Fundraiser at Preston VFW collects $12,000 for housing for homeless vets

Preston - A gathering at the local VFW post raised awareness about the plight of homeless veterans and more than $12,000 to support a transitional housing project in New London.

"I never thought we would raise this much. I wanted to get attention for the cause and, hopefully, spur public support," said David Anderson, a member of the Freedom Riders USA in Waterford and a retired Navy senior chief.

Anderson proposed the fund-raiser after he learned that the New London Homeless Hospitality Center planned to purchase and refurbish a four-family house on Mountain Avenue to give homeless veterans a place to live while they navigate government programs, find work and look for permanent housing.

A grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs covers 65 percent of the project cost; the center needs to raise about $70,000 through donations.

Veterans, veterans' organizations, people from the hospitality center, veteran and public safety motorcycle riders, and volunteers helped organize the benefit pasta dinner and dance Friday at the Preston VFW Post 9452.

"Homelessness is a regional problem. It's not just a New London or a Waterford problem to solve," said Ronald S. Steed, a retired Navy captain who is on the board for the center. "And this was a regional response."

Robert Strohl, past commander of the Waterford VFW, said military organizations can become territorial but the benefit "broke down barriers."

"This allowed the clubs to network and get back into what our intentions and purposes are as organizations," said Strohl, who works with Anderson at the Waterford Police Department and helped plan the benefit.

Active-duty service members from the Naval Submarine Base helped out and local politicians spoke about the cause.

"Transitional housing is the key to ending homelessness," said state Sen. Andrew Maynard, D-Stonington. "It's helping people get back on their feet, and no one deserves a better shot at that than the men and women who served our country."

Capt. Marc W. Denno, commanding officer of the base, thanked the audience of close to 300 people and said that "right here in Connecticut emanates a lot of support for our veterans."

The center has purchased the house and begun the renovations. Steed said the benefit raised more than expected in financial donations, as well as in-kind contributions from local businesses, and showed homeless veterans "that there is a group in this region that cares deeply about them."

The center still needs about $40,000 in donations so the first veterans can move in on June 1. Many volunteers from the benefit are interested in continuing to support the house and donations are still coming in, Anderson said.

Donations can also be made online at the HHC Web site, www.nlhhc.org.

The Homeless Hospitality Center is a nonprofit, board-governed charity.

j.grogan@theday.com