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On February 4th, 2017, Jennifer Perito posted a plea for help on Nevada County Peeps Facebook Page. Initially, she was asking for help obtaining gravel for repairing her driveway. She told briefly how her husband, Mike, was a Vietnam Veteran who has Multiple Myeloma Cancer. He was recently denied a VA Claim for compensation. When Mike was diagnosed with cancer, he had to quit he job, he simply couldn’t physically or mentally work. Jennifer had to quit her job as well, shortly after, when Mike started going through his chemotherapy, to be his primary caregiver. Their income was drastically reduced.
A group of several local Veteran Organizations and Support Organizations were brought in to discuss how to help Mike and Jenny. Paula Grogan-Onescu or Blue Star Moms, and her daughter Erica Denke went to meet Mike and Jenny to discuss all their needs. William Buck, of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2655 and the President of the Nevada County All Veteran Stand Down Board, set up an appointment to meet Mike and Jenny and start the appeal process to fight the VA denial of Mike’s claim, as Multiple Myeloma is caused by exposure to Agent Orange. Tim Sheridan of the American Legion Riders and Sons of American Legion went down and did an estimate on the amount of gravel needed to repair the Perito’s driveway.
After all the house visits, Paula, Erica, Will and Tim found that not only do Mike and Jenny need help with the driveway, but they have fallen into a financial hardship situation. Their entire savings has been depleted as they have attempted to fix issue with their home, so they could sell it. They ran out of savings, and still have various issues around the house that need to be fixed, such as a toilet upstairs that leaks into the downstairs. The driveway repair is a safety necessity, as they fear that in an emergency, an ambulance could become stuck in the mud at the turn around point. They have fallen 3 months behind on their mortgage.
When first posted, several wonderful residents of Nevada County volunteered their time, or monetary donations, to help Mike and Jenny. Collectively, Paula, Erica, Tim, Will, and the entire Stand Down Board, decided to make a GoFundMe, with a goal to help bring Mike and Jenny relief. Any money donated to the GoFundMe will be deposited to the NCAV Stand Down bank account, into a sub account for Mike and Jenny; they will get every penny. In addition, Will has started the paperwork to appeal the VA Rating Decision, requesting an expedite due to potential homelessness, and is submitting it to our Congressman, Doug LaMafla in person during the annual VFW Legislative Conference in Washington DC the first week of March for help. In addition, Will submitted a grant request with the VFW National Unmet Needs Program, asking for financial relief for Mike and Jenny, but there won’t be a decision until at the latest, March 14th, 2017.
Mike served aboard the USS America (CVA-66) in the Tonkin Gulf, at Yankee Station, from April 1970-November 1970. During his time, there, he flew to the mainland, to Danang, and Saigon, to repair radios that were needed in relaying information needed to complete his duties aboard the aircraft carrier, among other reasons. Mike didn’t receive the best welcome home, as we know was true of Vietnam Veterans. I myself am a Veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, and I know that a big part of the warm welcome home, and support my generation receives, is because of what my Vietnam Veteran Brethren went through, and their vow to never let it happen again. Mike worked his whole adult life, never asking for help. When I sat with him, his beautiful wife Jenny, and his loyal, best friend Denny, I could see how pained he was asking for help. I implore you, PLEASE, lets show this Vietnam Veteran how kind, loving, and supportive we Nevada County Residents are. Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated, and you will receive a tax receipt from the NCAV Stand Down. You can also offer donations of time by contacting William Buck, Paula Grogan-Onescu, and Erica Denke. Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.
A group of several local Veteran Organizations and Support Organizations were brought in to discuss how to help Mike and Jenny. Paula Grogan-Onescu or Blue Star Moms, and her daughter Erica Denke went to meet Mike and Jenny to discuss all their needs. William Buck, of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2655 and the President of the Nevada County All Veteran Stand Down Board, set up an appointment to meet Mike and Jenny and start the appeal process to fight the VA denial of Mike’s claim, as Multiple Myeloma is caused by exposure to Agent Orange. Tim Sheridan of the American Legion Riders and Sons of American Legion went down and did an estimate on the amount of gravel needed to repair the Perito’s driveway.
After all the house visits, Paula, Erica, Will and Tim found that not only do Mike and Jenny need help with the driveway, but they have fallen into a financial hardship situation. Their entire savings has been depleted as they have attempted to fix issue with their home, so they could sell it. They ran out of savings, and still have various issues around the house that need to be fixed, such as a toilet upstairs that leaks into the downstairs. The driveway repair is a safety necessity, as they fear that in an emergency, an ambulance could become stuck in the mud at the turn around point. They have fallen 3 months behind on their mortgage.
When first posted, several wonderful residents of Nevada County volunteered their time, or monetary donations, to help Mike and Jenny. Collectively, Paula, Erica, Tim, Will, and the entire Stand Down Board, decided to make a GoFundMe, with a goal to help bring Mike and Jenny relief. Any money donated to the GoFundMe will be deposited to the NCAV Stand Down bank account, into a sub account for Mike and Jenny; they will get every penny. In addition, Will has started the paperwork to appeal the VA Rating Decision, requesting an expedite due to potential homelessness, and is submitting it to our Congressman, Doug LaMafla in person during the annual VFW Legislative Conference in Washington DC the first week of March for help. In addition, Will submitted a grant request with the VFW National Unmet Needs Program, asking for financial relief for Mike and Jenny, but there won’t be a decision until at the latest, March 14th, 2017.
Mike served aboard the USS America (CVA-66) in the Tonkin Gulf, at Yankee Station, from April 1970-November 1970. During his time, there, he flew to the mainland, to Danang, and Saigon, to repair radios that were needed in relaying information needed to complete his duties aboard the aircraft carrier, among other reasons. Mike didn’t receive the best welcome home, as we know was true of Vietnam Veterans. I myself am a Veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, and I know that a big part of the warm welcome home, and support my generation receives, is because of what my Vietnam Veteran Brethren went through, and their vow to never let it happen again. Mike worked his whole adult life, never asking for help. When I sat with him, his beautiful wife Jenny, and his loyal, best friend Denny, I could see how pained he was asking for help. I implore you, PLEASE, lets show this Vietnam Veteran how kind, loving, and supportive we Nevada County Residents are. Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated, and you will receive a tax receipt from the NCAV Stand Down. You can also offer donations of time by contacting William Buck, Paula Grogan-Onescu, and Erica Denke. Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.