United by the bond of service to their country, BJC Veterans Connection group volunteers spent a recent Saturday morning giving back to others and proving that their commitment to service didn’t end with their service in uniform.

In only four hours, 35 BJC Veterans Connection volunteers, along with friends and family, had a tremendous impact on Missouri Veterans Endeavor (MOVE-STL), an organization that provides housing to 40 veterans who were recently homeless or at risk of homelessness and their dependents.

MOVE-STL provides 21 apartments and, even more importantly, a path toward rebuilding the hope residents need to achieve a better future.

This was the third year of the BJC Veterans Connection’s volunteer support for MOVE-STL.

The volunteers’ accomplishments included:

• 2 acres of property cleared of leaves, sticks and trash
• 2,100 feet of rain gutters cleaned out
• 800 square feet of home exterior painted
• 850 square feet of mulch spread to make a sitting area
• 700 feet of home exteriors power washed
• 18 greeting cards created by veterans that were given to patients at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to brighten their day

The BJC veterans, their families and friends also benefitted from the morning of service. Events such as this one sponsored by the BJC Veterans Connection group build camaraderie among BJC veterans while reinvigorating the sense of purpose that comes from serving the country, through continued service with BJC.

In addition to the annual MOVE-STL volunteer project and the annual Veterans Day celebration, other BJC Veterans Connection initiatives include a recent collection and distribution of goods for new mothers at Jefferson Barracks and a guest speaker from WWII presenting to the group.

For more information about the BJC Veterans Connection, visit https://www.bjc.org/VeteransConnection.