For the past three years, Stacia McDonough, has generously donated her exquisite Neva Dolls to the annual Hope For Veterans', "Sparkle of Hope," gala, held each October in Whippany, New Jersey. Ms. McDonough has always been a strong advocate for our brave veterans who have selflessly sacrificed so much for this country and its citizens.

The Hope for Veterans Program, is a private charity  which addresses an important need in our community by providing homeless veterans access to stable, decent housing and services to help them break the cycle of homelessness.  Mental health disorders caused more hospitalizations among U.S .troops in 2009 than any other reason according to the Pentagon. This historical high reflects the growing toll of nearly nine years of war and rates of mental health problems among new veterans are high and rising.  These record high rates are in addition to older veterans who have been struggling with mental illness and substance abuse from past service including the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars.

PHOTO: Stacia with Julia Bey Ahmet (Community Hope's Vice President of Development).  Holding donated doll for 2010, "Zolushka" (Russia's Cinderella).

The Hope for Veterans Program provides 95 veterans a day with safe shelter. In addition it helps coordinate their medical and behavioral health care, provides one-to-one support, teaches computer training, offers employment assistance, transportation and other needed services to help them regain their self-sufficiency and achieve recovery.  Male and female veterans can reside at Hope For Veterans for up to two years.  Afterwards, the program's professionals help each veteran access affordable housing and services in the community.  More than 430 veterans have benefited from our Hope for Veterans Program since opening in 2004.

 
"For their service, our veterans should always be kept in the forefront," says Ms. McDonough.

Private donations help to make this all possible.  A gift of hope can save a homeless veteran from another winter spent on the streets. For further information call: (973) 463-9600 or visit the website at: www.communityhope-nj.org