Stone Creek 1-4-2012

Recently, some of the Stone Creek veterans became elves and visited the Ocala Ritz Hotel. They visited the new Veterans Village, in the former old Ocala Ritz hotel on Silver Springs Boulevard. This hotel is a work in progress. A government grant is being used to convert the old Ritz into 36 apartments for 50 homeless veterans enabling them to begin life anew with a place to call home on a temporary basis.
According to Al Morrisson, resident manager, the new Veterans Village will begin accepting homeless vets, selected through a tough screening process by the VA beginning this month. These vets will receive temporary housing and subsistence (food stamps), attend required lifestyle meetings (budgetary, AA, etc), be responsible for grounds/ apartment cleanup, meet with counselors and generally get their lives back. With assistance through the VA, homeless vets will obtain a full-time job. This is a requirement of their stay at the Ritz. There will also be a “one-strike and you’re out” policy that Al will enforce. He will welcome the initial group of about 15 residents around mid-January and then become their mentor.
After discussing with Al Morrisson how our Stone Creek Veterans Association could help launch their effort, a volunteer committee consisting of Bob Romiti, Charles Raiford, Lynn Cooper and Fred Schnuerle got into the act. The group went Christmas shopping and purchased toiletries for each of 36 apartments. They bought tooth brushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, mouthwash, combs, soap, etc and packaged them nicely into Christmas bags. They attached a card to each bag... “Compliments of Stone Creek Veterans Association.” The group accompanied by Dave Fitch, Barry Browne, and Larry Singer delivered everything to Al on Wednesday, Dec. 22. Along with the gift bags, the vets also delivered 10 wall hangings and other items generously donated by other Stone Creek vets. The experience made the group all feel like Santa and his elves.
The vets have committed to assisting this worthwhile local veterans organization during the new year. Fred will act as liaison to the Veterans Village organization.
Don Hunt wants the Stone Creek Community to know that the veterans will conduct another food drive.
It will run from Jan. 9 to 16. The list of needed foods can be found on the portal under the Veterans Club. Let’s make this event more successful than the last one! Thank you Stone Creek veterans for continuing to serve.

Preparing the gifts for the Ritz, from the left, Fred Schnuerle, Bob Romiti, Charles Raiford and Lynn Cooper.