MIAMI, Fla. (December 22, 2020) — The South Florida Red Cross, in partnership with the Bruce W. Carter Miami VAMC Women Veterans Clinic and Miami Heat’s Meyers Leonard and wife Elle, are spreading holiday cheer by delivering gifts to the children of female veterans.
Due to the generous donation provided by Meyers and Elle Leonard, the Red Cross and Miami VA are able to give back to veterans and their children this holiday season. In a year where many families have needed comfort and relief, it felt more important than ever for the Red Cross and its partners to deliver hope and happiness to veterans and their families.
On Monday morning, Heidi O’Sheehan, Red Cross Director of Service to the Armed Forces and International Services, delivered gifts for 40 families, representing over 100 children, to the HUD-VASH Program at the Miami VA.
HUD-VASH is a collaborative program between HUD and VA that combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help Veterans who are homeless, and their families, find and sustain permanent housing. Among VA homeless continuum of care programs, HUD-VASH enrolls the largest number and largest percentage of Veterans who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness.
“The American Red Cross is incredibly grateful to partner with Meyers and Elle Leonard and the Miami VA Women Veterans Clinic to bring holiday joy to many children and families that are part of the Miami VA HUD-VASH program,” said Heidi O’Sheehan, Director of Service to the Armed Forces and International Services. “Many veterans experience a smooth transition to civilian life, others, for a variety of reasons, most of them service related, face challenges making that transition and need a little help. The role of the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Department is to bring care and comfort to service members, veterans, and military families but we can’t do that important work without the generous support of people like Meyers and Elle who understand that we, as Americans, owe a lifelong debt of gratitude to anyone who has served in our Armed Forces.”
This year, due to COVID-19, the Red Cross suspended their in-person volunteer activities but continued to support the VA’s initiatives virtually by the generous donations provided by the community.
“The Miami VA Women Veterans Program proudly serves over 6,700 women veterans across our 9 locations. Throughout this difficult year, many of our veterans have struggled, and in the true spirit of togetherness and the holidays, we greatly appreciate the American Red Cross’ tremendous generosity and support to our women veterans,” said Michelle Zielenski, Women Veterans Program Manager with the Miami VA. “Honoring our women veterans, by supporting their families, is truly a special way to acknowledge their service and sacrifice. The gifts provided will help our veterans have a happy holiday season!”
Every day, the Red Cross supports military members, veterans, and their families across the country and around the world. The Red Cross provides resources for veterans or members of the armed forces in need of assistance. To learn more, please call 877-272-7337 or download the American Red Cross Hero Care App at redcross.org/apps.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida and visit us on Facebook and Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
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