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The Veterans Council of Collier County is the umbrella organization of the 19 veterans groups that exist in Collier County, Florida.
 

The Veterans Council is comprised of representatives from each group and meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

We bring all groups together for networking and fellowship in an otherwise fragmented community.  We each have our allegiances, but are fighting the same battle.  United we stand.

Meetings are open to all veterans.

For additional information call 239.478.7441

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To all our friends and Members of the Collier County Veterans Council,

Welcome to our second quarter newsletter of 2019. As always, I would like to take a moment to wish you and your families the very best.

Habitat for Humanity of Collier County is presently building 44 homes to help well-qualified, low-income families who have lived or worked in Collier County for at least a year, have a minimum income of $24,000 a year, are U.S. Citizens or legal residents and are willing to partner with Habitat Collier for an interest- free, affordable home mortgage. Habitat Collier has asked us all for help to find veterans who may need an affordable home. I am requesting for you to please keep a close watch for a veteran who may be searching for an affordable home. Time and time again, we watch families lose their battle to get an affordable home and end up homeless. With the help of Habitat for Humanity and all of us diligently looking out for our fellow veterans, veteran families and veteran friends, we can help avoid that outcome. In fact, there are several local veterans who have been able to take advantage of this opportunity already. 

Our Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse and skilled group of individuals who have a lot to offer both our civilian and veteran communities. They are working hard as a team to bring the local veteran community relevant news, events, information and support. Please make it your personal promise to attend some of our monthly Veteran’s Council meetings at City Hall. The meetings are always scheduled for the third Wednesday a month at 7 pm. Our meetings truly are rich with information to share with the veteran community. 

The CCVC is known across Collier County’s veteran and civilian circles alike for putting forth the utmost respect and pride when orchestrating veteran holiday events such as Memorial Day Ceremony, National Flag Day ceremony, 4th of July Parade and Veterans Day Ceremony. As the president of the Council, I do listen to your critiques whether positive or negative. I especially appreciate when folks need to share a negative critique, that they also offer a suggestion and recommendation for remedying the issue at hand. 

On that note, during the months of April, May, and October the CCVC board members will be planning upcoming veteran events during the monthly meetings.  While we have had countless positive emails and comments concerning our veteran events in 2018, there have been some concerns shared about how we might improve the ceremonies going forward.  If you would like to contribute to the planning process with any concerns, comments, suggestions or even if you would like to contribute in some way, please consider attending the CCVC meetings to respectfully share your information with the Board of Directors for their consideration.  These events are great opportunities for veteran outreach as well as an important way to partner with the local community to foster relationships, build support and to foster patriotism in the younger generations, especially young children because they are the future of our beautiful country. 

Now, let’s discuss some very sensitive, very serious and incredibly prevalent issues among today’s veterans. If you know someone who suffers from PTSD, suicidal thoughts/tendencies, or who is currently experiencing or is at risk for becoming homeless, I can guarantee that we will give you the information and the tools to find the proper direction for them to get the help they need. Please don’t pass by a person who needs help thinking “Why should I get involved?” instead, please ask yourself; “What’s stopping me from helping?” I know from experience that the pride of a veteran, or even a civilian in need, can make it extremely hard to ask for help. I do not want any person to be afraid to reach out for help.  So, let’s please keep an eye out for those in need. We might just make all the difference in the world to someone. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an epidemic that is sweeping our country. PTSD does not discriminate.  It is an issue for active duty, veterans, reservists and family members. We want to help end the stigma surrounding PTSD and provide resources for the men and women suffering from this invisible wound.  By addressing the whole family unit, we can help end the war that people face on a daily basis. There are many organizations locally that are also working very hard to make life worth living.  If anyone has thoughts of suicide, or has a family member in crisis, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1.  You can also text 838255 or go on the website at www.veteranscrisisline.net to chat.  

We need to be there for one another, and we vow to never leave anyone behind.

As we now have started 2019, I am looking forward to what it will bring the veteran community.

With warm regards,

William Carl, CCVC President

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The next CCVC meeting will be June 19th at 7pm.  Location is American Legion Hardee R. Mills Post 135, 2296 Tamiami Trail East, Naples FL, 34112. Veterans Council meetings will be held there for the months of June and July while the City of Naples performs renovations on our regular meeting chamber.

The Power of Attitude:

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.  A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.  It is a catalyst...a spark that creates extraordinary results."



We now have a donate button for our organization.  Donations are always greatly appreciated!  100% of the donations go right back out into our community.  This allows us to continue to hold events in the county and help veterans whenever we can.  We thank you for your continued support.

Collier County Veterans Council is a 501(c)(3)  Our EIN is 82-1947585