Shannon (Founder) is currently a Therapist  that works in two Programs that Assist Veterans Transition from Homelessness to Independent Living.  Many Veterans come into the Program with only 1 pair of Socks! The 'Sock Em' Sock Drive was created to Support these Honorable Heroes/ Sheroes on this Journey.  Please donate NEW Socks, Coats, Blankets, Sweatshirts, Dunkin Donut Cards, Supportive Message or Cups of Camaraderie and Help This Country's Veterans Get Back on Their Feet and Into Their Families!

 
What is Thank-A-Vet:

- We Deliver Gratitude to the Individuals who have made Sacrifices for Our Freedom

- We Host and Attend Events that Honor Veterans and their   Loved  Ones                                                                                                             

- We Provide Posters, Cards and Coffee Cups, giving people the opportunity to Express their Appreciation

- We raise Awareness of the needs of Veterans that are building their road Home

- We Bring Gifts of Gratitude to Local Programs that assist this often overlooked population

- We Sell shirts, bags, stickers, patches, coins and coffee that raise funds to provide these services which provides work for Veterans

- We Share ‘Cups of Camaraderie’ in Veteran Coffee Clubs strengthening support networks and combating isolation, depression, and various physical challenges

- We Advertise Appreciation for Service to Our Country, without Saying a Word

- We Assist Veterans with Volunteering in the Community (visiting nursing homes and working with troubled youth) to continue their mission to Keeping America strong

- We Explore Historical Sites to Celebrate the Beauty of Our Freedom and to remind us of its Inordinate Cost

- We Encourage service Projects in the community (schools and businesses) to raise socks, food and toiletries in unique ways

-  We Give out FREE H/H (Hugs or Handshakes) to all Military Members, past or present and their family members

- We Believe People are Differently Able, NOT Disable

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Thank-A-Vet Serves Philadelphia @ Broad Street Ministries', 'Breaking Bread'! 
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'Get Skills to Work' -  Department of Defense has partnered up with big companies like Boeing and GE to train Veterans for Jobs
http://www.getskillstowork.org/
Goal = 100,000 Veterans trained and working by 2015!! 
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 Most Recent Statistics

• Veterans have a 12-30% unemployment rate
• 10-18% have PTSD
• 10% of 18 and older population are Veterans
• 14% of 18 and older Homeless population are Veterans
• 67,495 homeless Veterans in a night
• 145,000 Veterans experienced homelessness for at least one night in a year
• Veterans have more education then the Civilian population
• Post 9/11 Veterans have more trouble re-intigrating into society then any other generation
• Post 9/11 Veterans have a higher survival rate from more extreme injuries then any other generation  
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Thank You, Bourse Building, For Helping Us Thank Veterans 
on World Gratitude Day 2012 
   
    
    Thanks, Babe (Normandy Beach Veteran)

MISSION : Possible
Assisting Veterans and their Families',  
One 'Fun'draiser at a Time!

Providing opportunities for people to show their gratitude to the men and women who have fought to Obtain and Maintain America's Freedom.

  It is quite shocking to know that  EVERY NIGHT Approximately 200,000 VETERANS ARE HOMELESS!!!!   Thanks to the hard work and commitment of Veteran Organizations, this number has Dropped To 50,000.

Thank-A-Vet wants to know what your Freedom is worth to you and wants to know what you are willing to do to combat this growing Epidemic... 
   
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"Thank You"





Saying 'Thank You" is Easy!!


Saying "Thank You" is FUN!!




Thanking Tuskegee AirMen
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'Riding to Thank those who Served for Us' 
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The C3 Project
'Covering the Country with Care'
Please send us Patriotic Fabric Pieces or draw your own Patriotic Picture on Fabric and we will embroider them and sew them together. We will give quilts to American Veterans and Families that need some TLC!
Thank-A-Vet
PO Box 36715
Philadelphia, PA 19107

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'Feed Our Vets' in Philadelphia
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Welcome Home PA Veterans Checklist
http://www.dmva.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/veterans_affairs/7179/returning_veteran_checklist/1043942
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Happy 4th of July!
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Stand Down 
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Veteran Coffee Club @ The Bourse
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(My Favorite Veteran, Richard Drake [Dad] and his service deer)
Thank You!

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 QUIT SMOKING NOW     http://www.ucanquit2.org/ 
or call 800-784-8669
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(We Celebrate Veterans and their Loved Ones)
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We Salute Our Veterans- Free AARP Driver Safety Course
call 866-238-0294 or www.aarp.org/veterans (promo code= VETERANS)
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Fire Commissioner Ayers signs a Thank you card to 'Thank-A-Vet'

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(We Provide Veterans with Linkage to Services)

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Joining Forces-
Support for Service Members and Spouces
http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces
Write a 'Thank You Note' to Service People and their families!
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(We visit Nursing Homes to Thank WWII Veterans)

VA VRAP- Veterans Retraining Assistance Program
(Excellent New Job Resource through the VA/ DOL)
http://gibill.va.gov/benefits/other_programs/vrap_email_signup.html

The VA and the Department of Labor are working together to assist those Veterans that need JOBS!

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College Prep courses for Veterans
@ Univ. Of Penn, Upward Bound
14 week evening classes 
215-898-6892 www.vpul.upenn.edu/aap/vub/

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9 month Paid Internship for Veterans Project H.O.M.E.
Ed @ 215-232-7272 or edspeedling@projecthome.org



(We Sign 'Thank You for Our Freedom' Signs)



(And Deliver them to Awesome Veterans)

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Internship Program for Veterans
Tip of the Arrow Foundation
James @ 301-674-9428 or jamesclarksr1@us.army.mil

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Moving Forward Training Programs
215-684-0393
for different Certification Program
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Veteran Support Group @ YorkHouse
5325 Old York Rd, Philly 19141 M-W 6am- 11am; Thurs 7am- 11am
vsgyorkhouse@gmail.com
888-349-8884


(We Celebrate Freedom and Honor Our Flag)
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Stories from the Trenches:
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A 50 year old Veteran stated, "It Feels Good to Feel Good!"  This Veteran shared with me that it has taken him a long time to get to his "happy place" and tried many ways of changing his life.  "You can't be afraid to try something new to get something better."  Thanks for the inspiration, B!!

A 90 year old Veteran, who had stormed Normandy Beach in World War II and had been involved in 4 other conflicts reminded me that the REAL HEROES are 6 feet underground.  I Thanked Him Anyway!!

A 53 year old Veteran shared that he had built an emotional wall around himself that blocked out all the 'Good' of the world, but a few months ago he made a decision to knock down that wall and build one that blocked out the 'Bad'.  "I used to dread the mornings because I felt like there was no way anything would get better.  I am now excited to wake up in the morning and experience the blessings of each day!"  Thanks, B for reminding me about the Gift of each sunrise!
 
A 59 year old Veteran shared that having your health is the most important thing and that family is the second.  He agreed that family relationships are the most difficult, but they are worth it.  Thank you B! 

A 52 year old Veteran shared that he had to decide to be in a good attitude before they leave their house every morning.

 
A 62 year old Veteran shared about when he was working as a guard at a prison and there was one inmate that was getting picked on by other inmates and other guards, to the point that the inmate soiled himself.  This Veteran told me that he got fired from that job  because he let the inmate take a shower and gave him a clean pair of clothing.  He said, "Ms. Drake, you can never judge what another man has been through in his life just because of where he's at."  Thank you for the story S. and allowing me to walk 5 minutes in your shoes! 

A 63 year old Veteran shared a story about getting on a Septa bus and seeing an empty seat next to a 15 year old young lady who was black.  She said in an angry tone, "Keep walking, Old Man!" and threw her bag onto the empty seat.  That little girl had NO idea what I have been through so she could sit in that seat."  He told me about shaking hands with John F. Kennedy and his brother, Bobby,  the many marches he went on with Martin Luther King and living as a Black Panther.  I keep thinking about the great history lessons that 15 year old girl missed out on.  Let's never forget that REAL Heroes wear plain clothing!  Thank you, W, for sharing this story and journey with me!

A 50 year old Veteran shared that Whitney Houston definately went to Heaven because her voice Brought Hope to So Many People!  Thank you P. for reminding me that she was a human being with the Voice of an Angel!

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FREE   LUNCH 
EVERY THURSDAY 11:30-3:00
Breaking Bread at Broad Street Ministries
315 South Broad Street, Philadelphia) 
Veteran Benefit Services, Counseling, Art Therapy, Clothing and Personal Care ItemsNo Affiliation Necessary
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If you are Interested in Donating Money or Time or Attending One of the Events Listed Below, please contact us at  drake@thankavet.us
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We Helped  U.S. Marine Veteran, 
Mr. Santos Lopez go to the
2012 National Veterans Golden Ages Games
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Thank-A-Vet is taking Donations and Volunteers to help a Korean War Veteran who is Blind and Physically Disabled living in West Philadelphia to fix his home and make it safe. drake@thankavet.us
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 Cheer on Anthony A. LoBue (69 yearold Vietnam Vet) as he walks to
"Support Our Veterans"
www.tonythevet.org
'All The Way'
Facts About Homeless Veterans:

- 200,000 Veterans Are Homeless on Any Given Night

- 500,000 Veterans will experience Homelessness throughout the Year

 - Veterans are twice as likely to be Homeless then the Civilian Population

- Being at War has taught Military People to live in harsh environments

- Tolerance and Toughness helps our Military Survive in the Field

- Social Isolation and Lack of Support after Discharge are the Biggest Factors Related to Veteran Homelessness

STATS:
 45% have some Form Mental Illnes
67% served three or more year
33% were stationed in a war zone
89% received an honorable discharge
(Veterans Administration Study of 2006)
http://www.military.com/benefits/content/veteran-benefits/homeless-veterans-programs.html


Statistics About OEF/ OIF
http://icasualties.org/OEF/Index.aspx

 
Thank-A-Vet
P.O. Box 36715
Philadelphia, PA 19107


Thank You!!