A local veteran’s family was recently gifted with a chance for a fresh start in 2015, thanks to a partnership of Goodwill Manasota and Heroes Welcome Home. Nathan Rohleder, his wife, Kara, and their newborn baby, Henley, were presented with a check for $1,000 from Heroes Welcome Home to provide one month’s rent and groceries. Rohleder served for seven years in the Army National Guard; the family moved to Sarasota after he returned home from deployment. Currently, Rohleder is actively searching for employment with the assistance of Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services Program staff. Heroes Welcome Home was founded out of a desire to help those who have sacrificed for their country. Tony Barrett, board president, and his wife, Kelly Barrett, board secretary, were directed to Goodwill to find a veteran who was looking to purchase a home but required some assistance. Heroes Welcome Home, which is entirely made up of volunteers, raised $1,000 and donated it to the Rohleder family, which was identified through Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services Program.  Rohleder was grateful for the contribution, which was presented by the Barretts and Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services Program staff directly to the family. “I can’t believe how generous the people in this community are, and I can’t say how much this means to us. Now I can go out and focus on finding a job to provide for my family, instead of worrying about rent for January,” said Rohleder. “It isn’t easy to ask for help, especially when you’re used to taking care of everyone else. Goodwill definitely understands veterans, they understand that we want to find success but we have to learn to fit back into the civilian lifestyle. They have helped me with job leads and interviews, and this gift from Heroes Welcome Home is just icing on the cake.”

Goodwill Manasota