Two local veterans receive aid through Wounded Warrior Anglers Act of Kindness Emergency Fund
One Lehigh Acres veteran is still “numb from the generosity” he received from the Wounded Warrior Anglers Acts of Kindness Emergency Fund earlier this month.
“It’s just awesome,” Allen Sparks, a U.S. Air Force veteran, said. “My heart and soul goes out to you guys. I appreciate it to no end.”
Wounded Warrior Anglers Acts of Kindness Emergency Relief Fund committee member Keith Campbell said a few weeks ago Mary Jo Sparks reached out to him when her husband Allen went missing. He said Allen had suffered a stroke when he was found, which left him in the hospital for a few days.
“Mary Jo had reached out to me again saying she was behind on financial bills and didn’t know where to turn to as far as help,” Campbell said, adding that he guided them to a couple of veteran organizations, including Wounded Warrior Anglers.
He also presented the Sparks with a $2,500 check Tuesday, May 5, to help them financially.
“It feels good as long as we can get them back on the right page and right direction,” Campbell said. “I hope they can maintain it and move forward in the right direction.”
Allen served in the Air Force from 1987 to 1989 before being honorably discharged with a service related injury. The veteran reportedly suffers from many health related issues, including amnesia caused by PTSD. Due to his medical condition, Allen is not able to work, which leaves his wife generating the income to pay the bills.
“It’s like a hand of God that came through,” Allen said of the donation. “It was a beautiful thing. Keith being a long-time friend and the people of the Wounded Warriors were awesome. They are great people. It’s a major blessing for that to happen. I don’t know what I would do without an organization like that that would step up.”
The donation, he said, will help with his recovery, as well as the stress that comes with worrying about paying bills.
“We were able to take a step forward and continue on with strong strides,” Allen said.
He said he has been in the area for 22 years working in the towing business, as well as delivering pizza. Over the years he has grown to know the people of the community, often times helping people broken down on the side of the road.
“People say that you are blessed 10 times over. It seems to be coming back around. I appreciate the people of Lee County that are able to reach out like this,” he said.
Allen said he looks forward to helping the organization, just like it helped him.
“All they have to do is pick up the phone and call and I will be there with bells on,” he said, adding that he offers a hearty gratitude to the organization. “I love them to death and I have some good new friends.”
The Acts of Kindness Emergency Relief Fund also helped Cape Coral resident Joe Boccuzzi’s brother John late last month. He said his brother, a disabled veteran who served during the Gulf War era, is looking to relocate from Ohio to Florida for work.
“I didn’t hesitate to ask any questions,” Campbell said. “If it is going to help them get a job and turn things around for them . . . let’s do it.”
Wounded Warrior Anglers provided $250 to the Boccuzzi family to help pay for John’s flight so he could attend the interviews.
“He wants to work somewhere year round,” Joe said.
During the winter months, John, who works in a labor union for a commercial road construction crew, is laid off because of the Ohio winters.
“He has been with the same company for years. The winters are hard and he is getting older and wants to be able to work year round instead of seven or eight months a year,” Joe said.
He heard about Wounded Warrior Anglers during a motorcycle run that was benefiting the organization. After a conversation with organization president and founder Dave Souders, he decided to become a member because he too is a veteran.
“There’s no looking back,” Joe said. “It’s a great group of people.”
The Acts of Kindness Emergency Relief Fund became a part of the organization Oct. 14, 2014. The fund was created to provide appropriate relief to eligible veterans or disabled veterans who experience a qualifying event or emergency.