Local organization helping the military and their families

Local organization helping the military and their families

WPTV

By Tania Rogers

08.27.10

Neal Bellinger is the founder of Shopping for Soldiers needs. The two year old organization provides Palm Beach County injured soldiers and homeless veterans items that they need. They are placed in gift baskets and distributed, this time at the Fisher House at the West Palm Beach V-A Medical Center. The home is a place for families to stay while their loved ones are receiving medical care at the V-A. Neal said, "We do the baskets, we do Publix gift cards, we give rides, we do whatever is needed, whatever they need we try to provide for them. Can we always do it no, but we help as much as we can. We have three or four different programs, during the course of the year that we try to build towards our holiday program, gift basket program that we can hand out and pack these baskets." Neal said the gift baskets have every day needs from food to gift cards.

Theresa Ringel who manages the Fisher House told us Shopping for Soldiers is helpful. "He comes and shows support for the families, brings items that are needed by the families, he has come several times and prepared meals, which is very important. Food is very comforting and when someone comes in and makes a really nice home baked meal for a family that they can sit down and eat, it's very appreciative. Very positive and they are always able to adapt because every family that comes in here has different needs so it's very helpful."

Neal hopes for more community support. "We would like people to know that there is a tremendous need for people to get involved to try to make a difference, even if it's just to provide toothpaste, even if it's just to volunteer some time, just any way that they can help us to provide these needed items for these soldiers would be a God send."

Helping the men and women who fight for our freedom.