Gift From Katy Perry To Veterans Matter to House 22 Vets
TOLEDO, OH – Thanks to the philanthropy of Katy Perry twenty-two homeless veterans in Michigan and Texas will soon cross the threshold into permanent housing. She’s a supporter of Veterans Matter, a growing national program that works with HUD and the VA to house homeless veterans. Including Perry’s efforts, the group has now housed 425 veterans in six states.
As part of its continuing fundraising efforts, Veterans Matter auctioned a Katy Perry Prizmatic Tour concert package with the winner, Scott Vaughn of Oakton, VA getting to be the superstar’s VIP guest with concert tickets and to meet her backstage before her recent tour stop in Cleveland.
“Thank you so much for helping Veterans Matter, it is so important that we help those who fought for our freedom,” Perry told a delighted Scott Vaughn. His winning bid will enable Veterans Matter to fund housing deposits for 17 homeless veterans in Austin, Texas, and five in Detroit.
“It was an incredible night,” recalls the still ecstatic Vaughn. “When you meet Katy in person you see how nice, caring, and also how funny she truly is. With so many great causes that she supports, we are thankful that she also took the time and the interest, to help our homeless veterans,” he added.
Veterans Matter, a program of 1Matters, a Toledo based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit with roots back to 1990, was started by founder Ken Leslie in 2012, after he learned that the biggest obstacle facing some 60,000 homeless veterans eligible for permanent housing assistance is the lack of a rental deposit, a component that is not covered by the HUD-VASH voucher assistance program.
Adding to the fundraising efforts the “1Mile Walk to End Veteran Homelessness” is set for October 24th to kick off the groups’ annual Tent City event. The community is encouraged to come down to walk in the name of a hero who served, in order to help those veterans still on the streets.
Perry and a growing number of musicians and celebrities, including Ice-T, Kid Rock, John Mellencamp, Dusty Hill, Kix Brooks, Stevie Nicks, and many others, as well as a national Cumulus Media supported national radio campaign, are all working to help Veterans Matter raise awareness and funds to provide those deposits directly to the landlords.
"These homeless veterans have guaranteed long-term housing and the keys are jingling in their hands. All they need is the deposit to get them over the threshold. Katy and the others are helping us provide that final piece that pushes them over that threshold.” Leslie said.
Perry, dubbed “Woman of the Year” by Billboard in 2012, supports a wide range of organizations and causes dedicated to the welfare and betterment of the human condition
Visit VeteransMatter.org and Facebook.com/VeteransMatter for more information and to join the campaign. Donate by texting VETS to 41444. For videos of the participating artists, visit youtube.com/veteransmatter.
Press Release Contact Name: Ken
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Veterans Matter
Website or Link: veteransmatter.org