Veterans in Florida deliver turkeys, hope to vets in need

TAMPA, Fla. — A Thanksgiving repast with a turkey and each the trimming is going to veterans, delivered by veterans.

But the idiosyncratic getting it isn’t your emblematic vet. They’re idiosyncratic who has recovered themselves successful occupation with the law. And U.S. Marine seasoned Lenny Woods said they are idiosyncratic who needs compassion and help.

"We don’t get the close medicine we request erstwhile we get retired of the military, we don’t get determination guidance we request oregon the assistance that we need," said Woods, a mentor with the Hillsborough County Veterans Treatment Court.

That’s wherever the Veterans Treatment Court comes in. Instead of jailhouse time, veterans who perpetrate low-level offenses tin spell done this specialty tribunal that provides attraction from the V.A. and enactment from mentors similar DJ Reyes. Reyes has been mentoring Michael, a navy veteran, for much than 2 years.

"Checking connected him, encouraging him, making definite helium stays connected his treatments," said Reyes.

Michael is 1 of astir 2 twelve vets getting a afloat Thanksgiving repast and acquisition cards to bargain immoderate other food. Idlewild Baptist Church has donated boxes of nutrient and toiletries to each vet successful the program.

"We emotion our veterans. We emotion the work they’ve done for america connected our behalf, and we privation to fto them cognize however overmuch they’re loved by God and loved by america arsenic well," said Yerusha Bunag, section ngo manager with Idlewild Baptist Church.

Hillsborough County’s Veterans Treatment Court is 1 of the astir palmy VTC's successful the nation, with much than 900 veterans graduating from the program. And it's each acknowledgment to the mentor veterans who are devoted to making definite nary worker is near behind.

"Even though we lone present the vacation meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's each time that we amusement them that we care," said Reyes.

Wendi Lane astatine WFTS archetypal reported this story.