Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a United States Marine. Right after graduating high school, I enlisted and served in Operation Desert Storm. While I was deployed, my community supported my family - mowing the lawn, shoveling the walkway, checking in on them. That kindness really stuck with me. When I came home, I knew I wanted to do something bigger than myself and give back.
I joined the Union Police Department, where I served for over 20 years. Through community policing, I started programs that brought people together - like the “Santa in Blue” toy drive, which helped families in need during the holidays. Over time, I realized helping others wasn’t just about service - it made me feel better, too.
In 2017, I founded the New Jersey Veterans Network, a nonprofit that seeks out veterans and families in need and connects them with life-changing resources. We’ve given away cars, clothing, and food, but the heart of our work is our mobile outreach team - veterans helping other veterans through peer support, recreational therapy, and suicide prevention.
Our volunteers have saved lives - literally. Each time we reach someone who’s struggling, it reminds me why I do this. We lose 22 veterans a day, and I know the work we’re doing is making a real difference.
Even now, as I work with the New Jersey VFW and other veteran groups, that same mission drives me: to make sure no veteran ever feels forgotten or alone.
I joined the Union Police Department, where I served for over 20 years. Through community policing, I started programs that brought people together - like the “Santa in Blue” toy drive, which helped families in need during the holidays. Over time, I realized helping others wasn’t just about service - it made me feel better, too.
In 2017, I founded the New Jersey Veterans Network, a nonprofit that seeks out veterans and families in need and connects them with life-changing resources. We’ve given away cars, clothing, and food, but the heart of our work is our mobile outreach team - veterans helping other veterans through peer support, recreational therapy, and suicide prevention.
Our volunteers have saved lives - literally. Each time we reach someone who’s struggling, it reminds me why I do this. We lose 22 veterans a day, and I know the work we’re doing is making a real difference.
Even now, as I work with the New Jersey VFW and other veteran groups, that same mission drives me: to make sure no veteran ever feels forgotten or alone.