Our Mission
Our mission is to provide resources that support programs aimed at ending Veteran homelessness and combating the invisible wounds of war. With 20+ suicides a day according to the VA, we must support our troops returning with PTSD to end this needless loss. Who among us would want to send their son or daughter to serve only to return home to an unrecognizable, self medicated, endless future.
Our History
Our charity began with the goal to end veteran homelessness of those struggling after returning from serving our country. Our young men and women return home and are forced to adapt back into society after experiencing major trauma. To think of our sons and daughters not having the support and help they need to understand the after effects of what they have been through is not acceptable. This is more commonly known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which are the invisible wounds of war. While we are not the experts on PTSD, Grateful Americans come together to raise funds for Veteran programs like the PTSD Foundation of America at Camp Hope.
Since we began in 2016, we have donated over $2.3 million dollars to benefit the PTSD Foundation of America (ptsdusa.org). This amazing organization serves Veterans and their families in a positive, healing environment with peer to peer support. Currently this program consists of 14 Chapters across the nation supporting 200 Warrior Groups with hundreds in attendance each week.
Involvement with local charities, businesses and other Veteran organizations is key to healing and spreading the word that resources are available. Grateful Americans Charity embraces our troops, Veterans and their families as they seek the rewarding and fulfilling lives they so richly deserve.
GAC Today
While it is not possible to cure PTSD, learning to manage day to day activities and return to a normal productive life is achievable. We believe that with your support and of others like you we can stop the high suicide rate of our Veterans and stand behind those that have stood behind us while serving our country.
What does your involvement and giving support?
The feeling of someone being homeless, depressed or thinking of suicide is heart wrenching. By supporting organizations like the PTSD Foundation of America the money goes directly to support veterans through difficult times. The concept of veterans helping other veterans or peer to peer recovery has an amazing success rate. To date of the hundreds of veterans that have attended the inhouse program at Camp Hope, all of been successful recovery stories.
How Does Giving Help?
Currently PTSD Foundation of American has 14 Chapters across the country. Each of these groups host weekly warrior meetings, provide counseling in group and individually when needed and provide counseling for the families to support healing. When able to afford, meals are often prepared to encourage attendance and support open conversation. These meetings can be very intense and often turning points to recovery while still able to live at home and remaining employed.
Is There Still A Need?
Absolutely! 20+ Veterans and active Military end their lives every single day during and after serving to support our country. The VA works to support them but it is just not enough at the true level of care that is needed. At Camp Hope the program is designed for combat veterans that have lost just about everything if not everything. The peer to peer support and program requirements helps the warrior identify what the triggers are and brings the PTSD issues to the forefront. After months of support and brotherhood the veterans find ways to cope and heal. The veteran pays for nothing while at Camp Hope and serves all branches of the military and all wars including Korea and Vietnam.
Executive Board of Directors:
- Debbie Sulzer – President, VP Francis Property Management
- Steve Bush – Chairman of the Borad, Vice President
- Roger Camp – Board Member, CEO Camp Construction
- Paula Forshee– Vice President, CEO Catalyst Property Solutions
- Kevin Kral – Vice President
- Larry LaGrone – Board Advisor
- Dustin Dean – Board Member, - President Crestmark Construction Services
- Todd Wright – Board Member, President Fidus Construction
- David Stone - Board Member, President American Fire Systems
- Candis Mohr - Secretary, AAA Plumbers
- Michelle Pirritano – Treasurer, Fannie Mae
- Tom Schmidt – Legal Counsel, Schmidt Law Firm
Advisory Board Members:
- Angela Duronio
- Mike Koch
- Matt Phillips
- Les Bird
- Dan Kenny
- David Lindley
- Arrie Colca
- Michelle Pahl
- Karen Nelsen
- Andrea Carmona
- Heather Ping
- Mindy Price
- Derek Steele
- Clark Gregg
- Ryan Weis
- Lauren Hudler
- Blasie Spitaleri
- Stacie Ngo
- Jimmy Wright
- Rita Karpel
- Rob Levin
- Kirk Tate
- Jeff Patton
- Bob Michaelis
- Scott Suttle
- Steve Pumper
- Amy Sogga
- Amanda Kelly
- Lauren Scruggs