Help at Hand for Ocean County Veterans

All this month, Townsquare Media’s community outreach arm, Townsquare Cares, is celebrating Veterans’ Day by honoring our military members and their families. On last week's special Veterans' Day edition of Townsquare Tonight, we welcomed members of Toms River VFW Post 8885 and Vetwork, Inc., President Leonard Mueller.

Vetwork, Inc., is a Forked River-based organization dedicated to providing assistance for veterans in need. President Leonard Mueller says one of the biggest problems facing the community is homelessness, so his organization keeps a block of rooms on standby for temporary housing.

"We're just that first initial step for that veteran, because then we can get them into the clinics, we can get him the help he needs," Mueller said. "If they need to go to places like Vet Haven (transitional housing), get a bed or up to Lyons (VA clinic) to get some help, we arrange all that, too."

VetWork also works with the Food Bank of Ocean and Monmouth Counties and operates its own food bank to help veterans and their families. Mueller says they couldn't do it without help.

"I have to say thanks to the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Ocean County Veterans' Service Bureau..." Mueller said. "They provide about 50% of the funding for Vetwork. The rest of the funding comes from donations from the VFW, American Legion, HUD, FEMA, we get some grants like from OceanFirst."

If you would like to make a donation to Vetwork, Inc., click here.