$5,000 Grant to Aid Veteran Homelessness

Veterans from Indian River Colony Club donate to make a difference

(VIERA, FL) August 16, 2022 – No veteran should be without a place to call home. In Central Florida, the National Veterans Homeless Support organization is taking aim at veteran homelessness — and the Indian River Colony Club Foundation has stepped up to help. The Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) Foundation, the charitable arm of the 55+ Viera golf community of military veterans, recently provided a grant of $5,000 to help ease veteran homelessness. The summer donation benefits the National Veterans Homeless Support, a registered 501 C 3 not-for-profit organization whose singular mission is to eliminate homelessness among veterans in Central Florida. Veterans Administration researchers have found that veterans have many of the same major risk factors for homelessness as other adults, particularly substance abuse, severe mental illness, and low income. NVHS tackles homelessness directly where it exists, finding clients through street level outreach. The group provides homeless vets with the basics to ensure their survival, while building rapport and connecting them to a network of organizations– rapidly moving them from homeless to housed. The Indian River Colony Club is largely comprised of military veterans, well known for their volunteerism and philanthropy. The ongoing practice of donating to an assortment of veterans causes and charities embody the community motto of “service to those who served.” For more information about Indian River Colony Club, contact us.

Jerry Gill, IRCC Foundation President, was impressed with the accomplishments of National Veterans Homeless Support, and their ongoing efforts to find housing for homeless vets and to proactively keep at-risk veterans from becoming homeless.

“Members of our Foundation have firsthand knowledge of the effectiveness of NVHS and were gratified when the Foundation decided to award this grant,” said Gill. “Our donation will go directly to support homeless or low-income veterans and their families in critical need in Brevard County.”

Foundation Board Member, Brian Whalen had additional kudos for the organization, as over 91% of funds donated to NVHS directly support their programs.

“Their Gold GuideStar rating and their perfect “Give with Confidence Rating” on Charity Navigator, reinforced our decision to approve their grant request,” said Whalen. “It’s important to our donors that we help organizations that not only assist veterans, but who also have a track record as good stewards.”

The Indian River Colony Club community of nearly 800 homes is a dedicated supporter of veterans causes. In 2019, they were presented with the Outstanding Military Service Award by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, for their ongoing efforts on behalf of veterans.

Viera’s very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club is known as “The Place Patriots Call Home.” A haven for military veterans, the par-72 private golf course community has a patriotic culture and country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over. Residents have dedicated their lives to military service and continue their efforts in retirement, with a host of ongoing efforts for the betterment of Brevard County veterans and the regional military community.

The Indian River Colony Club Foundation represents the generous donors of Indian River Colony Club, under the leadership of Foundation Board Chairman and retired U.S. Army Colonel, Jerry Gill and Military Services Organization Committee Chair, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Brian Whalen. The purpose of the IRCC Foundation is to provide grants for educational, medical, emergency, and other charitable purposes to employees and residents of IRCC and to organizations that assist individuals who are current or former members of the Uniformed Services of the United States. In 2022 alone, the IRCC Foundation has provided almost $13,000 in grants to employees, along with $10,000 to veteran organizations.