Was writing a very funny new screenplay called JOAN DARK with my partner, Bob Hurst. It's a modern retelling of Don Quixote only the main character is a woman and she's this crazy person who dresses up as a knight and rides around the American Midwest in her pickup truck, avenging evil and fighting injustice. Later in the screenplay, you learn that she's a damaged Iraq War vet. And while we were researching this character, we got interested in the cause of helping homeless veterans. Soon, we found this amazing organization called Stand Down. They have chapters in many - maybe most - large cities, and the Kansas City group is called Heart of America Stand Down.
What they do is so wonderful - they hold these events about twice a year where homeless veterans come and get medical care, clothing, and connect with services that might help them get a job or a place to live. Some of these folks have really turned their lives around because of the help they got from Stand Down.
Here's a video clip from their latest event (I had nothing to do with making this video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh_-HSxH6tA
When I saw what the troops were going through in Iraq and Afghanistan - and how their rate of suicide has increased so dramatically of late - I really wanted to do something to help. These are, after all, people who (as my high school football coach used to say) left it all on the field. They gave pretty much all they had for what they felt was a very noble cause.
Here's the thing: I really don't think very many people volunteer for the soldiering business to be a bad guy. I think they mainly do it because they want to make the world a little safer, maybe help some people get their freedom. I'm not a fan of war, I don't always agree with the way our armed forces are used. But my heart goes out to these men and women who do so much for so very little. That any of them end up neglected or alone or waiting to receive help is a crime.
Anyway, I'm trying to raise some money for this cause, so if you can spare a couple of bucks ("spare change, man?"), then maybe some homeless veterans will get some new shoes or a tooth filled or something. Seems like a very good thing. You can donate at http://www.crowdrise.com/pancakesbreakfastsforvets/fundraiser/homelessveterans
0 comments:
Post a Comment