Juniors Have Ice Cream with Liberty Manor Vets

From Julie Bedford, GFWC Temple Terrace Woman’s Club president:

The GFWC Temple Terrace Junior Woman’s Club hosted an Ice Cream Social last week at Liberty Manor in Tampa. More than a dozen veterans attended the social, along with several Juniors, to mingle and enjoy ice cream.

Liberty Manor is a non-profit organization committed to promoting the developmental and social needs of veterans who have served our country, fought for our independence, but fallen victim to homelessness. Liberty Manor helps these veterans become self-sufficient by reintegrating them into meaningful employment opportunities and providing them with fundamental basic needs.

I spoke with one of the vets for quite some time. He is living in a closet in the home because there isn't enough room for all of the men. He also has difficulty sleeping in a bed because of paranoia and post traumatic stress disorder. He said almost all of the men there suffer from PTSD.

More than the food and donations, he said what the men need most is visitors—people to talk to! I encourage the community to spend some time with these men.

They are also in need of food, clothing, bedding and pet supplies (a dog, and two cats). The Junior Woman’s Club is collecting items for the men who are ready to "graduate" from Liberty Manor to move into their own place, and start an independent life again.

For more information, visit Liberty Manor online or call 813-900-9422.

For more information about the Juniors, visit the Junior Woman’s Club online or on Facebook.