If members of a local fraternal organization have their way, all homeless military veterans in Utah will soon be off the streets with a roof over their heads.
As part of a fundraising initiative, Tooele’s Fraternal Order of the Eagles No. 164 has started a “Wall of Valor” campaign to provide funds for Utah’s Valor House located near the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City.
The Wall of Valor is erected on a wall in the FOE aerie at 50 S. 1st Street in Tooele. It consists of veneer bricks with decorative plates that feature the name of a living or deceased military veteran.
With a $35 donation, FOE members and Tooele County citizens can purchase a brick on the Wall of Valor. The FOE will have a decorative plate mounted onto the brick with an engraved name of the member or citizen’s choosing.
Mack Glover, co-chairman of the Wall of Valor, said approximately $10,000 has been raised so far by the campaign and other fundraising initiatives that are targeted for the Valor House. He said the goal is to raise $30,000 by next May.
“We have 90 bricks on the wall right now and we have room for more,” he said. Cheryl Barrus is the other co-chairman for the Wall of Valor.
According to a state report released in June, there were 336 homeless military veterans in Utah in January 2015.
Opened in 2013, the Valor House offers transitional housing for any military veteran who is eligible for VA services and is either homeless or may become homeless. Veterans can stay for up to 24 months and receive services to help them toward independent living in society.
The $5.4 million building is a partnership between the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City and the Department of Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System.
According to the facility’s website, the Valor House features 72 units with community kitchens, recreation areas and other amenities with clinical case management provided by VA staff.
Glover stressed donations for the Wall of Valor campaign are welcome and encouraged from county citizens, not just local FOE members. To buy a brick for $35, Glover can be reached at 435-849-0326 or gmack1350@gmail.com. The Tooele FOE No. 164 can also be called at 435-882-0286 from noon to 11 p.m. daily.
Tooele’s FOE No. 164 was established in Mercur in 1901. It later moved to Tooele City. Glover said local membership now stands at approximately 300 men and 150 women.