Vets groups give gift of mobility

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates of the Vietnam Veterans Clay County Chapter 1059 recently presented two mountain bicycles to the Clay House for homeless veterans who have gone through Veterans Treatment Court. VVA member Marshall Gross teamed up with Open Road Bicycles in Jacksonville and its owners Scott Gross and Scott Summey to make the donation. VVA President Gary Newman donated two helmets and locking bicycle chains. Mary Ann Newman, AVVA Florida State vice president, collected food and health items from chapter members to make their presentation on May 1. “I’m glad to accept the bicycles,’’ said Teri Hamlyn, director of treatment court for the Fourth Judicial Circuit Courts for Florida, which serves Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. “I’m very happy to receive these items. They will be put to good use. This is amazing.” Veterans Treatment Court is a pre-trial diversion court for veterans. In operation two years just for men, Clay House provides housing to veterans who are arrested for a criminal offense, such as drug or substance abuse. They can stay in the house for up to a year. The bicycles will allow Clay House residents to get to the bus and court appointments. Hamlyn hopes to establish a house for female Veterans Treatment Court enrollees in the future. From left are Gary Newman, Mary Ann Newman, Teri Hamlyn, Joe Hamilton, Nekesha Robinson, Kim Biddle and Eric Davidson.

Walmart helps out the cadets

ORANGE PARK – Ridgeview High School’s Navy Junior ROTC Unit recently received a $2,500 donation from the Orange Park area Walmart to support cadet activities. The recent donation is part of a three-year community partnership with the retail giant. This year cadets raised $6,987 in front of the store to purchase 698 Christmas wreaths which they placed on the graves of veterans during the annual Wreaths Across American wreath laying ceremony at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. The cadets also teamed up with Walmart to collect more than $8,000 for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign for Christmas. For the last three years, cadets were awarded the Top Group Volunteer Plaque by Salvation Army. From left are Cadet Master Chief Petty Officer Vince Vergel, Walmart Manager Julian Spirollari and Cadet Commander Tanner Learn, RHS unit commanding officer, surrounded by Walmart employees.