Jeffrey DePalma

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

The National Children of Veterans Foundation

Find More Startups Startup
Location: Hasbrouck Heights
Industry: Non Profit
Year Founded: 2008
Number Employees: 1-10 people
Description: (URL removed) Hello, My name is Jeffrey J. DePalma, a SGT in the Military Police Corps with the US Army Reserve. I am in the process of re-structuring my board of directors and need your help. I am not speaking on behalf of the US Army or the Military Police Corps. I am speaking as a soldier who has left his family for over 3 years as a reservist during a six year term. While deployed I realized that we the soldiers are not the only ones facing difficulty ahead. We here things being said like, “Over 20 million American veterans, our countries greatest manpower resource, stand ready to serve as needed.” Now have we forgotten with 20 million veterans we have 50 million family members who must also be at the ready. Families need our support. Current agencies have proven incapable of performing the necessary tasks to support the ever expanding demands placed on them after years of war. I have recently begun to structure a non-profit foundation called, The National Children of Veterans Foundation. ((URL removed)) It’s time we called on our best, those with maturity, experience and proven capability. Our only other options are to look away as has been done so often in the past or, worse yet, throw money and well meaning intentions at a challenge that may burden us with more problems than solutions. Allow me to explain briefly the goals of this foundation. The National Children of Veterans Foundation needs to bring about change in the communities not only for our Active Duty Counterparts but for the families of our Reserve and National Guard Troops. We need to create a healthier and happier generation of children throughout this difficult time. Some of the programs are as follows: -A fund in which National Guard and Reserve families can pull from in order to keep their children enrolled in extra curricular activities from athletics and camps to science fairs or school tutoring and extra help. Some of these families incomes take a large hit when a soldier is deployed with the military and their children do not have access to these programs as do the children on military installations. I do not want to see a child miss out on what could be a life changing opportunity because a family member of our heroes can not afford it! -As we know PTSD does not only take a toll on the soldier but can ruin marriages as well as families. We are going to create a traveling team of experts from doctors to nutritionists to visit families of our reserve and guard troops, spend time with them help understand what’s going on. We need to stop just shoving pills down these troops mouths and telling them to deal with it. We are going to developing a better way to help these families cope with the stress of PTSD, whether a more holistic method or more counseling, we need a better solution. -A large portion is going to create a scholarship fund for our children. Children on military installation often fall into what they call the easy way out and just join the army when they are 18 because it is all they know. We want to change that. We want to send as many children as we can not only to college but private and catholic schools as well. We need to educate some of our youths strongest minds to help create a better future. -My favorite program and the one I am most excited about is creating a more active generation for our military kids. We are working on teaming up with other non-profits like Live United and NFL Rush to bring these programs onto our military installations state-side and overseas. Keeping our children active teaches them life long lessons. Sport teaches commitment and teamwork something all our kids should be involved in. Now yes these programs are everywhere, everywhere except Military installations. Help me allow these programs to be offered to our military kids world-wide. I have many amazing things in store for the future. Now we all may be a little late but we are never too late. This conflict started 6 years ago and I do not want our families to have to deal with awaiting resources in the near future and during future conflicts our nation may face. Please help me create what I want to be the umbrella foundation for all foundations serving troops and their families. If you are interested in our programs, whether you have children or family in the military or not please contact me back and let me know how you can help. Whether you would love to serve on our board of directors, interested in a position in executive management or perhaps can help us with a fundraiser. I am looking for generous people who understand my vision and want to be part of the growth of an amazing foundation. “There is a warning that sits in all of our minds. If we fail to take care of this army here and now, asking again, perhaps when the need is great, may fall on deaf ears.” I look forward to speaking with you shortly. Jeffrey J. DePalma Founder/President (Phone # removed)308 Passaic Avenue Hasbrouck Heights N.J. 07604 (URL removed)