Alternative Community Services Helps Bridge the Gap for Disenfranchised Vets

Alternative Community Services, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, helps disenfranchised veterans obtain the much needed services well-meaning government agencies cannot provide or take too long to process. They are holding a fun and creative fundraiser in June to raise funds to continue running the organization.

Akron, OH, April 29, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Pamela Conner is a U.S. Marine Corps mom who was concerned when her son returned from his tour of duty in 2000. She watched her son struggle to make ends meet upon his return from deployment overseas. He suffered from emotional issues, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and financial problems. Pamela researched places that could help her son, and continued to come up short. An idea was sprouted as she saw her son try to rise above the fallout brought on by his deployment. That idea was Alternative Community Services, Inc.

Today, Pamela’s son is a single dad with joint custody of his children and a student at the University of Akron. He was determined get the help he needed and thanks to Alternative Community Services, Inc. or ACS and Pamela’s help, he is a productive member of society today.

Pamela’s passion is to help service men and women in northeast Ohio and their families who are experiencing financial hardship brought on by deployment. She wants to “bridge the gap” between well-meaning government agencies and what underserved veterans really need in their day-to-day lives.

In 2004, Pamela founded ACS, a 501© (3) non-profit corporation, in order to help veterans and their families accomplish two important things:
1. In partnership with Summit County Veterans Service Commission, ACS helps veterans file online for emergency benefits for such things as needed prescriptions, food stamps, and cash assistance, and
2. Teach them financial skills in order to save for a home, car, college, or retirement. Often times these essential skills have never been taught at school or at home. By mastering these skills, each person can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.

These services are offered at no charge to the veteran and their families. Pamela herself takes no salary in order to provide these much needed benefits.

At this time, ACS does not receive funding from federal, state, or local grants. All their fundraising efforts have come from a dedicated group of individuals who have been able to raise a few thousand dollars to keep the lights on and the doors open.

However, that is all about to change.

Pamela came up with a creative and fun way to raise money for Alternative Community Services…A bed race. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go back into the organization and support the expansion of existing services. Pamela and her staff hope to assist veterans with any needs they may have from extra medical attention to emergency cash grants to pay the utilities; just to name two real-life examples of how ACS helps.

Each team of 5 will dress up as their favorite superhero and race a twin sized bed down a specified path at the Summit County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 18, 2011. One team member will ride on the bed during the race to steer, while the other 4 members push their superhero themed bed to the finish line. There are prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, as well as, most creatively decorated bed and costumes.

ACS’ goal is to obtain 20 bed sponsors; 10 corporate and 10 families, in order to have a fun and interesting single-elimination race.

Help ACS help veterans, like Pamela’s son get the much needed support they require.

Call Alternative Community Services, Inc. at 234.678.7985 or visit them on the web for Bed Racing details at www.acshelp.org. Get a team together and help them race for a great cause.

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Mulligan Management Group, LLC
De-de Mulligan
330-472-7673
www.mulliganmanagementgroup.com
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