“Saint” Helps Homeless Vets Out of Cold
Jan 11, 2010
by Amanda Evans
TITUSVILLE—He’s been nicknamed Saint George among veterans. But George Taylor knows he was just like them.
He was a veteran who found himself homeless and living in the woods.
As president of the National Veterans Homeless Support Inc., it’s now his mission to serve his brothers and sisters of war. Taylor founded the group 17 years ago. He says there are more than 4,000 homeless veterans living all across Central Florida.
“It’s really important that we come together,” Taylor said. “We do this daily, but when the weather drops, it’s so important to get them out of here.”
On Sunday, Saint George took the veterans out of their campgrounds and brought them to a hotel for a few nights to make that happen.
“They’ve given us a break from this cold weather and some of us probably wouldn’t have survived it,” said veteran Mike Peterson.
An entire hotel room was full of donations, but the group says it barely puts a dent in the problem. There are more than 800 homeless veterans living in Brevard County.
The incoming Senate president’s wife Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos is trying to find ways government can step in.
“Right now as cold as it is, it breaks my heart to think there are veterans out there that put their lives on the line for us and are currently homeless,” said Haridopolos.
Taylor does everything he can by working with National Veterans Homeless Support Inc. But he knows he’s just one man. But to these veterans, he’s their hero.
Reprinted from http://www.cfnews13.com
Notes from Senator Mike
07/07/2010 - Read Sen. Haridopolos’ Letter to US Sen. Bill NelsonWith record unemployment, Floridians have had their problems compounded by the coming bill for health care “reform,” the absence of support for a space program that employs thousands, and the federal government’s slow response to the economic impacts of the oil spill. Florida deserves better.
