Manasota Veterans is a nonprofit organization made up of 100% volunteers with a passion to help others.  While our primary goal is advocacy for our Sarasota and Manatee county Veterans, it’s important that we always include their families and our total community.  The community synergy of what we do for our Veterans saves time and promotes positive and effective actions towards a common goal.

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While not all inclusive, we have many nonprofits and not-for-profit organizations and agencies at all levels that want to make a positive impact on the lives of our Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reservist.  Some of these organizations/agencies include the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Elks, Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS), University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, State College of Florida, Goodwill Manasota Veteran Services, Turning Points, Sarasota County Veterans Commission (SCVC) and Manatee County Veterans Council (MCVC) just to name a few.

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Our goal is to bring the leadership of these great organizations/agencies to the table at least once quarterly to share challenges, projects and successes.  Solid and direct communication and constant support will keep all of us current on Veteran issues and successes.  The Veterans' Task Force of Goodwill Manasota's top priority is the focus on mental health and jobs and is a good example of a necessary outreach project.

 

A few government agencies that help our Veterans are; Manatee and Sarasota County Veterans’ Services, Veterans Administration, Sarasota Vet Center, Bay Pines, Sarasota and Manatee County Veterans’ Court and the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs (FDVA). Another aspect of the big picture support is advocating for updated legislation on behalf of our Veterans and their families.  Maintain a coordinating line of communication with local government, law enforcement, state and national legislators. What we WILL NOT do is engage in politics, campaign for candidates, donate to political parties or anything else to purposely help elect a candidate of any political party. 

 

Bottom line:  Our counties have many common challenges and opportunities when it comes to our military Veterans.  That’s one of the core tasks of what we do; we investigate and coordinate efforts, advocate for our Veterans and follow through.  We promote working together on behalf of those that served and continue to serve.