Southern Crescent Veterans Services, Inc., a local nonprofit organization that “provides various services for the welfare of all veterans,” is working to assist a veteran named Jimmy Ball, whose home received significant damage during a fire that took place on June 17.

  Ball, a 73 year-old Vietnam veteran from McKinney, Texas, did not have homeowners insurance to repair his home, so he began reaching out to various organizations appealing for help.

  However, he was denied assistance due to the “type and extent of the damage” to his home.

  The fire had destroyed roughly 33 percent of his home, significantly damaging the main bedroom, bathroom, and closet.

  Through the American Red Cross and United Way, Ball’s story made its way to Georgia in an email sent to Master Sergeant (Ret.) Patricia Baisden, the Vice President of Operations for Southern Crescent Veterans Services, Inc. and McDonough resident.

  When Baisden received notice of the urgent need in Texas, she immediately jumped into action and began to think of ways to raise funds within Henry County.

  “With our nonprofit organization, we call ourselves a nonprofit of people. We are here to serve and be a servant,” said Baisden. “We don’t allow territorial restrictions to not give our hearts to someone that comes to us in need.”

  Since the onset of COVID-19, Southern Crescent Veterans Services, Inc. has seen a 95% decrease in donations resulting in their inability to pay for the repairs themselves.

  “If we had the funds, we would have just hired the contractor and made the repairs on our own,” she said. “But, due to COVID-19, all of our funding has been limited in regards to donations. So then that’s when I came up with the idea of doing Bingo to try to help raise funds.”

  The fundraiser, Family Bingo Night, is scheduled to take place for the next 10 weeks on Monday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. at Southern Fusion Dining LLC in Locust Grove.

  The cost to participate is $10 per five game packet. A Bingo marker is $1.

  Only the first 50 people are allowed inside the building due to COVID-19 restrictions.

  Social distancing will be enforced and masks are required to be worn inside.

  With the Bingo nights, Baisden is hoping to raise at least $15,000 to assist in the beginning stages of repair needed for Ball’s home.

  “Based on what I’ve seen from the photos, it looks like it’s going to be a $35,000 plus project. But if we can at least get it put into a safe condition, it will give us a chance for us to try to find other agencies or organizations willing to make the remainder of the repairs,” she said.

  Ball is currently living in a portion of the home, but with hurricane and tornado season around the corner, urgent repairs are necessary, expressed Baisden.

  “He is still living in the home because he has nowhere else to go. He’s on a fixed income,” said Baisden. “He’s living in the unsafe conditions and that’s why it’s urgent, on our part, to try to help him because tornado season is here. Hurricane season is here. Hot weather is here. Bad rain is coming. So we are trying to help as fast as we can.”

  For those that are unable to attend Bingo, Baisden encourages members of the community to help spread the word about the Bingo nights and to donate, if able.

  “I do understand that we are in dire straits in regards to funding, but you can help us out by at least spreading the word or letting other people know about the event so that they can help,” she said. “For those who can, please give. For those who can’t, we understand. Don’t beat yourself up over it. There will come a time that you will be able to give back to someone else that’s in need. But always have a heart of giving and being compassionate to others, even with the stressful times we are going through.”

  In regard to the assistance provided by Southern Crescent Veterans Services Inc. and the Henry County community, Ball shared that it is a “surprise,” and that he tips his hat to those that are able to donate to help him make the much needed repairs to his home.

  “We don’t have the words to express the gratitude,” said Greg Williams, a friend of Ball.

  Southern Crescent Veterans Services Inc. is based mainly in Clayton, Fayette, Henry, South Fulton and South DeKalb counties but also operates nationwide.

  For more information about Southern Crescent Veterans Services Inc. or to make a donation, visit www.southerncrescentveteranservicesinc.org or call Master Sergeant Baisden at 678-210-1911. Southern Fusion Dining LLC is located at 656 Peeksville Road in Locust Grove.