Advocacy Solutions is invested in our community. We have many outreach events we participate in and support around our communities.
November 8th: 4th Annual Dinner for the Heroes (Hilton Head Island, SC)November 13th: VA Stand Down for Homelessness (Tyler, TX)
November 14th: HEP 3rd Annual Resource Fair (Clearwater, FL)
November 14th: VA Stand Down (Chicago, IL)
November 20th: Veterans Help Group – Harvest for Heroes (Clearwater, FL)
January 31st: She’s the Veteran Gala (Charleston, SC)
Check out our latest events below.
On October 25th, Advocate Jackie Cleveland-Sandy and Director of Community Outreach Bobbi Boudi represented the organization at the Women’s Veterans League’s first annual “Vets-n-Pets” event in St. Petersburg. They shared information about the organization, handed out dog treats and branded swag, and enjoyed seeing dogs in costumes. Attendance was modest, but they look forward to future participation as the event grows.
On October 23rd, Senior Advocates Adam Axinn and Adam Zider participated in a VA Stand Down for Homelessness in Dallas, TX, one of the largest events they’ve attended. Over 100 veterans requested follow-up from Veterans Help Group regarding VA Disability Benefits. The event was highly successful, and VHG was invited to attend the Fort Worth Stand Down in November and future Dallas events, reinforcing their commitment to supporting veterans in local communities.
On October 22nd, Senior Advocate Chris Boudi and Director of Community Outreach Bobbi Boudi visited Fort Carson to brief leaders at The Basic Leader Course on Veterans Help Group. They discussed the VA Disability Claims process and how VHG can assist veterans. Invited and Guided by CSM (Command Sergeant Major) Sarah Miller, they toured the facility and briefed instructions and a retired general about potential future support for National Guard members in Colorado. The event was successful, with several guardsmen reaching out to become clients, and VHG hopes to participate in similar future briefings at military bases.
On October 21st, Case Manager Jon Parris served as a Guardian for USN Veteran Kevin Crum on his first Honor Flight, mission 55, with the West Central Florida Honor Flight Chapter. As a retired Army Veteran, Jon found the experience both rewarding and humbling. The flight included 74 veterans, who were celebrated with a day in Washington, DC, visiting monuments and memorials, and concluded with an emotional welcome ceremony in St. Petersburg. The event highlighted the dedication of volunteers and honored the veterans with a truly memorable experience.
On October 21st, Senior Advocate Chris Boudi and Director of Community Outreach Bobbi Boudi attended the VA Stand Down for Homelessness in Colorado Springs, CO, which hosted over 200 veterans. The well-organized event featured numerous volunteers and support services, including the VA distributing winter gear such as parkas, sleeping bags, and boots. Organizations were also on-site assisting veterans with temporary housing and employment opportunities. Veterans Help Group (VHG) participated by handing out shirts and materials while sharing information about their services. VHG collected contact information from several veterans seeking help with their VA benefits.
On October 17th, Senior Advocate Amy McArdle and Director of Community Outreach Bobbi Boudi attended the VA Stand Down for Homelessness in Myrtle Beach, SC. They built new community partnerships and connected with several veterans seeking assistance with their VA Disability Claims. Contact information was collected to follow up and determine how Veterans Help Group can support these veterans in their claims process. Amy and Bobbi ran into two of our VHG clients while at the event.
On October 16th, Senior Advocates Jennifer Puryear, Scott McClune, and Chris Boudi attended the quarterly Tampa Green Beret event. They engaged with veterans and partner organizations, sharing information about the organization’s mission and the ways it supports veterans. The event provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen community connections and increase awareness of available veteran services.
Donnel and Bobbi attended the AUSA Conference in Washington, D.C. October 13th – 15th, where they participated in leadership sessions and gained valuable insights into the future direction of military technology. They heard from Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and engaged in extensive networking, building new relationships and strengthening ties with AUSA’s 6th Region. The summit provided numerous learnings and key takeaways, and they look forward to applying these insights to further grow our community outreach efforts and partnerships as we move into 2026.
On October 9th, Senior Advocate Caroline Temple and Director of Community Outreach Bobbi Boudi attended the VA Stand Down for Homelessness event in Anderson, South Carolina. Held on a cool and beautiful fall day, the event provided an ideal setting for community engagement. Caroline and Bobbi wore pink Veterans Help Group T-shirts in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They connected with local organizations to strengthen community partnerships and engaged in meaningful conversations with veterans. Attending veterans received free lunches, haircuts, and access to a variety of local support resources.
Senior Advocate, Victoria Gorby has been very busy in her community:
September 27th:
The West Virginia National Guard held a Gold Star Families Retreat at Camp Dawson to honor families of fallen service members. Gold Star families from West Virginia and Pennsylvania attended. Several organizations, including Mission Believe, USAA, and the American Red Cross, offered resources on healthcare, finances, and emotional support.
September 26th:
The Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center hosted a National Recovery Month and suicide prevention event in Clarksburg, WV. Since 2019, the event has brought together around 50 statewide vendors offering mental health and addiction support for veterans. Veterans in recovery also shared personal stories to inspire hope and highlight that recovery is possible.
On September 26th, Veterans Help Group participated in the VA Stand Down for Homelessness in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Senior Advocate Andrew Leibovitz and Advocate Jackie Cleveland-Sandy represented the organization at the event, marking our first community outreach appearance in the state of New Jersey.
This event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with local veterans and community partners, expanding our outreach efforts and reinforcing our commitment to serving veterans in need across new regions.
On September 25, Director of Community Outreach Bobbi Boudi and Senior Advocate Victoria Gorby attended the VA Stand Down for Homelessness in West Virginia. Despite persistent rain throughout the day, the event brought together a wide range of community partners and featured live music performed by a veteran band. While the weather posed some challenges, it also provided an opportunity for more meaningful one-on-one conversations. Bobbi and Victoria were able to build new relationships and received several invitations to participate in upcoming events that will further support veterans in the region. Although the band didn’t include any John Denver songs in their setlist, the day was a success in terms of connection and collaboration.
On September 24, Senior Advocate Amy McArdle and Director of Community Outreach Bobbi Boudi attended the VA Stand Down event in North Charleston, SC. The event, which drew hundreds of veterans, was also attended by the Mayor of North Charleston and featured a strong presence from community organizations and service providers. Amy and Bobbi actively engaged with numerous veterans and successfully established several new community partnerships. Due to the high level of interest and engagement, both representatives ran out of business cards—a clear indication of the valuable connections made throughout the day.
On August 30th, Senior Advocate Chris Boudi was invited to speak at a local American Legion post by his client, who currently serves as the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for that location. During the introduction, the VSO encouraged attending veterans to consider utilizing Chris’s services as an alternative to traditional VSO support. Chris provided a brief 10-minute overview of the work Veterans Help Group does on behalf of veterans and took the opportunity to promote our upcoming Harvest for Heroes event. The evening was both enjoyable and engaging, filled with meaningful conversations and lively dancing.
On August 28, 2025, Scott Layden Jr. attended the Annual County and Post Veteran Service Officer Training is Boise, Idaho. He delivered a presentation at the Annual Service Officer Training Conference highlighting the partnership between VFW and VHG on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims. The presentation also covered our SSDI screening tool. Pictured below is Bureau Chief/State Service Office for the Office of Veterans Advocacy Idaho Division of Veterans Services with Senior Advocate Scott Layden Jr.
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On August 15, 2025, Veterans Help Group proudly sponsored field box tickets for Veterans, as well as Active and Reserve service members, at the Veterans and Military Appreciation Night hosted by the Clearwater Threshers. At the event, we set up a table where we distributed T-shirts and other promotional items while also providing veteran consultations. The evening was further highlighted by the Threshers’ pitcher throwing a no-hitter, making it a truly memorable experience. Our team enjoyed the game alongside their families, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere for all involved.
Donnel participated in the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) Conference from August 12th to 14th. During the event, he established new partnerships for Veterans Help Group and delivered an impromptu presentation. Additionally, Donnel continued to strengthen his ongoing relationship with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Sixth Region. As a result of his efforts, AUSA issued a press release announcing his appointment as the Sixth Region Benefits Advisor. See the article here, https://ausa6r.org/sixth-region-news/f/sixth-region-appoints-benefits-advisor
July 30, 2025 – Members of the Veterans Help Group team participated in a Habitat for Humanity home build, which we are proudly sponsoring for a veteran homeowner. Upon arriving and engaging with the homeowner, we discovered that the veteran is also one of our clients. This realization made the experience especially meaningful, creating a full-circle moment for our team. While we are always honored to give back to the veteran community, it is particularly rewarding when our efforts directly benefit someone we’ve had the privilege to support professionally. Jen Puryear, the veteran’s advocate, and Travis Hulsizer, the veteran’s case manager, were both among the volunteers present, making the day even more impactful.
July 15, 2025 – part of the Clearwater office went to Valor Preserve to help veterans fresh out of homelessness file claims and do consults. It was a productive workshop.
Senior Advocate, Amy McArdle had a presentation with Low Country Veterans Group on Saturday, July 12th. After her presentation, she screened several veterans 1-on-1 and signed many up to become clients. This photo is Amy with Commander Rutledge.
On July 3rd, part of the VHG team spent the morning caulking & cleaning with Habitat for Humanity Gulfside. The team had a great time and we look forward to our next round in St. Pete at the end of this month.
Chicago was giving back to our nation’s heroes on June 27, 2025. The Chicago VA Stand Down took place from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Senior Advocate, Catherine Cornell represented Veterans Help Group with pride. Veterans at this event receive referrals for services including, housing solutions, employment, mental health counseling, and other essential services.
Homeless veterans face multitudes of vulnerabilities including mental health challenges like PTSD and substance abuse, service-related disabilities, lack of affordable housing, and difficulties transitioning to civilian life, including employment and social support networks. The VA & community partners provide Veteran Stand Down events across most states each year. Â Senior Advocate, Amy McArdle and Director of Community Outreach, Bobbi Boudi were at the Georgetown, SC event on Friday, June 20th.
On May 17th, Veterans Help Group sponsored the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership at the Chicago Cubs baseball game. The Cubs recognized two Medal of Honor recipients at the game and celebrated Armed Forces Day with fans.Â
Memorial Day weekend, Joe Waring represented Veterans Help Group in Atlanta. There was a dinner to learn about the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership and discuss the leadership experiences of two recipients. Joe was invited to Google Atlanta and saw Medal of Honor recipient, Leroy Petry presented with the Google VetNet challenge coin. The highlight of the trip was Veterans Help Group co-sponsoring Military Appreciation Night by the Atlanta Braves.Â
An Evening of Honor dinner in Chicago on Friday, May 16th. Senior Advocate Catherine Cornell and CEO Joe Waring are pictured with Medal of Honor recipient Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum Jr.
Senior Advocate, Victoria Gorby, traveled to Morgantown, WV to speak with the Valley HealthCare Veteran’s Coalition. She shared helpful tricks and tips on VA disability claims and how Veterans can maximize their VA benefits.
We had the pleasure of attending the 2nd Annual Honor Flight Fundraiser at OCC Road House in Clearwater, FL. The money Honor Flight West Central Florida raised from the fundraiser will help cover the costs of sending veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the war memorials, at no expense to the veterans.Â
Scott Layden and Matt Sauerwald attended the VFW conference in Maryland. They educated VSOs on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and how veterans can stack both benefits. We are excited about our partnership with the VFW and helping their members introduced to SSDI.Â
Donnel attended the AUSA Sixth Region Conference held their Spring meeting in Clovis, California April 10th – 12th. VHG sponsored their dinner Saturday night. Donnel has been named the Sixth Region’s VA Advocate. This region covers Northern and Central California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State.
April 12, 2025, Bobbi & Chris had the privilege of representing Veterans Help Group as a guest at the 3rd Annual “Champions of Change” MVP Awards & Benefit Gala hosted by Merging Vets and Players in Las Vegas. We sponsored a table with the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership. Rob Riggle-actor, comedian, and retired U.S. Marine officer- kept the room energized as the evenging’s emcee, while Randy Couture- firmer MMA fighter, actor, and U.S. Army sergeant- delivered a powerful and heartfelt keynote address.
Veterans Help Group was present at The Stand Down for Homelessness at VA Bay Pines on April 5, 2025. We had the opportunity to share our mission and make community connections. Additionally, we spoke with many veterans, some of which have since become clients. It was a great event with over 300 veterans in attendance.
