Non-profit group donates dozens of free RV’s to homeless veterans

A non-profit group is making it their mission to put a roof over the heads of homeless veterans here on the Central Coast.

“It was an early Christmas present,” Army veteran Donald Cunningham said.

Army veteran Donald Cunningham is one of thousands of vets who had a hard time adjusting after serving in the military.

“In the 60’s and 70’s a lot of us came home pretty banged up,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham has spent much of his adult life, homeless.

“Homelessness is a difficult disease, disorder,” Cunningham said.

He says it impacted his family life.

“It becomes real difficult, it can actually crumble a family, it has crumbled many a family,” Cunningham said.

Now, through RV’s for Veterans, Cunningham now has a new place to call home.

“It has, it’s been a blessing,” Cunningham said.

“It’s just one gift to another,” RV’s for Veterans Director Cherie Michaelson said.

Cherie Michaelson is the director of RV’s for Veterans out of San Luis Obispo. Her non-profit group began five years ago.

“We have donated out 60 RV’s to homeless veterans, families and single men and women as well,” Michaelson said.

Michaelson says they currently have 30 homeless veterans in need of RV’s here on the Central Coast – and that doesn’t include the calls she gets from out of state. Once Michaelson finds an RV for the veteranm, she helps that vet find a permanent place to park it.

“It’s been eye-opening that these people serve our country and they come back with nothing and they also come back with some very severe disabilities, mentally, physically and emotionally,” Michaelson said.

“They say, I have a bed to sleep in, I have a chair to sit in, a window to look out of and a door to lock at night.. and I mean it doesn’t get any better than that, we all need that,” Michaelson said.

“The thanks are beyond thanks,” Cunningham said.

If you have a motorhome, travel trailer, van, bus or fifth wheel that you’d like to donate, go to www.pasocares.org or you can call 805-712-7067.

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