The Veterans Support Group, Inc. is a 501c3 organization with a mission to provide “free assistance to veterans, their surviving spouses and dependent children of all branches of service.”
Much of the funding for the support group comes from charitable donations or fundraisers hosted within the community and is given right back to the veterans they serve.
“All of our money is used toward the veterans. We’ll do anything we can for a veteran. If they walk in our door and they say they need something, we do anything we can to try to help them,” said Jim Dunn, Chief Operations Officer for Veterans Support Group, Inc.
There are roughly 12 dedicated staff and volunteers that work throughout the week to provide many services to area veterans and their families.
“No one in our organization gets paid. The volunteers are very dedicated. They are 100 percent behind what we’re doing,” said Dunn. “They are veterans. They are there for one reason only, because they want to help veterans.”
Some of the free services offered by the Veterans Support Group, Inc. are:
- Completion of VA forms for compensation and benefits
- Research and collecting evidence to submit a VA compensation packet
- Request medical records
- Weekly support group meetings
- Assisting spouses with filing for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Referrals to Partner Organizations
- Requesting copies of DD 214 or DD215
- Assist with the creation of electronic VA accounts (i.e. eBenefits, myhealthevet)
- Assist with burn pit registry, Agent Orange registry, etc.,
- Assist with National Cemetery information
- Conduct professional workshops
- Provide a food pantry and clothes closet
The support group also takes part in community activities, participating in local events and speaking to area groups and organizations to promote awareness of their programs and services.
“We take part in a lot of activities in the community. We assist in the Clean Up McDonough Day. We do a lot of speaking engagements out in the community too,” said Dunn.
At the moment, the Veterans Support Group, Inc. is preparing for its upcoming fundraiser, an “All You Can Eat & Drink Breakfast” in April.
The “All You Can Eat & Drink Breakfast” on Saturday, April 18 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, located at 91 Hunters Chase in McDonough.
To purchase tickets to the breakfast, contact Master Sergeant (Ret.) Baisden at 678-210-1911 or visit www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f49aaa62da4f94-vsgbreakfast.
For more information about the Veterans Support Group, Inc. visit their website at www.vetsg.org or their Facebook page, Veterans Support Group, Inc.
The Veterans Support Group, Inc. is located at 32 Jonesboro Street in McDonough.
