When Armed Forces veteran Rodney Wyatt noticed a gap in the help given to his fellow service members in Bucks County, he resolved to make a change.
After serving in the Marine Corps and the 103rd Engineer Battalion for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, he returned to the United States and secured a position as a disabled veterans outreach program specialist for the Commonwealth, helping veterans secure employment.
Hoping to provide more aid, Wyatt created Suiting Our Soldiers for Success, an initiative that collected professional attire for veterans.
Building on that success, he launched Salute 2 Service in 2013 to expand his mission and reach more veterans.
Now, the nonprofit collects and distributes food and clothing and connects veterans with support services to help them navigate life after military service.
The nonprofit partners with local food banks to ensure food resources are readily available, and job openings are continually posted on their website via the Pennsylvania Career Link.
Additional career services, including résumé assistance and interview attire for both men and women, are also offered.
“We advocate for them on a state, national and local level,” said Wyatt. “We also help with obtaining their military records, medical records, and medals, and things of that nature.”
Veterans and their families can also visit their office in Newtown every Wednesday to collect $60–$70 worth of groceries.
The food pantry is open daily, and those in need can stop by to pick up essentials.
“Our mission is dedicated to providing outreach of assistance to veterans and their families in need. We strive to ensure that those who sacrificed for us have the ability to reach their full potential, personally and professionally,” he said.
Currently, Salute 2 Service is in great need of a new space, as their lease is set to expire on Dec. 6.
The hope is to find a space of at least 5,000 square feet in Lower Bucks County to better serve the thousands of veterans in need.
“If we could find a generous benefactor to support our mission, that would be great,” he said.
Once a new space is secured, Wyatt plans to launch two new initiatives to further expand the nonprofit.
The first, Reverse Boot Camp, would be dedicated to helping retrain veterans to help them adjust back to civilian life.
They also hope to implement a financial literacy program to help reduce the rate of veteran homelessness by teaching money management skills.
The nonprofit is always seeking additional volunteers to support their mission, from administrative help to housing assistance.
Those in Lower Bucks County who have space that meets Salute 2 Service’s needs that they would be willing to donate, or who have questions about the organization, can contact Rodney Wyatt at (570) 916-4695.
Individuals can learn more about the resources and programs available and make donations online at Salute 2 Service.
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