Members of Cumming Chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America came to the aid of veterans residing at the Northeast Georgia Homeless Veterans Shelter in Winder.

The chapter donated a 2014, 12 passenger Chevy van to the shelter to replace a 2001 van with more than 234,000 miles. The shelter uses the vans to get its residents to and from work, to medical and dental appointments and to fill other necessary transportation needs.

According to the shelter’s director, Fawn McKnight, the old van “spent more time in the shop than on the road, stretching scarce shelter financial resources.”

Purchase of the new van was brokered with the assistance of State Rep. Marc Morris through one of his private businesses, Snappy Trucks and Equipment.

Assisting homeless veterans is a priority for the chapter, which also provides emergency support for community veterans in need and also funds an annual college scholarship program for Forsyth County High School seniors.

Chapter President Gary Goyette credited the hard work of the membership, especially members Steve Masak and Jim Garner, for raising money to fund programs supporting veterans and community outreach.

Goyette said that he is proud that his members are the personification of the VVA founding principle. 

“Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,” Goyette said.