Remember Our Veterans

As we struggle to fill our cars with expensive gas and make our rent or mortgage payments, I don’t want to forget our veterans who have served us in current wars and past wars. I like to call the month of May “Memorial Day Month” rather than just recognize a long weekend as an excuse for a three-day vacation.

The Veterans Administration estimates over 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. With Northeast Ohio’s unemployment rate hovering around 9%, homelessness among veterans in our community will increase.

Over the years, I have tried to give back to our veterans either through my job or by volunteering with organizations that help veterans.

I’m a current board member for Community Service Alliance, an organization that works with veterans and men transitioning out of homelessness. Community Service Alliance helps in the areas of training, jobs, and housing.

Community Service Alliance converted a former Catholic convent next to St. Procop Church, located at 4001 Trent Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio as a residence. Procop House is Community Service Alliance’s first location that provides low-rent housing.

For the past three years, Fratello’s Restaurant in Avon Lake, Ohio has donated 10% of their dine-in food sales every Tuesday evening to a worthy cause. Each month raises donations and awareness for a different charity. “Ten Percent Tuesdays” in May will support Community Service Alliance.

Ron Heldorfer, who co-owns Fratello’s with his brother Craig said, “We want to support our community and Ten Percent Tuesdays offer a great way for people to enjoy dining out while doing a good deed for a neighbor.”

Fratello’s Restaurant has a wide selection of Italian cuisine and fine wines. Fratello’s is located at 32085 Electric Blvd. in Avon Lake, Ohio. For more information call (440) 871-3054 or visit fratellos.net.

For information about Community Service Alliance, call (216) 939-0610 or visit comservealliance.org.