Wildlife Watching for Purple Heart Vets |
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Good news for Purple Heart recipients who love widlife! There is a bill making its way through the state legislature to grant Purple Heart recipients FREE access to state parks. We think it's a splendid idea! To learn more click here. Nature is healing, and we are blessed with an abundance of it here in Northern Colorado. Most of us have seen common magpies, but have you ever seen yellow-breasted magpies? We took this picture in Weld County just a few years ago.
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This Is Why We Do What We Do |
William Burke, a 47-yr-old Marine Veteran in Fort Collins, drives to his job each day in Lafayette (approximately 43 miles each way) in his 2004 Mercury Sable with over 141,000 miles. The brake system was nearing the end of life but was still drivable. He didn’t have the money to have it repaired, nor did he want to miss any more work than necessary to have it repaired. His company told him he would be transferred to Durango in southwest Colorado in March to work on a 6-month project. This elevated the urgency to get his car fixed. Catholic Charities in Fort Collins suggested he contact Qualified Listeners to see what assistance might be available. After reviewing the three estimates William provided from local automotive repair shops and determining which would be the best choice, Qualified Listeners called the service manager to discuss William’s repair project in more detail and got him a Veteran’s discount. With the financial help of five of our local community partners, we got his vehicle repaired.
Thank you to the following partners who helped us help William:
Fort Collins Elks Lodge 804
LaPorte American Legion Post 4
Fort Collins VFW Post 1781 Auxiliary
Veterans Community Project
Stillwater Ranch
Another Success Story....
When Pete Camarillo had to decide to either get his car repaired after an auto accident or pay his March rent, he chose car repair because he needed his car to keep his full-time job and have transportation for his two teenage daughters. The girls live with him. The car repair was over $1,000 out-of-pocket because Pete only has liability insurance. The HUD VASH program manager contacted Qualified Listeners for help. We facilitated a funding opportunity through our community partners and a grant from Berthoud American Legion Post 67. We were able to pay Pete's March rent. The 69-yr-old Army Veteran never missed a rent payment and has been able to provide for his family on a tight budget. "It was a tough decision because I need to keep my job and take care of my girls, but we also need a place to live," commented Pete. "I've been a single dad for years. There are many resources for single mothers, but I couldn't find any for single fathers." His final comments were, "Thank you for paying my rent. I had no idea how I could make this happen. Now I can breathe again."
“Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.”
- Helen Keller
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Qualified Listeners has become a community partner with SCHEELS All Sports in Johnstown, Colorado. The store is offering valuable coupons to Veterans and family members. Scheels recognizes our military heroes' dedication and sacrifice and their families. The organization wants to give back to the Veteran Community.
The coupon value is $10 off with a $50 purchase through 12/31/21 and is redeemable at the Johnstown location only.
All you have to do is contact us by phone or email to let us know how many coupons you would like and where we should send them.
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If you or anyone you know needs medical supplies or mobility items, you should know about a fantastic non-profit organization with locations in Loveland and Greeley. It's called Good Health Will. They receive thousands of donated new or gently used items and sell them for pennies on the dollar.
Examples of what they carry are adult and pediatric mobility devices, toilet accessories, beds, bed safety equipment, catheter items, feeding equipment, incontinence supplies, IV and infusion supplies, nutritional shakes, ostomy equipment and supplies, respiratory and sleep equipment, supplies, and much more.
The Loveland phone number is 970-624-6002, the Greeley phone number is 970-515-6935. Visit their website at www.goodhealthwill.org.
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Free Pantry Items
VFW Post 1781 Auxiliary has a surplus of pantry items free to Veterans and their families. Their inventory includes personal hygiene, non-perishable foods, and an assortment of canned goods, including several new can openers.
You can stop by the Post daily after 10 am, located at 603 Lesser Drive in Fort Collins. You will need to present DD-214 or other proof of service.
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For Veterans From Veterans |
We continue to receive donated mobility devices to pass on to other Veterans and families. The following is a listing of some of those items:
- 2 Van Lifts
- Walker with seat
- Walker without seat
- Power Scooters
- VA approved Electric Wheelchair
- External Motorized Wheelchair Lift
In search of:
- Donated Vehicles: At least every quarter, we receive a vehicle request, so we are always on the lookout for one. Would you please keep an eye out too? We need a place to keep it.
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Prostate Cancer 102
March 2021
By Greg Goettsch, Executive Director of Qualified Listeners
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I was stunned when I heard my diagnosis, and fear set in deeply. The fear of the unknown. Will this kill me? Can I survive? What are possible treatments available? Our minds are our own worst enemies, and mine took off like a rocket. I’ve since learned that prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, call me, I can likely remove some of your fears. My number is 720-600-0860. I would love to talk to you.
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Veterans enrolled in the VA Healthcare system and admitted to a non-VA emergency room or urgent care facility, can call the VA Authorization Office at 1-888-795-0773, option 1. A Veteran DOES NOT have to call this number before being admitted to the ER or urgent care but must do so within 72 hours post-admission.
If a Veteran is 100% disabled or retired from the military, and is in the Cheyenne VA Medical Center catchment area, call 307-778-7310 to check eligibility for dental benefits.
To transfer your records to the Cheyenne VA Medical Center catchment area, call 307-778-7555
If you fall and need help getting up, call your local fire department. If you lock your keys in the car, call your local fire department.
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March Progress
460 Volunteer Hours | 3,132 Miles
22 Veteran Transports
34 Listening Sessions
Facilitated rent payment for single father Army Veteran
Facilitated funding for vehicle repair for Fort Collins Veteran
Connected retired Air Force Veteran to VSO to complete DOD forms
Connected Vietnam Veteran in Missouri to local VSO for VA enrollment
Connected disabled Vietnam Veteran family to lawncare assistance
Onboarded 24 new Veterans into our system
Created 36 new cases
Ended month with 54 work-in-process cases
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What exactly do we do?
- We listen
- Provide transportation to medical appointments
- Help with mobility equipment
- Offer vetted resources for Veterans
- Help Veterans & families find more peace in their lives
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Monetary Donations:
We are always grateful for monetary donations, which allows us to continue serving Veterans and families. If you can contribute whatever amount you feel comfortable with, please click here. It’s not about donating; it’s about making a difference. We’re a 501(C)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible under our EIN 81-5381427.
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Qualified Listeners
Mailing Address:
PO Box 563
Dacono, CO 80514
Tel: 720-600-0860
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