Members of MOAA's Luke Chapter in Sun City West, near Luke AFB in Arizona, work hard to apply for and receive Community Outreach Grants from The MOAA Foundation to help local veterans with housing and food needs, along with emergency crisis relief.

'I see a ray of hope in their faces, that a whirlwind of tragedy has been averted and a new day of light and joy is before them.'

The chapter disburses the money through its Community Fund to keep veterans housed, said Col. Mike Kramer, USAFR (Ret), chapter secretary.

"Typically, there truly is a financial emergency, and fast response is critically important," he said. This includes paying late rent and fees or a late mortgage when an eviction is threatened or ongoing; paying for late utilities; and paying for car repairs to help the veteran get to work.

"We do this faster than most aid organizations," Kramer said. "Typically bills are paid three to four days after the grant application is received."

Along with the Community Outreach Grants, chapter members donate money and time to make the program a success, he said.

Col. Beth Johnson, USA (Ret), a Community Fund director, said asking for help is not easy, especially for those in the military.

"Their requests give me an opportunity to make a positive difference for them, and that difference is providing hope for their situation, which to them appears impossible," she said.

Linda Wolverton, chapter surviving spouse liaison, said one veteran was relocating to Arizona when his moving truck broke down. The veteran had to put his belongings in storage for a week while waiting for a new truck to arrive, which used a lot the money he needed to live in Arizona. The chapter was able to pay those storage costs.

The chapter's Community Fund President Lt. Col. Ed McAvoy, USAR (Ret), said he enjoys hearing veterans' stories after receiving financial assistance.

"I see a ray of hope in their faces, that a whirlwind of tragedy has been averted and a new day of light and joy is before them," he said.