SECO’s Veteran’s Assistance Programs Helps Build Community

by Patrick Revere

IIt’s extremely hard to show a retired United States veteran how much he or she is appreciated for their service. For those of us who were not there during their time serving our country, we have no idea what they endured.

That fact hit home with us at SECO a few years ago when a close friend and community resident was unable to breathe well in the summer and needed an extra air conditioner in his house to keep it cooler.

This resident was a veteran of the Iraq War and is the recipient of the Purple Heart medal. Another resident in that same community was a Marine, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, who had terrible flashbacks when 4th of July would arrive and the fireworks began going off in the neighborhood behind his home.

Both of these men paid a price that we who have not served in the Armed Forces will never know.

These issues led SECO to the idea of helping honorably discharged veterans who live in manufactured home communities in this country.

The SECO Veteran’s Assistance program works because a group of park owners decided to apply for non-profit 501(c) (3) status to achieve the goal of taking net proceeds from their yearly national meeting and helping the veterans. The goal is to do what they can to help make a veteran’s home more comfortable if they lack the resources to make that change for themselves.

How to Help SECO’s Veterans

If you know of a resident who was an honorable discharge from the U.S. military who could use a wheelchair ramp, ADA toilet, handrails in the shower, A/C units, extra lighting, or anything needed to make their lives better, please contact the committee, and they will provide a loan application for the resident. With the help of the community owner or manager, a SECO committee — consisting of park owners and industry participants who have served in the U.S. Navy, Marines, Army, and Air Force — will review the application. Prior to approval, the committee might ask for documentation and photographs of the project to be funded.

On Oct. 3, 2022, park owners and managers from all around the country are meeting outside Atlanta to discuss issues we all face each day and to view the new homes that local manufacturers will be installing for the event. Park Managers will meet on Monday, Oct. 3, while the first SECO Golf Tournament is happening at Stone Mountain Golf Course. On Wednesday, we will be addressed by our keynote speaker, Mark Yost, CEO of Skyline Champion Corporation.

For more information, please visit the SECO website at https://www.secoconference.comto learn more about the Veterans program and to register for updates and event information. Or make contact directly; email davidroden@yahoo.com or call (423) 760-4819. SECO is a 501(c)(3) and accepts year-round donations for this program to help U.S. Veterans. MHV

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