Military Service Coalition established

TOLEDO, Ohio - A new non-profit organization, the Military Service Coalition of Northwest Ohio, is being established to serve members of the military, veterans and their families.

A group of 20-plus local military, veterans and social organizations formed the coalition that is “dedicated to utilizing our collective expertise to help improve the overall quality of life for service members and their immediate families,” according to its mission statement.

The group is awaiting approval of its application for establishment of the Military Service Coalition of Northwest Ohio as a 501c3 nonprofit from the Internal Revenue Service.

“We have started a new organization with members working together to serve our military and veterans,” said Dawn Heisler, secretary of the new coalition and director of Heroes in Action, one of the partners supporting it.

“We want to keep adding services that will motivate people who want to donate time to serve our military and veterans,” she said.

Jesse Ruiz will serve as director and Dan Contreras as associate director of the coalition. Both men formerly served in the same positions for Vets U.S., a group of veterans that helped veterans in this region.

“We’re moving forward with the coalition that includes so many people that want to help veterans including Marcy Kaptur [Rep. D-Toledo] who has supported our efforts to establish the coalition,” Contreras said. “We also have several businesses that are offering free services to veterans.”

The committee of members has been meeting for several months planning the establishment of the new coalition, Heisler said. Once approved by the IRS, the coalition will launch its new Web site and have a printed brochure available.

The group is sponsoring a chili cook-off and concert as a fundraiser Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. at the Marine Corps League, Lou Diamond/United Steel Workers Hall on Consaul Street in Toledo. Heroes in Action is a nondenominational military mission program that is staffed by volunteers and totally supported by cash and food donations For more information, go to www.toledocalvary.org/heroes_in_action.

All veterans and current military members are invited to attend the Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Nov. 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the SeaGate Centre in Downtown Toledo.

(The Toledo Free Press is a FOX Toledo News media partner)