DVB Raises Funds and Spirits for Local Vets and Families
Chris Eccleston, president of Delmarva Veteran Builders in Salisbury, issued a challenge to his staff a couple of weeks ago: bring in some ideas about how they could support local military veterans in the community.
“We are working while others are hurting and it important that we do what we can,” said Eccleston. “I had been trying to inspire staff with thoughts on leadership during a crisis from Jesus, Mother Theresa, from a story I was reading about WWII pilot and hero Butch O’Hare (for whom the Chicago airport is named), and Jay Deputy stepped up with a plan.”
Deputy, who is the company’s operations manager, knew the company had a list of veterans from another DVB project they host at Thanksgiving as well as a relationship with the Veterans Administration. The company also has its collective ear to the ground from projects across Delmarva that could identify non-military families in need.
“It’s a simple plan,” said Deputy. “We are raising money from within the company to fund grocery gift cards. Each week we provide one each to a veteran in need and a local family in need. Instead of showing up with generic groceries, this gives them the power to exactly what they need. We will keep going until the ‘green light’ when the state opens again.”