35 cents
VOL. 2/ISSUE 45
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
Group aims to take DIY projects to vets in need of help at home Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
“It was Barry’s idea in the beginning,” said Bert Geisinger, an optometrist. “Then Manny and I got involved.” He was referring to Barry J. Higgins, owner of Higgins Brothers Construction, and Marine Corps veteran Manny Carcel, Port St. Lucie. Higgins, about nine months ago, did a home-improvement project with Geisinger, and told him if he could, he would do similar projects for free, especially for needy veterans. “And I’ve known Manny for many years,” Geisinger said at a recent brainstorming session at American Legion Post 318, Port St. Lucie. “I said, ‘Barry, how about we get together with Manny and see if we can help some vets?’ You know, fixing water heaters, installing ramps, repairing roofs, those kinds of projects. And Manny said, ‘I like the idea.’ “So we formed a committee, to find and, well, vet potential veterans who need help.” The group doesn’t have a name yet, but the men have high ambitions. Higgins’ task is to network with suppliers. He’s built up a good reputation in his business, “and I’ve never been one to call in favors,” he said. “But for something like this, I fully expect help. And my goal is to partner with suppliers.” It won’t be completely cost-free, Higgins said. The group will have to raise funds, and get creative with vendors for reduced costs or free services. “I’ll lean on anyone I can — including people who can give free time and labor,” he said. “We’d love to have people help,” Geisinger added. “I’ve never been one to call in favors. But for something like this, I fully expect help.” Barry Higgins Higgins Brothers Construction
Staff photo by Mary Kemper Gathering at American Legion Post 318, Port St. Lucie, to brainstorm a new project to help veterans are, from left, Marine Corps veteran Manny Carcel, contractor Barry Higgins and optometrist Bert Geisinger. And as far as the veterans in need go, “we’re not going to show any favoritism.” That’s not to say there might be someone looking to take advantage of the group’s good nature, but that’s what the vetting process is for, Carcel said. He plans to work with county veterans’ service organizations, as well as individual veterans’ posts, to identify someone who truly needs the jobs done. “Doing the work is the easy part,” Higgins said. “But we must all be on the same page.” Here’s how the process would basically unfold, according to the men: First, identify candidates, and prioritize the project. “Is it a safety issue, or an aesthetic one?” Higgins said. “For example, a
stroke victim may need to get his wheelchair through a narrow doorway, so we would expand it. “We also have to factor in the time it would take and the ease of the project.” Next, screen the veteran carefully. Once a candidate is accepted, the project can begin. The group hopes to expand into other counties besides St. Lucie County, but has to start small. “We’ll definitely concentrate here first,” Carcel said. “We’re small now, but we hope to get bigger.” “We hope to get a network of guys who are similarly motivated,” Higgins added.
See HELPING page 2