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KANSAS CITY, MO – June 9, 2022 -- Westlake Ace Hardware and Mission Driven Goods have partnered for years, donating big gifts to animal shelters in Kansas City. But this year, they decided to help people and pets.
Last December, Mission Driven, Westlake Ace Hardware, and Hills Pet Nutrition surprised the Veterans Community Project with Christmas donations. These donations amounted to $25,000 and were a wonderful surprise to our nation's heroes.
Knowing that many VCP Village Veteran residents have pets, Westlake Ace surprised the organization with a special gift for a dog play yard. For many vets, pets are very therapeutic for re-entry into civilian life. Dogs can reduce stress and anxiety levels, mitigate depression, ease social reintegration, provide comfort, and restore confidence in veterans.
Michele Orpin, Veteran's Community Project, stated, "So many of our vets feel like society has forgotten them, that no one cares about them. So it's important that we take care of the pet, not only the veterans. Whatever we can do to care for them is our number one priority."
The dog park was ready to open six months after that Christmas surprise. Westlake Ace Hardware dedicated Fort K-9. Their new dog park includes playground equipment for canine enrichment, specialized turf, and benches so Veterans can sit and relax while their four-legged family members frolic.
A day full of smiles, tail wags, and doggy ice cream was the perfect opening for a fantastic gift to some amazing heroes.
The residents of VCP Village deserve a home of their own, and now their beloved pets can have a place to run and play, continuing to bring healing to the hearts of the Veterans.
"Our veterans enjoy having an opportunity to come and have a place safe with their dog to play, whether day or night. It really, truly is their very best friend. And so it is an honor for us to have a safe place for them to play with their very best friend, and sometimes it's their only friend. And so this is very important."
What is VCP? "Veterans Community Project is dedicated to supporting every man and woman who took the oath for our country. We are determined to make a difference in the lives of homeless Veterans, a task accomplished by the community for the community." They accomplish their mission by serving homeless and at-risk Veterans with tiny homes, wrap-around support services, and emergency assistance.
Thank you to Carpenters Local 1127 Union for their time building the playground and Teague Lumber Company.
A thank you to Westlake Ace Hardware for their history of support to VCP and all their other work in the community. They always go above and beyond in their generosity and desire to bring good to their community.
