Residents of Veterans Haven South are getting around a bit easier these days thanks to American Legion Post 331, based in Stone Harbor.

The post used donations from Cape May County residents and businesses to purchase a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, a seven-passenger van that is assisting the veterans in traveling to and from work, medical appointments, and other destinations as needed.

Trustee of Post 331 Tom McCullough noted that the vehicle’s reliability was the key to the selection.

“That’s the number one priority. We bought a van that is two years old and dependable. It really warms our hearts,” he said. “The staff and our dear friends from Veterans Haven South and our post members are so proud of what we accomplished. They keep extending their gratitude for what we did for them each and every single time we see them.”

The home facilitates a Veterans Transitional Housing Program. The approximately 100 veterans enrolled are provided with essential rehabilitation to help them transition into permanent housing. Long-term psychological, social, and vocational care is provided to help in this process. The home is staffed 24/7 to help the veterans with their various needs.

Sobriety is a major goal for some of those enrolled. Residents must be drug- and alcohol-free at the time of admission and be willing to remain sober while in the program. The van will help residents get to and from important destinations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings that are essential to achieving and maintaining sobriety.

This is not the first time Post 331 has worked with Veterans Haven South. The post has made a number of donations, including an industrial-size refrigerator recently.

“Our relationship is ongoing and never-ending,” McCullough says. “We see the needs at Veterans Haven South. We wrapped our arms around them, and they are one of our [top] priorities. It’s a 100-bed home for both males and females. That’s important to us as a post. We not only have great males serving in the military, we also have a core of females that are second to none.”

Photo caption: Post 331 trustees Jon Ready (left) and Tom McCullough (center) present minivan keys to Veterans Haven South assistant superintendent Donshea Joyner and VHS colleagues.