WYANDOTTE, Mich. – A new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has opened in the Downriver area to serve local veterans.
The organization is called Downriver for Veterans and was started by Ann Rudisill, who is an Air Force veteran herself. She served in Colorado Springs during the Vietnam era.
"There's veterans that we need to take care of because if we don't, who the heck will," said Rudisill.
She started thinking about launching an organization while she was at the Southgate Veterans Court.
"I talked with my girlfriends and said there is nothing Downriver for veterans," Rudisill said.
She now has a warehouse in Wyandotte, located at 2447 Fort St., which houses all kinds of items -- furniture, clothing, food, toiletries, wheelchairs and more.
"We have phones for veterans; we have diapers for veterans that need them. We have laundry soap. We have blankets that were given to us by the Army. There isn't anything we don't have, that we can't give a veteran. We have it all and if we don't have it, we will go get it," she said.
If veterans aren't able to get to them, they deliver items to veterans Downriver.
"It's so rewarding to see them go home and be happy," Rudisill said.
The organization has helped plenty of veterans like Robert Brown, who was a corporal for the Marine Corps from 1958 to 1960.
"To really have something and someone do something for you, it's unbelievable. They really look out for us veterans," Brown said.
Brown refers to this year as his "big year."
"I'm turning 80 this year," he said.
However, he has problems with his legs.
"My legs won't be holding up that much longer," Brown said.
He also struggles with the fact that he lost both of his wives and feels alone.
"You have those moments, and I have a lot of them," he said.
He got connected with Rudisill one day and she asked him how she could help. He said he loves going to the annual street art fair, but has trouble getting around with his walker.
Rudisill reached out to area veterans and helped get Brown a wheelchair. She then reached out to the community and Jeff Kerekes with Downriver and Friends to find a way to build Brown a ramp to get into his house. An anonymous donor then gave Rudisill $1,400 for the ramp and Tittle Brothers Construction offered its services to build it.
"I'll be able to get around a little better than what I do. Sorry I'm crying. She's [Rudisill] one hell of a lady," he said.
Rudisill and her team plan to help more veterans like Brown.
"There will always be another veteran that needs something that we failed. After I'm dead and gone, this will continue, it has to. We have to take care of our own," she said.
Items can be donated to the warehouse on Fort Street. Monetary donations can be mailed to 2418 23rd St., Wyandotte, MI 48192.
Click here to visit the Downriver for Veterans Facebook page.