[October 31, 2009]:  This annual event is a reminder of the best in our country.  It began in 1999 and every year the attendance grows.  This year homeless veterans (and other homeless) attended this festive gathering.  Festive, yes, but also a strategic and well executed array of services designed to assist those brave Americans who laid it ALL on the line for the rest of us.  They truly are the very best of us.  We are all here because of the sacrifices made by our brave military personnel.  What I witnessed this day makes me proud beyond description.

 

The services here offered include health screenings, vaccinations/inoculations, haircuts, styling & manicures, several health vans and tables offering helpful and health information and counseling in many of these critical areas.  Clothing, blankets, food and more were provided by government agencies. It is all accomplished with volunteers who work tirelessly to make this a successful public offering.

 

This was my second year in attendance, representing Defeat Diabetes Foundation (DDF).   I was assigned a table at the entrance of one of the buildings inside the Fair Grounds.  For many hours, people needing the valuable services patiently lined up, then, filed orderly and respectfully into the hall to learn how they can improve their health, their living situations, their relationships with the community and how they can help their families. DDF provided our

Defeat Diabetes® Screening Test brochures, counseling and free gluco-meters. 

 

As these disadvantaged folks stopped and shared their concerns at each of the tables we would punch holes in cards bearing their names.  These cards were later placed into a drawing for a brand new bicycle – there were about 30 bicycles being raffled off.  And, there was a constant buzz about the possibility of winning one of these transportation treasures.  Clearly, the emphasis was on the necessity of the bicycles for the service they would render, not about exercise or recreational fun. 

 

The question that keeps plaguing me is re-emphasized during events such as this Homeless Veterans Stand Down.  I had the question during my participation last year and it continues to plague me today.  It is the same question that haunted me the entire time of The MR. DIABETES® WAKE UP AND WALK® TOUR (THE WALK™), the DDF sponsored eight year 10,000 mile perimeter walk of the United States for diabetes awareness. It is the same question that I have no logical answer to; when I talked with over 78,000 individuals who came out to greet me during THE WALK™ to share their most personal concerns about their diabetic condition, their living situations and their families.  That question:  How can this be - in the United States of America?!!?

 

We ALL must band together to help our veterans.  Think of their sacrifice(s).  Think of your own lives and count your blessings!  Think how you can help!  And, if you’re having a tough time coming up ways you can help, then, make it easy on yourself and dig deep – dig VERY DEEP -  and make a generous donation to one of the worthy 501(c)(3) non-profit charities that will know how to help those in desperate need.  Making a generous donation to Defeat Diabetes Foundation is a great place to start.  

   

DDF is a big supporter of our Veterans and you can be, too.  As a matter of fact, sign up for a Defeat Diabetes® VISA® Platinum Rewards Card and the bank will send DDF $50.00 when you use the card just one time!!  There are no application fees!  Please help us help our Veterans.  It’ll make you feel good to be a part of the solution to this American problem! 

Go to:   www.DefeatDiabetes.org  and click on the American Flag!

 

Good Health,
Andy Mandell – MR. DIABETES®
Executive Director