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Living paycheck to paycheck is hard, but what happens when the paycheck doesn’t come?
Spc. Kevin O’Brien of Cottage Grove, Minn., is no stranger to this dilemma. After O’Brien returned home from training in April, he didn’t receive a paycheck for two whole months!
“I joined the military because I felt it was my duty to ensure the futures of my children,” said O’Brien. “My wife Michele and I have good jobs but when they didn’t send my check, we found ourselves in big trouble.”
O’Brien, 26, has been married for four years and has two children: Sean, 3, and Leah, 3 weeks. At the time, Michele was nine months pregnant with Leah.
“We were worried about not being able to afford groceries and supplies for our new baby,” said O’Brien.
He applied online for a VFW Unmet Needs grant. Just when the couple thought all was lost, they received a letter from VFW Unmet Needs that provided the family with financial assistance and a Wal-Mart gift card.
“I can’t tell you how grateful we are. The letter actually brought me and my wife to tears,” said O’Brien. “We were able to buy enough food, formula and diapers to last us for a month after Leah was born.”
The O’Brien family is now back on track and enjoying the newest addition to their family.
“This grant was the greatest gift we’ve ever received, not because of the dollar value, but because of where the gift came from—the heart,” said O’Brien.
“This program is a hand from God,” said O’Brien. “VFW makes me feel proud to serve my country.”
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