Christie was handed the keys to a refurbished 2008 Nissan Quest minivan.
When U.S. Army veteran Brandi Christie and her children were invited to a family-friendly event last November at Cottreall-Warner American Legion Post 942 in Webster, N.Y., she thought she was just going to watch her favorite band perform. Sons of The American Legion Squadron 942 had more planned for her and her family.
Christie was handed the keys to a refurbished 2008 Nissan Quest minivan.
The donation was made possible through a relationship between Squadron 942 and Operation Build Up – a nonprofit based in Conesus, N.Y., that is dedicated to preventing veteran homelessness and suicides by providing veterans in the state with basic needs.
"We want to help veterans in their darkest moments," said Justin Cogswell, founder and CEO of Operation Build Up. "When they trip and fall, we as a country should work to help them up."
One of the main ways Operation Build Up supports veterans in need is by purchasing (or receiving in donations) used cars. They fix them up, make them road-worthy, then give them to veterans in need. They typically rebuild three to four vehicles a month, spending upward of $800 and hundreds of volunteer hours on each one. Their mission over the next year is to provide 150 veterans in New York with vehicles and home furnishings.
The Sons began working with Operation Build Up when Squadron 942 member Bill VerHagen invited Cogswell to a squadron meeting to talk about the organization. Squadron 942 Commander Nate Burdick said, "We wrote a $1,000 check right there. Then everyone went home and donated more."
Auxiliary Unit 942 also donated $1,000 to Operation Build Up.
Burdick said working hand-in-hand with Operation Build Up fits perfectly with the mission of the Sons of The American Legion.
"The Sons are directly trying to touch any veteran in any way we can to support them," he said. "It’s veterans doing work for veterans. It was a perfect storm for what we are trying to do."
The vehicle presentation was especially timely for Christie, who is in the Army reserves. She had been missing the required Army drills due to her family being without a vehicle.
In addition to the minivan, the squadron handed Christie a check for $500 to pay for registration and insurance fees.
Christie’s four young children weren’t forgotten, either. As they scrambled into the back seats of their "new" minivan, her daughter and three sons each discovered a stuffed dog and other presents awaiting them.
After the surprise of receiving the minivan and finally accepting that she wasn’t dreaming, Christie had a question. True to the selfless nature of all veterans, she asked through happy tears, "Is there something we can do to pay you back?"
"No, you don’t need to do anything," Cogswell said. "This is America right here."
Learn more about Operation Build Up at www.operationbuildup.com.
- Sons