Purple Heart Recipient Gets a Grant, and Hope, from ARM Vets Charity

ARMing Heroes, the collection industry’s charity for military veterans, today shared the remarkable story of Thomas Hosfelt, a decorated military veteran who dedicated 24 years of his life to serving his country. Hosfelt’s tenure in the United States Army and National Guard began in 1986 and included five tours of duty overseas, with deployments to Panama and Iraq. In 2009, he fought his final battle in Mosul, Iraq, where he and several other Army soldiers came under attack from a pair of rogue Iraqi policeman. The two entered a room in which Thomas and his comrades were sitting, and simply opened fire. Hosfelt returned fire, killing both Iraqis, but was wounded. As a result of those wounds, Hosfelt was awarded the Purple Heart.

Unfortunately, his wounds left Hosfelt with a traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic migraines, hearing loss, and other service-related disabilities, resulting in a 90% disability rating and prompting his medical retirement in 2013. He has been struggling to support himself ever since. When his financial burden ultimately became overwhelming and insurmountable, Thomas turned to ARMing Heroes for help, and, in December of 2013, his grant application was approved. Upon hearing the news of his grant award, Hosfelt had this to say:

“The grant awarded to me by ARMing Heroes gives me hope as I head into the New Year, and will enable me to keep my head above water until I can once again support myself. I respect that these grants are a hand-up, not a hand out. I’m overwhelmed by the willingness of others to provide emotional and financial support to those who have served. I feel valued that my sacrifice made a difference somehow, to someone.”

As Memorial Day approaches, now is the perfect time to commemorate the holiday and consider how you will honor America’s military veterans who have given so much of themselves.  The 2014 grant application process is set to begin in July.  Potential donors, as well as hopeful grant applicants, are already showing interest. ARMing Heroes anticipates 2014 will be its biggest year since its inception in 2009, so the need for donations is greater than ever.

The charity’s flagship No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive runs from September 11^th through Veterans Day, November 11^th every year, however tax-deductible donations are accepted at any time online at www.armingheroes.org and via mail to PO Box 353, Collingswood, NJ 08108, payable to ARMing Heroes. Pledges may be made to info@armingheroes.org.  Any amounts pledged or donated now will be applied to the 2014 drive.

About ARMing Heroes

ARMing Heroes was founded and began operating in March, 2009.  The organization’s mission is to serve the needs of U.S. military veterans, including their spouse and children. ARMing Heroes fills a charitable niche by linking people identified with employment, credit, and financial counseling needs with the accounts receivable management industry, an industry uniquely poised to help in these areas.  Persons interested in volunteering their time and others interested in applying for benefits or pledging other forms of support are encouraged to contact the organization at www.armingheroes.org.

What Can I Do Right Now to Help?

• Visit www.armingheroes.org and donate now.
• Friend us and post this article to your page on Facebook.
• Tweet about this article on Twitter.
• Join our group on LinkedIn, the ARMing Heroes Veterans Charity Supporter / Assistance Center.
• Comment on this article online and ask us to contact you.
• Forward this article via email to your key contacts.
• Print this article and fax it to your local congressional office and ask them to post our website on theirs as a resource for vets.