ARM Firms Jumpstart Campaign for Veterans

ARMing Heroes, the collection industry’s charity for military veterans, today announced that a handful of accounts receivable management companies have already pledged or donated amounts totaling nearly $20,000 in just the first few days of the organization’s fifth annual No Debts for Vets Charity Fundraising Drive, which runs from September 11^th through Veterans Day, November 11^th, every year.

These donations came from across the country, starting with National Credit Services, of Woodinville, Washington.  Owner Haidari Sarajy was presented with an award for his previous contributions at an ARMing Heroes event in Washington, DC, earlier this year, and remains a key supporter of this worthy cause.

Tom Gillespie, President of Access Receivables in Maryland, has also been a long-time supporter of ARMing Heroes.  His firm is holding an ongoing drive in which Access will donate 25 cents out of every payment received to ARMing Heroes. “So many of our returning heroes are hampered by debt issues that are created out of hardship. Access wants to support these special men and women and let them know that their sacrifice does not go unappreciated.  It also is a way for our employees to feel good about their part in raising awareness and contributing to this special cause,” he stated.

Other firms making early pledges or donations to help veterans include F.H. Cann in North Andover, Massachusetts, and HS Financial out of Cleveland, Ohio.  Employees of large industry player I.C. System even voted recently to direct funds raised at a recent charity golf outing to ARMing Heroes.

This year, the organization has made it easier than ever for companies to successfully institute a company-wide fundraiser by offering an Employee Fund Drive Starter Kit. In four easy steps, the kit outlines what is needed to announce, manage, and complete a successful employee drive. Any company that participates in a fundraising drive and donates to the charity at specified threshold levels will receive Donor Dog Tags, customized military-style dog tags for employees to commemorate their support of military veterans. Interested companies can learn more about the Employee Fund Drive Starter Kit and Donor Dog Tags here.

Tax-deductible donations are now being accepted online at www.armingheroes.org and via mail to PO Box 353, Collingswood, NJ 08108, payable to ARMing Heroes. Pledges may be made to info@armingheroes.org.

Last year’s fund drive generated more than $50,000 in donations, the largest amount of funds raised since the organization’s inception in 2009. As a result, dozens of grants were awarded to struggling military vets and their families, most of which were disbursed to the creditors of grant recipients at the end of the year, just in time for the holidays. Typical grant awards averaged $1000 to $2000, with the largest grant in the amount of $5000.  Stories of past grant recipients remind us all how rewarding this program can be.

About ARMing Heroes

ARMing Heroes was founded and began operating in March, 2009.  The organization’s mission is to serve the needs of U.S. military veterans, including their spouse and children. ARMing Heroes fills a charitable niche by linking people identified with employment, credit, and financial counseling needs with the accounts receivable management industry, an industry uniquely poised to help in these areas.  Persons interested in volunteering their time and others interested in applying for benefits or pledging other forms of support are encouraged to contact the organization at www.armingheroes.org.

What Can I Do Right Now to Help?

• Visit www.armingheroes.org and donate now.
• Friend us and post this article to your page on Facebook.
• Tweet about this article on Twitter.
• Join our group on LinkedIn, the ARMing Heroes Veterans Charity Supporter / Assistance Center.
• Comment on this article online and ask us to contact you.
• Forward this article via email to your key contacts.
• Print this article and fax it to your local congressional office and ask them to post our website on theirs as a resource for vets.