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The Gray Family |
What’s more frightening for an expectant mother than a car accident? Not much, except maybe the cost of repairs.
Kelly Gray, 30, found herself in that situation in October 2007. She was driving during heavy rains to a Family Readiness Meeting at Fort Campbell, Ky. Suddenly, traffic came to an abrupt halt.
“I hit the car in front of me,” said Gray. “I was seven months pregnant at the time, but luckily, the girls (Kadence, 3, and Kambel, 1) were not with me.”
After the shock wore off, Gray worried how she would cover the costly auto repair. The expense of a high deductible brought greater burden to a family fresh off a recent move, buying their first home and receiving the surprising news of a baby boy on the way.
All of this fell onto Kelly while her husband Sgt. 1st Class Eric Gray was away in Iraq, serving on his first tour.
A friend suggested Gray contact VFW Unmet Needs. Her friend explained the program’s purpose and mission is to help veterans and their families through difficult, and often, unexpected times. VFW Unmet Needs came through for the Grays, paying the entire $1,000 insurance deductible.
“To have a program out there that seriously honors our soldiers by helping their families is a program that should take great pride in itself,” reflected an appreciative Kelly.
Receiving a transfer back to the U.S. as a warrant officer, Sgt. 1st Class Gray, an 11-year veteran, can rejoin his family with peace of mind knowing there is one less expense he needs to face. Thanks to VFW Unmet Needs, the Grays can focus on enjoying their new life with their growing family, including the latest addition, Ty.
The generosity and assistance of VFW Unmet Needs has inspired the Grays to “pay it forward.”
“I feel so blessed that we were helped in such a great manner, I hope that someday we are able to help someone in the way we were. It is our duty as humans to help one another,” she concluded.
In 2004, Vermont American Power Tool Accessories committed $1.25 million to VFW Unmet Needs over five years. Their ongoing generosity ensures that 100% of your donations to VFW Unmet Needs can be dedicated directly to support the program. | 
