Supporting local Veterans: Patriots and Paws, a Local Resource for Veterans
"When Veterans come to us, they have choices! Many choices. From colors of chairs to patterns on the dishes, we are blessed to witness the stress in furnishing a home disappear from their faces as they walk through, load their truck and leave with lifted heads and ear-to-ear smiles!"
This powerful sentiment from Patriots and Paws perfectly captures the heart of why supporting our Veterans is so crucial. It's about giving back to those who have given so much for our freedom and ensuring they feel valued and supported as they transition back to civilian life. This blog post is dedicated to providing you with a guide to local resources in Huntington Beach and surrounding communities that can make a real difference in the lives of our Veterans. In this post, we will focus on the amazing work of Patriots and Paws and its founder, Penny Lambright.
Patriots and Paws: Furnishing Homes, Building Lives
The inspiration for Patriots and Paws is deeply rooted in the personal experience of its founder, Penny Lambright. Her father, a Master Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps who served in Korea and World War II, instilled in her a profound understanding of the needs of Veterans returning home. Penny’s father shared with her that even at that time, there was a need for support and told her about how he used to build furniture for his wife from wooden crates.Many years later when Penney’s nephew returned from serving in Afghanistan, he also raised the awareness for the need to support active military as well as Veterans. Penny realized the need for support, particularly in the form of basic home furnishings. From this, Penny moved forward with founding Patriots and Paws.
We highly recommend visiting the Patriots and Paws website to watch Penny Lambright’s video explaining why she founded this amazing organization and the passion that she has for serving Veterans.
Patriots and Paws is an incredible organization with a mission close to our hearts: "To provide Veterans/Active Military/Reservists and their families throughout Southern California with basic home furnishings for newly acquired residences.
Think about it: coming home after serving your country, maybe facing new challenges, and then having to worry about the basic necessities of setting up a home. That's where Patriots and Paws steps in, easing that burden and allowing Veterans to focus on their well-being.
Provisions for Patriots Program
Their "Provisions for Patriots" program is all about providing Veterans with essential household goods to make their houses feel like true homes. We're talking about everything from couches and beds to dishes and kitchenware. This program truly helps Veterans get back on their feet and start building a new chapter in their lives.Additionally, the organization is working on the Paws Program.
The Paws program was the inspiration for SB 245 (2020) Pet For Vets Act, which allows a Veteran in the state of California, who have “Veteran” designated on their California Drivers License (CDL), which was written by California Senator Ling Ling Chang. The bill went into effect January, 2020.The goal of the Paws Program has always been to open a kennel, that would provide at no cost to Veterans a place where they could kennel their animals, while they are taking care of themselves, for medical, mental health issues, etc. This gives them the peace of mind knowing that their fur-babies, will be taken care of while they take care of themselves.
While they are raising money to open the kennel, they are working with local kennels, to help with all of these Veterans who need to kennel. They are expanding to find people who will also be interested in fostering these animals, while the Veteran takes care of themselves. Each need will be reviewed to see if it is something they can help with.
A Look Inside Patriots and Paws: Direct from the Veterans
The impact of Patriots and Paws is best understood through the words of Veterans themselves. In their official promo reel, one Veteran shares, "My apartment is completely empty. Can be very depressing and could also be very triggering."Another Veteran expresses his gratitude, stating, "There wasn't that red tape here. Thank you, Patriots."
These poignant testimonials highlight the profound difference that Patriots and Paws makes in the lives of those who have served. Be sure to go to the Patriots and Paws website and watch video testimonials from Veterans who have been helped by Patriots and Paws.
The videos underscore several key themes:
- Choice and Dignity: Veterans are given the freedom to choose the furnishings they need, empowering them to create a space that truly feels like their own
- Direct Support: The organization streamlines the process of getting essential items to Veterans, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles
- Community and Connection: Patriots and Paws fosters a sense of community, connecting Veterans with one another and with volunteers who share a common goal of support
How You Can Help
Want to get involved and support their mission? Patriots and Paws relies on the generosity of our community. Your donation, no matter the size, has a direct impact! You can easily donate funds through their website or consider becoming a "Star Supporter" with a recurring monthly contribution. Visit https://patriotsandpaws.org/donation to see how you can help.They also welcome donations of gently used furniture and household items. You can drop off your donations at their warehouse located at 1825 E Via Burton in Anaheim. They are open for donations on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. You can also call 714-323-7229 to schedule a pickup of the items. To stay up-to-date on their events and any changes to the donation schedule, you can follow them on social media or sign up for their newsletter.
Visit their website for more information: https://patriotsandpaws.org.
BrightStar Care: Supporting Veterans in Their Homes
Once Veterans are home, BrightStar Care Huntington Beach can help them maintain their independence and well-being within that home. We understand the unique needs of Veterans, and our compassionate caregivers are here to provide a wide range of services supporting veterans in Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Long Beach and surrounding communities.Huntington Beach: A Community that Cares
Huntington Beach is known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back vibe, but it's also a community that truly cares for its Veterans. We see it in the enthusiastic support for events like the Patriots and Paws Hometown Hero Car Show. We see it in the local businesses that go out of their way to offer Veterans discounts and special services. It's a heartwarming reminder that we all have a role to play in honoring those who have served our nation.Conclusion
Supporting our Veterans is not just a duty, it's a privilege. Organizations like Patriots and Paws are doing remarkable work to ensure that Veterans receive the support they deserve. Let's all do our part to create a community where our Veterans feel appreciated, respected, and empowered to thrive!Ready to learn more?
Visit the Patriots and Paws website to explore ways to get involved and make a difference.Contact BrightStar Care Huntington Beach to discuss how we can support you or a Veteran in your life.
Continue to show your support for the incredible Veterans in our community! Together, we can make a real impact in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Penny Lambright is a local resident. She grew up in Huntington Beach and graduated from Edison High School. Penny is a great example of how local residents vision and inspiration can make a big difference in the lives of others.
Patriots & Paws is a local resource for Veterans