Glasgow faith-based nonprofit seeks to help veterans

A Glasgow-based nonprofit is expanding its efforts in order to further aid military veterans in need, whether it be spiritually, financially or socially.

Veterans Outreach Ministries was founded in March 2014 and is sponsored by Friendship Baptist Church, located at 2200 Glasgow Ave.

Tom Hogate, board vice president and a founding member, said the decision to start the organization came from a desire to serve others.

"Since John DiMeglio, our executive director and president, couldn't serve, he was looking for some way to help veterans," Hogate recalled. "He prayed many times, and the Lord said to start this organization."

Although DiMeglio never served in the military, other members of the board have served in the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy.

Hogate, a Bear resident who served in the U.S. Navy's Seabees from 1960-66, said his decision to join VOM early on had a simple reason.

"I like to help veterans, and through the resources we had available, we thought we could help even more veterans," he said.

VOM has several different initiatives, including fostering the spiritual health of veterans in need. Hogate said VOM is in talks to set up programs at homeless shelters and senior living centers in Delaware and Maryland, including outreach breakfasts and Bible studies, to further those efforts.

The nonprofit has also enlisted the help of local restaurants and auto body shops that are willing to give discounts to veterans, especially those in need, Hogate said. That is part of an expanding effort to try to aid veterans in need on a case-by-case basis.

"We had a gentleman who was looking for a new bed, as his was worn down and tattered," Hogate recalled. "We pulled some money together and bought him a new bed. When I talked to him later, he said he learned of another man in need of a bed where he was living, so he donated the bed we had given him to this man."

Their original beneficiary was doing better and got a job, and he felt that it was important to pay forward the generosity he had received to someone else in need, Hogate explained.

VOM members were also emboldened by their experiences in homeless programs at Meeting Ground in Elkton, Md., where in a meeting last year he said a dozen men opened up to them about their experiences, Hogate said.

"That got to me a bit, because they didn't even know us, but they trusted us enough to share their innermost feelings and problems," he said.

Through those conversations, Hogate said several individuals expressed a desire to be rededicated in their Christian faith.

"We provided them with Bibles if they needed them, and spoke to them of opportunities to attend services," he said. "It makes me feel good to help these people out."

VOM recently launched a new website, veteransoutreachministries.org, and Facebook page, Facebook.com/VOM.DE.

To find our more information about VOM or volunteer, call Hogate at 302-229-1819 or email him at tjhogate3@comcast.net.