Coast Professional Helps Struggling Military Family Put Food On Table at Holidays

Nationwide fundraising efforts help America’s vets meet different needs, including the most basic

Collingswood, NJ: Last year, generous ARM industry companies across the country participated in the sixth annual No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraiser, which runs from September 11th through Veterans Day, November 11th every year and benefits veterans through ARMing Heroes (www.armingheroes.org), the collection industry’s charity for military veterans. Hundreds of unemployed, underemployed, and disabled veterans apply for grants each year, all hoping for help to fill the gap between income and expenses for needs that are largely unmet by government programs or even by other military charities. Today, ARMing Heroes shared a remarkable story of how that support makes a direct, positive impact on our country’s military veterans facing financial difficulties.

United States Army Sergeant David Powell dedicated nearly 15 years of his life to serving his country, including two tours of duty in Iraq in an imminent danger pay area, earning no less than a dozen awards, medals, and citations along the way. When a service-connected disability led to his separation from the Army in 2014, David returned home to his wife and five children facing unemployment, limited income, and mounting expenses, struggling not only to pay his rent, but also to provide food for his family. Desperate for help, David applied for a grant from ARMing Heroes, and in December of last year, just before the holidays, he learned that his application was approved. David and his family were immediately awarded a grocery store gift card to put food on the table, as well as a grant to help pay the family’s rent.

Coast Professional, Inc. (www.coastprofessional.com) is one of many companies across the nation that participated in last year’s fundraising effort. As they have done in years past, Coast made a generous corporate donation to the charity, continuing its commitment to supporting vets and their families. Coast currently employs more than a dozen vets, representing approximately six percent of its workforce.

Everett Stagg, CFO of Coast Professional and a Navy veteran himself, commented on the company’s continued support of ARMing Heroes. “As a veteran, I’m extremely grateful for the service that the brave men and women of our military have given to our country. The Coast family came together to honor and show appreciation for those who have served and is pleased to participate in this fundraiser each year.” Coast CEO Brian Davis added, “We are dedicated to the advancement of resources available to veterans and have consistently demonstrated our commitment to increasing the opportunities available to these brave women and men through ARMing Heroes. Coast is proud to support ARMing Heroes and the members of our military.”

David Powell, upon hearing the good news of his grant award, expressed his sincere gratitude to the ARMing Heroes organization:

“We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done for our family. This has been a hard year and we really needed the relief due the challenges of looking for a job. Your help as put a big smile on my family’s face because they saw a little sigh of relief on my face. From the food to the help with paying the rent. It is very appreciated by us. Have a great Holiday and a Merry Christmas.”

Thanks to generous donors within the ARM industry, the ARMing Heroes grant-making program is able to build momentum every year. Since its inception in 2009, hundreds of desperate vets and their families have received help when they needed it most. Throughout 2016, ARMing Heroes plans to spotlight additional grant recipients and how the charity was able to help ease their financial burdens. Stories of past grant recipients remind us all how rewarding this program can be.

The charity’s flagship No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive runs from September 11th through Veterans Day, November 11th every year, however tax-deductible donations are accepted at any time online at www.armingheroes.org and via mail to PO Box 353, Collingswood, NJ 08108, payable to ARMing Heroes. Pledges may be made to info@armingheroes.org.  Any amounts pledged or donated now will be applied to the 2016 drive.

About Coast Professional, Inc.

Coast Professional has concentrated on being the most effective collection agency in educational receivables since 1976. They focus on the collection of government and higher education debt, including Federal and non-Federal student loans, accounts receivables, tuition and fees, housing charges, and almost any other debt referred by clients. They currently provide collection services to over 200 government institutions, colleges, universities, and guaranty agencies across the nation, and are a top vendor for the U.S. Department of Education. Its business is founded on treating consumers with respect and professionalism, partnering with consumers to address their obligations while protecting the relationship they have with clients. Learn more at www.coastprofessional.com.

About ARMing Heroes

ARMing Heroes was founded and began operating in March, 2009.  The organization’s mission is to serve the needs of U.S. military veterans, including their spouse and children. ARMing Heroes fills a charitable niche by linking people identified with employment, credit, and financial counseling needs with the accounts receivable management industry, an industry uniquely poised to help in these areas.  Persons interested in volunteering their time and others interested in applying for benefits or pledging other forms of support are encouraged to contact the organization at www.armingheroes.org.

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