Joel Whyms' Van Modification Fund

Joel Whyms is a 55-year old U.S. Army Veteran and a known community supporter in Lowndes County.   He meritoriously served in the U.S. Army as a Paratrooper and Infantryman; he trained with the 7th Special Forces Group, the 53rd Ranger Battalion and as a Tomb Guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, as well as participating on the U.S. Army Drill Team.  In addition to these military duties, he was a Presidential Escort for former Presidents Carter and Reagan, garnering White House, Secret, and Top Secret clearances.  After leaving the work force, he retired with his family to Valdosta.  For the last 5 years he has served as PTO President at W.G. Nunn Elementary.  Joel has mentored several students at the school and serves as a liaison between the educators and parents in order to foster a wonderful academic experience for the students & future leaders, working hand-in-hand with the Principal, Staff and Educators to achieve this goal!!  Joel is the WM of his Masonic Lodge with Joshua 90 International F&M Masons of Valdosta. Under his leadership, the focus remains to help those in the community by sponsoring events such as back-to - school supply giveaways, street adoption with the "Keep Valdosta Clean Project", fundraisers, and Wellness/Health seminars.  Joel is a member of Serenity Christian Church and he has been blessed with the responsibility of being Building Superintendant, serving on the Men's Usher Board, and is the Assistant Supervisor for the church's Vacation Bible School.  Joel's existence is based on community service and bettering the lives, health and education of the children and families of the Valdosta Community. 

Those who interact daily with Joel know the Veteran amputee by his distinctive walking staff, motorized scooter and his red Ford Windstar van.  Joel's first amputation occurred in December 2010, and despite this handicap, Joel only deemed it a temporary setback to his daily community duties.  He was soon back to his normal routine and has not slowed down since then.  On January 26, 2015, Joel underwent a second amputation of his remaining leg, which necessitates the conversion of his van to hand controls.  Because the U.S. Department of Defense does not deem this second surgery military-related, Veteran's Affairs will not pay for this much-needed conversion.  Therefore, we are reaching out to the community that Joel has so doggedly supported for the past several years for help raising the money to pay for the conversion. 

We are reaching out and asking all who have graciously visited his site to donate to Joel's fund to convert his van and get him back on the road.  Not only does the Valdosta and Lowndes County communities need Joel's ongoing support and activism, but Joel needs to continue to serve those among whom he lives.  Please feel free to share this page with your friends and family via your social media (Facebook, Twitter) , local radio and television stations and philanthropies.