Volunteers spend day helping Fresno veterans

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Central Valley non-profit is taking aim at the gaps in veterans services.

"Veterans fought for our country land of the free because of the brave and we have a lot of veterans that fell through the cracks a lot of veterans that need help," veteran John Schuler said.

That's where Central Valley Veterans steps in.

They pride themselves on giving a hand up, not a handout, to veterans that don't qualify for VA benefits.

"A lot of times the family gets overlooked when it comes to veterans," Schuler said. "We're about helping the veteran and the family."

"Anything that will keep people working and in permanent housing," Central Valley Veterans board member Deborah Riordan said.

Their latest venture is the hospitality house.

Once complete this will provide housing to family members of patients admitted to the VA hospital right here in Fresno.

"It's a privilege and an honor to help our veterans when they are in need," Riordan said.

On Friday, the non-profit got their own help with more than 30,000 DeLoitte team members nationwide trading in their day at the office for a day of service.

"We just try and meet that need with as many people we can go and have an impact," Jon Contreras DeLoitte said. "That's why we have an event. That's why it's called Impact Day."

The Fresno location picked up paint brushes and drills to serve those who served our country, and, for Contreras, it hits close to home.

"I have a lot of uncles that were in WWII that came home with lots of illnesses," he said. "I'm kind of passionate about that but you have that need."

It makes Central Valley veterans the ideal choice.

The network of accounting firms reserves the first Friday of June for National Impact Day and has been doing so for the last 17 years.