According to Chuck Wyre, there are more than 40,000 veterans in Lake County.
“Most of them are embarrassed to ask for help when they need it,” Chuck says. “Often there’s a pride issue with a lot of them.”
Veterans of The Cross (VOTC) has been assisting veterans since 2016. A ministry of the Cross Church, their mission is to locate and serve all veterans and their families through outreach, fellowship and prayer. A $5,000 gift from the Cross Church in Mount Dora started the ministry.
“We operate primarily from contributions,” says Chuck, who retired as a family therapist from Orlando and currently serves as Director of Veterans of the Cross.
Volunteers for VOTC do small home repair and landscaping projects at no cost to the veteran. In addition, the group supports individual needs. VOTC takes a busload of veterans and their spouses to Orlando for a Veterans Day Celebration on November 5.
“We have between five and twelve volunteers helping at a time,” Chuck says. “We do whatever it takes to make veterans more comfortable in their own home.”
The organization hosted teas for the surviving spouses of military veterans. This special morning was meant to give widows and widowers (both women and men) a chance to connect with one another. There is also an annual spring picnic for veterans and their spouses.
“We really have a passion for these men and women,” Chuck explains. “It’s tough getting the word out about what VOTC does and how we can help. We invite younger veterans to join our organization and help us learn what their particular needs are, for themselves and for their families.”
For more information, email Chuck or Anne Wyre at cwyre123@gmail.com.
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