Greetings Camp Centurion Family,
As we enter March, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of you who supports our noble cause at Camp Centurion. Your unwavering support and dedication have driven our mission to serve our veterans with honor and compassion.
With each passing day, your generosity continues to uplift us, enabling us to provide essential services and support to those who have bravely served our nation. Whether through your volunteer efforts, donations, or advocacy, you play an integral role in making a difference in the lives of our low-income and homeless veterans.
As we embark on this new month, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you all. Your commitment to our cause is truly inspiring and serves as a beacon of hope for our veterans who may be facing challenges in their lives.
We have accomplished so much together, but there is still work to be done. As we march into March, let us renew our commitment to serving those who have sacrificed so much for us. Let us continue to stand together, united in our mission to ensure that every veteran receives the support and care they deserve.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your ongoing support. It is because of you that we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our veterans, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
With immense gratitude,
Joel Dalton
President, Board of Directors
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS & RECAP
Upcoming Events
- April 20th – Camp Centurion Workday (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM): This Workday will help us prepare for the upcoming next event in May.
- May 18th – Veterans Stand-down Event at Camp Centurion (11:30 AM – 2:30 PM): Camp Centurion has teamed with Veterans Bridge Home to host a Veterans Stand-down Event for Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland Counties. Lunch will be provided for everyone at no cost due to our generous donors. Our event aims to provide support, resources, and services to homeless and at-risk veterans. The primary intent is to offer Veterans a "stand down" from the challenges they face, particularly homelessness, by giving them access to essential services all in one location. The ultimate goal of our Veterans Stand Down event is to empower veterans to reintegrate into society, regain stability, and improve their overall well-being.
Workday Highlights
Our work day on February 24th was a huge success! We had a great time of fellowship while accomplishing many tasks inside and outside of the home. We are grateful for the people who continue to join us in our mission! We would also like to thank Wesley Ingle for the awesome wooden American flag he made for Camp Centurion!
💳 HELP US REACH OUR 50K GOAL!!!
We aim to raise $50,000 for our operating budget for 2024. These funds will cover the basic costs of what we do here at Camp Centurion. Please consider utilizing the links below and becoming a donor.
How to Donate:
- By Mail: Send a check or money order made payable to Camp Centurion Inc. to:
PO Box 1008, Bessemer City, NC 28016
- Online / QR Code: Scan the PayPal QR code to become a one-time donor or a monthly recurring donor! We could use your support!
✉️ Note from Our Director
As we reflect on the journey ahead this March, let us march forward together with renewed vigor and purpose. Our veterans have given so much in service to our nation, and we must honor their sacrifices by providing them with the care, respect, and support they deserve.
Your support enables us to create a warm and welcoming environment where our veterans can thrive, find camaraderie, and receive the care they need. Whether through volunteering, donations, or advocacy, your contributions make a tangible difference in the lives of those who have served.
We have Camp Centurion workdays in April and June. Please let us know if you know of a church youth group or ministry that can help us. Dates will be determined based on workers' availability.
Current Needs:
- Dining room table and chairs
- Weed eater for the upcoming spring
- Gallon freezer bags & quart freezer bags
- 13-gallon trash bags
- Bleach & anti-bacterial wipes
- Windex & all-purpose cleaner
- Kleenex
- Swiffer pads and cleaner
- Larger ticket items on our Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/5idsFwm
Please contact me if you can help us with any of our needs. Again, thank you for helping us help others.
Ken Heavner
📞 704-734-7742
🛡️ Camp Centurion Mission
Veteran Support:
Personalized individual support plans to help veterans become stable, and productive members of the community.
✝️ Chaplain's Corner
We have an official medical term to describe it. We call it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. During WWII it was known as Battle Fatigue and during WWI it was called Shell Shock. During the American Civil War, it had perhaps its most poignant name: Soldier's Heart. Shakespeare mentions it in Henry IV, Act II, Scene 3, Lines 51-64. It has existed as long as war has existed and it will exist until there are no more wars.
A major component of PTSD is loss of identity. For, when a veteran is discharged, he loses not only his occupation he also loses his identity and he chooses a new and possibly harmful identity. We are told in Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." This means a person will always act like the person they believe themselves to be. This loss of identity will often lead to unacceptable and even unlawful behavior and shame will cause the person to refuse help and withdraw into homelessness.
Behavioral modification may help that person function in a socially acceptable manner. However, it will not change their identity. For, we tend to believe the lie that our identity stems from our actions. The truth is our actions stem from our identity. Camp Centurion is a safe environment where the veteran can learn these truths about himself and learn to choose a new healthy identity and, in so doing, choose a new life.
Chaplain Bud