This past week we heard from Lt Col Gary Bryant with the Mission United. Mission United is a United Way initiative that uses the existing United Way 211 number dedicated to help local United States active military, veterans, and their families navigate and access needed services. It is a free and confidential service.
Our state has the third-largest veteran population in the nation with over 1.5 million veterans calling Florida home. The United Way is working in conjunction with a local network of providers, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay to provide a helpline where veterans can receive both emotional support and referrals to community resources. By calling the Florida Veterans Support Line at 1-844-MYFLVET (693-5838), or 2-1-1, veterans are able to talk with someone who can help them through the difficulties of transitioning back to civilian life. Mission United helps address the unique needs of veterans by connecting them to a coordinated network of community partners. They empower veterans and their families to lead productive lives in their communities with support services including job training and opportunities, legal resources, financial empowerment, emotional support provided by trained professionals and more. 211 is available 24/7 in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Veterans can also connect with 211 by text or through the 211.org website. When a veteran calls 211, the call is routed to a local or regional calling center that matches their needs with available resources. Veterans will be connected to resources specific to their geographic location.
The local Mission United of Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties program is sponsored in part by the Military Officers Association of America, the Captiva Island Crab Races, The Place on First, and the Far-Mar Fund, a fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.
Gary Bryant Lieutenant Colonel – U.S. Army Retired Gary Bryant served on active duty as an Army Aviator leading and commanding Army Aviation units around the world. He served in Headquarters, US Central Command in the joint force command center for General Norman Schwarzkopf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After retiring from active duty, Gary served as the officer in charge of the Junior ROTC program for the School District of Lee County. Gary has two sons who both served as Army Officers and completed combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary will be holding hybrid meetings both on Zoom and in person at the Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., the meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. For more information about Rotary, please visit sanibelrotary.org. All are welcome!
