You might remember Matt Ott, the teenager who used to raise money for veterans in order to memorialize his late mother. His mother passed away soon after he was born, while she was a soldier. He came to our attention more than two years ago when he was fooled into giving money to Nate Fornwalt. Matt thought that Fornwalt was a wounded veteran, but he wasn’t. So TAH came together an replaced the money since Fornwalt wouldn’t take his grubby paws off of it and give it back. Matt also became the face of Stolen Valor in the halls of the Pennsylvania legislature last year as he worked shook hands and kissed babies to get a stolen valor bill passed there.
Well, Matt has a new organization to get money to veterans who need it called Veterans’ Challenge. He wants to raise a million bucks by Memorial Day to donate to the Lebanon, Pennsylvania VA. From local TV;
“He’s an inspiration. We need people like that,” South Mountain VFW Post Senior Vice Commander Mike Gaffney said.
Over the last few months, he raised $3,500. But by the end of Sunday’s event, that number soared to $4,500.
“I haven’t seen any as young as he is and for what he’s doing, it’s very admirable,” Gaffney said.
It’s a good start to a goal for a good cause, in honor of a good woman.
“He’s going to do it, no doubt about it,” Gaffney said.
“She would definitely be proud,” Ott said.
I agree with Commander Gaffney. Good job, Matthew. I’m not asking you to give to Matt, just appreciate the work this youngster is doing.
I only hope the VA there uses it for veteran’s equipment, parties, visits to memorials and things like that instead of some bonus check to one of the executive leaders…
And what a great young man. Thank you to TAH readers for stepping up to replace the money.
Most funding for functions for veterans at VA Hospitals comes from outside the VA. Lot of donations come in from the different Service Orgs. as well as other groups.
Not sure how it is handled at every VA, but here it is all done through “Voluntary Services” including Recreational Therapy specialist.
They do an awful lot above and beyond what our Patients would get in regards to their medical care.
I trust Matt. I trust Matt’s Dad. I don’t trust the VA with a dime of donated money. A million dollars will provide a nice new executive bathroom or a “training” weekend at Vegas. Besides, I don’t know that the VA can accept money donated to it. In any event, I support the VA by paying taxes–and a lot of them.
^^^THIS^^^
Most funding for functions for veterans at VA Hospitals comes from outside the VA. Lot of donations come in from the different Service Orgs. as well as other groups.
Not sure how it is handled at every VA, but here it is all done through “Voluntary Services” including Recreational Therapy specialist.
They do an awful lot above and beyond what our Patients would get in regards to their medical care.
Perhaps someone could recommend a legitimate charity that Matt could donate to, rather than see however much he raises disappear into the bottomless pit of that particular bureaucracy?
That said, good job, young man.
Maybe he would be better donating that to the DAV, the American Legion, or the VFW and lets not forget the other Army….the Salvation Army…they are unsung heros…their CEO gets something in the neighborhood of 13,000 dollars a year! for many of the other phony outfits, thats their pay for a week!
I don’t like trusting the VA my signature, much less trust them with any money. I’m hoping Matt’s dad could start his own charity. I am sure there are several banks and attorneys that would help him for free. That I could get behind. I’ve already had the VA behind me, thus my opinion of them.
I appreciate Matt’s intentions. He hasn’t reached the age of cynicism that some of the rest of us have. However, I would sooner send money to Gary Sinise’s foundation than donate something other than spare pairs of glasses to the VA.
Me contributing to the VA? I don’t see that in my future. However, I do donate to Gary Sinise’s charity and other veteran charities. And if I had more, I would give more, just not to the VA. I applaud this young man. A lot. He is really squared away for his age.
Most funding for functions for veterans at VA Hospitals comes from outside the VA. Lot of donations come in from the different Service Orgs. as well as other groups.
Not sure how it is handled at every VA, but here it is all done through “Voluntary Services” including Recreational Therapy specialist.
They do an awful lot above and beyond what our Patients would get in regards to their medical care.
There’s no telling how the VA would waste whatever the kid sent them, he’s better off donating it to say, Fisher house.
^^^^THIS!!!^^^^
Not to take away anything from this young man’s good character, but I become irate to the max every time I read about the need for individuals such as him seeing to the needs of our vets, or anyone else. Yes, it’s a very good idea for the community to care for and support members of it’s own community. A wonderful thing, actually. And exactly where the support should originate.
That said, and while I applaud Matt’s efforts, we have already paid millions and millions for what he wants to accomplish. Throw the bastards in jail who have squandered funds that were supported to care for our vets! Every. Last. One. Of. Them. No excuses. Then throw the members of Congress out who have allowed this mess to fester for decades.
Edit the “supported” mid last paragraph to read “supposed.” Yeah, irate, with blood in the eyes that proofread, apparently.