Dearest Steve,

You don't know me but I certainly have come to know you over the past couple of days. Please allow me a few minutes of your time to tell you a story. I met John Nanney last spring when he walked into my Introduction of Sociology class that I teach at a local community college. He looked torn and tattered and walked with a cane. Over the course of the semester I got to know John and realized that his heart was unparallel to anyone else I have ever known.

What I grew to understand about this man was that he is the most generous and caring man I have ever met. He will literally give the shirt off his back to the Veterans that he so affectionately calls "His Boys." Not only does he give to the Veterans who are in need, but he will extend his generosities to any homeless and needy person.

I began to talk to John sometime after the end of the semester about taking his project to another level and providing him some much needed support in his mission to help others. We formed a Board of Directors and asked for Volunteers. You see Steve, John had been the sole supporter of others through weekend swap meets which brought in anywhere from 500-1,000 a month. His monthly expenses to help the Veterans far exceeded this income.

John has a vision for a housing project where the Veterans can find "sanctuary" from their Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and also from the harsh winters in the woods. His main objective is to get these people out of the woods and into housing. But it is more than this. We want to offer the Veterans purpose and help them overcome the horrific experiences that have left many without the tools to navigate through their days and nights. We will soon begin offering them Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Programs which if you know anything about this modality for healing, has a high efficacy rate for overcoming and even eliminating the effects of PTSD. This is my line of work as well as being employed as a Therapist with a local agency and teaching at a college in here in town.

So, over the past day I have watched as monies are coming in to assist John in helping bring his dream and his mission into reality.
He has located a property that will be perfect for the Veterans to live, work, and emotional support that they need. I can not thank you enough for what you have done to help John. He is in awe of the numbers of people that are stepping up to respond to the Veterans and it is renewing our faith in Americans to "serve those who served us."

A video will be forthcoming of the property where John will be setting up the tents as temporary shelter, that you so graciously offered. Our hope is that eventually this property will be permanent housing and a sanctuary for the Veterans. This is and will remain to be John's greatest mission.

Thank you for your time, energy, and efforts. We appreciate your interest and are most grateful to you and your audience.
Blessings to you all.

Dr. L.S.

Sep 28, 2012