The Help For Vets, Inc. held the monthly meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 11:00 a.m. at the Main Street United Methodist Church in Dillon.
Kris “Turtle” Tourtellotti of Myrtle Beach was the guest speaker.
Turtle joined the Army at the age of seventeen.
While serving he received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnam War Medal.
He was nominated and received the “Person of the Year” in Rochester, New York.
While in Rochester he started a Veterans Resource Center that could serve 16 families and 45 veterans with a place to stay
He is the founder and president of the Welcome Home Veterans Center located at Longs, S.C. that opened in 2009. There is also a Resource Center that helps with claims for the veterans.
Of course, Turtle has a lot of volunteer help and even a partner who is a Vietnam and Gulf War veteran.
Initially, the first month’s rent for the center was made when he passed a helmet in a bar. A Rotarian was also there who invited Turtle to the next Rotary meeting and at that meeting the Rotarians paid the second month’s rent on the newly formed center in Longs.
Turtle presented the Help For Vets, Inc. with one path and direction to follow.
The group at Longs does not receive any grants but operates on donations and volunteer help from the community. However, Turtle informed our group of at least three grants that possibly would be available.
He also presented the manner in which a veteran was given aid by his group. He explained the policies and practices his organization used to assist the veterans.
Tourtellotti’s program was most informative and helpful to Help For Vets, Inc.
The mission statement of Help For Vets, Inc. is “to provide housing for homeless veterans through involvement with the local community and businesses as well as other government and national organizations.
In addition, to provide optimal levels of healthcare, education, and training that will enable the veterans to enter into society at a level they have earned and deserved.”
The local Help For Vets, Inc. seeks volunteers and financial assistance for our program.
If you’re interested in volunteering or making a donation, please contact Dan Gruszka, 843-774-0526; Johnnie Daniels, 843-230-4653; or any member of the Help for Vets, Inc.
You are invited to the next meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 7:00 p.m., at the Main Street United Methodist Church.
