Manasota Goodwill shuts down veterans service program after Gov. Rick Scott vetoes funding

July 03--MANATEE -- After Florida Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $758,000 in funding for Manasota Goodwill, five veterans were called and told to collect their things, because the veterans service program they ran was done.

"I got a phone call, and they told me, 'Go get your stuff, it's over,'" said Don Hill, a former employee of the veterans service program at Manasota Goodwill. "And that was it."

Although the program only operated for a year, Hill said he doesn't know of any other organization that provides comprehensive services like they did. They worked

with veterans directly and coached them through all needs, whether it was financial help, job skills, clothing, food or health care. If Goodwill couldn't provide the services directly, Hill said they would make sure veterans were connected to groups that could help.

"One time, we had a veteran dying of lung cancer, and we helped his family, who had nothing, furnish their house and get food," Hill said. "We helped people turn their lives around. And people were so surprised by what we could do for them. We cared, we really did."

Manasota Goodwill had to cut the year-old service after Scott vetoed $758,000 from the 2015-16 state budget designated for the organization. The program employed five veterans, all of whom were fired.

Scott's budget said the item was vetoed because it "circumvents the established grant review process."

Carl Hunsinger, vice chairman of the Manatee County Veterans' Council and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, said they estimate there are 40,000 veterans in Manatee County. He said programs such as the one at Manasota Goodwill should be getting more funding, not less.

"It's about education of the benefits available," Hunsinger said. "We should have more funding for veterans programs, and we should educate them on what is already out there."

Hunsinger said it's ironic, since Goodwill Manasota has statements about how many veterans they've helped get jobs, now they had to lay off five veterans.

"Since Goodwill Manasota claims to have helped 520 veterans as they reintegrate back into the workforce, how will they help the veterans they just released to the unemployment line due to lack of program funding?" Hunsinger asked.

Goodwill Manasota has two other veterans service programs funded by private donations, which also help veterans find employment. Hill said the cut program was unique in that the five employees were the "coaches and cheerleaders" for the veterans, making sure they had all the tools they needed to solve their problems.

Goodwill Manasota sent an email to veterans groups about the loss of the program after the veto announcement June 23.

"I am certain you are all aware that the governor vetoed the second-year funding for our veterans program," C.J. Bannister, director of veterans services, wrote in the email. "Our staff is meeting to assess the services we can provide to the community moving forward."

Goodwill Manasota President and CEO Bob Rosinsky said in a statement that the veto would "severely diminish" their ability to provide veterans services, but they are still committed to helping veterans in the community.

"Goodwill has had a commitment to providing those services since founding our Veterans Services Program in 2013," Rosinsky said. "We'll continue providing a full array of services despite the lack of funding and support from the governor's office."

Saying he was shocked by the turn of events and sudden cancellation of the program, Hill said he's still going to continue to aid fellow veterans.

"Helping veterans is important to me," Hill said. "I'm looking for employment now, and there are a lot of programs that help veterans. We'll see what's next for me."

Kate Irby, Herald online/political reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7055 or at kirby@bradenton.com. You can follow her on Twitter @KateIrby

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