Since establishing a donor advised fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation a few years ago, Judy Liersch and Allen Jennings have used it to support the work of the Foundation as well as other causes important to each of them. Learning about the Florida BRAIVE Fund last year led the couple to direct their most recent gift to the Foundation specifically to support this military-assistance fund’s efforts.

"I was inspired by something I read in the newsletter of the Suncoast Women’s Forum,” recalls Judy. That item prompted her to locate several news articles about the BRAIVE Fund online. “I shared those with Al,” she says. “As a retired military officer, he thinks it’s extremely important to provide support to veterans returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.” After learning more, the couple made a gift from their donor fund to benefit the BRAIVE Fund.

Al notes that deploying and returning combat veterans, particularly enlisted men and women, face many challenges. “Families of deployed military may be living off-base in nearby communities but without the support services provided on base,” he says. “Programs funded by BRAIVE can help them incorporate into their new situations and become part of the community.”

“If someone comes back wounded,” he continues, “there is a lot of expense involved in family members traveling to be with their loved one. The family, particularly a young family, may not be in any financial condition to visit the city where their wounded vet is being treated.” Grants from the BRAIVE Fund to organizations like Operation Helping Hand, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and Haley House Fund are helping to serve those particular needs.

Anyone can make a gift to support the Florida BRAIVE Fund. Click here to make a secure online donation, or contact Gift Planning Officer Scott Anderson at 941.486.4567 to learn more.