Although created by a group of Marines, the Club's membership is multi-service, reflecting the true nature of its purpose - to help wounded and disabled veterans of all services. Granted 501(c)(3) status in 2012, allowing donations to be tax deductible. All members are unpaid volunteers. All funds are distributed to Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and needy veterans in Texas. To us, a veteran
in need is a veteran in need, regardless of where they live in our state. The club acts as a coordinating agency, directing funds to where they can be of greatest effectiveness. This coordination function is called simply - VeteranHelp. The first contact veterans in need make is normally the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the American Legion. Often, especially in rural areas, these organizations have limited funds available. Once the organization verifies the need, it may make application for funds. The club also supports initiatives to address the critical issue of homelessness in the veteran community. We support annual Stand Downs that bring homeless veterans to a central location for much needed support. The club contributes the Fisher House, which is similar to the Ronald McDonald House, but provides the families of wounded veterans the ability to be close to their loved one during treatment. The club also contributes to the Veterans Resource Center, located just a few blocks south of the Veterans Hospital in Dallas. The VRC is a "One Stop Shop" to interview veterans and direct them to the help they need. The Center owns and operates a number of special, wheel chair equipped vans and has volunteers who pick up veterans at their home, drive them to the VA hospital, and return them. The club contributes several thousand dollars a year toward the insurance, fuel, and maintenance of these vans. The motto of the Marines says it best "SEMPER FIDELIS" (Always Faithful). Our mission is to remain faithful to the men and women who sacrificed to defend our FREEDOMS.
