Uncategorized – veteransrideshare

Nov 15 2019

VRS Delivers Family Heirloom, Saves the Day

When an antique family heirloom needed to be shipped from Colorado to Texas, sisters Chris and Pat looked at options. “This secretary is almost 100 years old,” shares Pat. “It belonged to my grandparents back when they got married on New Year’s Day in 1921. When my mother passed away and we were going to put my dad into independent living, the six of us girls divided up his beholdings. This piece went with my sister, Chris.”

Imagine Pat’s surprise when Chris decided to remodel her home and wanted to pass the piece on to one of her sisters. Pat agreed that she wanted it, so they discovered UShip.

Pat shares, “We decided on a shipper and set up a date, and paid him with money pending. He was a no-show, so we had to start all over again.”

When the sisters put out a second request for a quote, Veterans Rideshare was the first to respond. Naturally, Chris and Pat were apprehensive because of their previous negative experience, but something felt different this time. Pat explains, “We coordinated with Thomas first, and then with Chris Pozek. When we found out about the veteran connection, we felt this was where we needed to be.

Why Military Service Mattered

Chris and Pat’s father served in the Army Air Corps, which later became the Air Force. He was a fighter pilot and POW during WWII, and once released, he returned to Texas. It was there that he met his wife at a USO dance. As Pat laughs, “And then six daughters later…ha! My dad was a tough soul, but he led a good life.” After more than 27 years, he retired as an Air Force Lt. Col.

Veterans Rideshare is veteran-owned and operated, and our founder and president, Chris Pozek, was eager to help the sisters out. He provided a $25 rebate since their money was still pending from the first vendor who fell through. As Pat explains, “We felt like Chris was making every good faith effort to keep our business.”

The secretary was delivered within a matter of days, and arrived in mint condition. Pat recalls, “As a military family, we had to move 11 times. This is why my parents never had good furniture! But the secretary was handled with care, and wrapped well, and arrived without a single scratch.”

Pat has been more than pleased to hire Veterans Rideshare. In her words, she would rate everything as a “10-10-10-10,” and that she would recommend VRS to anyone with shipping needs.

Listen to Pat’s Review Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RPGCUh-4C8

Sep 01 2019

VRS Replaces Child’s Stolen Batman Car Seat

Military moves are always stressful, complicated, hopeful, and bittersweet.

Recently the Coopers, a USMC family of six, relocated from Hawaii to California on military orders. They farewelled friends, shipped their car, watched their belongings get boxed up, and brought just enjoy clothing and toys to live out of suitcases for weeks on end.

After making the long flight from Hawaii, they stayed in a California hotel while they secured housing and waited for their goods to arrive.

Sebastian Cooper (3) with his original Batman car seat, before it was stolen.

The Coopers carried their most important documents with them, to include medical information, marriage and birth certificates, USMC uniforms, and medals. One of the children, Sebastian (3) had to say “see you soon” to most of his toys, but was comforted because he still had his new Batman car seat with him during the transition.

The Coopers owned the only cars in the hotel parking lot with Hawaii license plates. Suspecting they were targeted, a thief broke into one of their vehicles, took the family’s important documents, uniforms, new pots and pans, military medals, and Sebastian’s favorite Bat Man car seat. The items were then moved into their other vehicle — a paid off Toyota Camry — which was then stolen.

Naturally, the Coopers were shaken and devastated by the loss and invasion of privacy. Losing a vehicle and such important belongings and documents made their move even more difficult.

VRS Reaches Out

When Veterans Rideshare Inc. heard of this, we reached out to support the Cooper family. We offered transportation solutions, replaced their lost pots and pans, and even sent Sebastian a new car seat. Watch below to see his reaction!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhf0Q8hypsE

If you’d like to help the Cooper family as they pick up the pieces from this travesty, a GoFundMe account is located here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/usmc-cooper-family-support

A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” former Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Veterans Rideshare, Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, and supporting the military community.

Aug 20 2019

5 More Reasons VRS Loves to Hire Veterans

At Veterans Rideshare, we’re proudly putting Veterans to work, one mile at a time.

Veterans Rideshare is a veteran-owned and operated transportation services company providing non-emergency medical transport, freight shipping, and more. We’re dedicated to giving back to our service members by employing veterans, providing special rates and fares for veteran service organizations, and donating a portion of all fares to nonprofit organizations that support those who have served our country.

We’re putting Veterans to work, one mile at a time.

Here are five MORE reasons we love to hire Veterans:

Attention to detail. Service members are trained to perfectly make a bed, stand at attention, and have their dress uniforms in perfect measurement. This level of detail only scratches the surface of the necessary attention to detail that our Veterans possess.
Safety matters. These details also translate to a safer work environment. Veterans have been in situations where operations security have dictated what they’ve said and done, and they will be conditioned to follow protocols for a job safely done.
Persistence. The military teaches you to keep going, even if there is no immediate solution or gratification. This level of “don’t quit” is highly valuable in any work environment.
Camaraderie. At Veterans Rideshare, our employees often comment that we feel like a family. Many of our brothers and sisters in arms look for that level of camaraderie that we are able to create in our own organization. Service members think of the unit as a whole, not just the individual.
Sense of purpose. After serving our great nation and working with purpose, our service members understand the value in bettering an organization, of working as a team, of serving clients — it’s more than just a paycheck. When you get a dedicated team, you’re empowered to achieve your mission.

Are you or someone you know, perfect for our team? For employment opportunities, please visit www.VeteransRideshare.com.

A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Veterans Rideshare, Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, and supporting the military community.

Aug 13 2019

Patriotic Villages: Our Mission to End Veteran Homelessness

Veteran homelessness is an unfortunate reality of life, and simply providing a roof over the heads of those affected will not solve the problem.

Our newest initiative, Patriotic Villages, offers a well-rounded, complete approach.

Self-Sustaining Green Technologies

Our homes for unemployed, underemployed and homeless Veterans will be constructed of recycled materials, and will be powered by renewable energy. Additionally, we will teach them how to grow their own self-sustaining food through aquaponics, and will harvest water from the air.

By utilizing wasted plastics to create entire villages, we will diminish the amount going into landfills and our bodies of water. By running off of green, renewable energy, we will not strain any local municipalities as we will out our villages across the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE-NcpZ6RWc

Veteran Rehabilitation

Identifying the underlying needs to break that cycle of Veteran homelessness is the key. Treating the behavior that leads to chronic homelessness, will solve the problems due to things such as:

Narcotics addiction
Alcohol addiction
Mental health
Lack of trusted support network
Lack of reconnecting with family members
Lack of access to Religious services
Lack of knowing how to establish and achieving goals
Lack of consistent monitoring
Lack of meaningful employment opportunities

On a Mission to Change the World

Providing this opportunity to our Veterans is monumental. We will empower Veterans (homeless, unemployed and underemployed, with all necessary assistance at no cost to them. This can include but is not limited to housing, nutrition, rehabilitation, reeducation, guaranteed employment and affordable sustained housing while simultaneously protecting our planet through green initiatives.

Stay tuned for more, and be sure to check out our website: https://www.patrioticvillages.org/.

Aug 01 2019

Veterans Rideshare Makes Magic for Military Families

If you’re looking for a feel-good story, you’re in the right place!

Veterans Rideshare is passionate about giving back to the individuals and their families that have given so much to our country. This mission is especially important during the holidays.

We have teamed up with Army Wife 101 a few times now, and have made a difference in the lives of these active duty service members and their families

**The Lumpkin family on their flight from their duty station to their home state, courtesy of Veterans Rideshare.**

A Thanksgiving feast for a family in need — Military spouse Catie Hutchins shares, “I have been my husband’s caregiver for over four years since he was injured in Iraq. We were told that my husband no longer qualifies for the VA Caregiver program. I tried to go back to work part-time to help make ends meet, but my husband was unable to care for our four children due to his severe PTSD as well as a TBI.” Veterans Rideshare surprised the family with a $200 gift card so that they could enjoy a Thanksgiving feast to remember. She replied, “Thank you so much, the card was very touching and it brought tears to our eyes. We honestly can’t begin to tell you and Veterans Rideshare how much this really means to our family.
Christmas cards for deployed soldiers — Veterans Rideshare connected with an American soldier who was deployed with German allies in Afghanistan. The organization held an event where individuals could make cards and sent care packages to this unit of Americans and Germans. SSG Steven Casares received 27 boxes of cards and goodies while deployed. He happily shared, “I am winning with the most packages sent to me, thank you so much, Veterans Rideshare! Everyone loved all the cards and the German servicemembers especially loved the American snacks. Our offices are full with cards on the walls!”
Sent a dual-military couple home for the holidays — The Lumpkins are a dual military couple with a young daughter, stationed in Alaska. Veterans Rideshare covered roundtrip airfare in December so that their family of three could go home to both families for the holidays. It was immensely special as both sets of grandparents were able to meet their granddaughter for the first time. SPC Lumpkin shares, “Thanks to everyone with Veterans Rideshare that made this possible, we are FOREVER grateful for the memories we can carry on with. This was a true Christmas Miracle none of us will ever forget.”
$500 Christmas Giveaway for a military family — Veterans Rideshare hosted this $500 Christmas Giveaway. More than 130 deserving military families were nominated, and the winner selected was the Roberts family. Mrs. Roberts was a widow whose husband served in the Navy. After the death of her daughter in a tragic accident, she gained full custody of her four grandkids, ages 4, 7, 13 and 16. Mrs. Roberts was nominated by her neighbor who shares, “I have watched this poor family struggle so hard just to make ends meet. They never have enough but they never complain. They all love each other so much, it breaks my heart to see them suffer and never lose hope. If any one deserves to have a nice Christmas they do, so please help this family.” Veterans Rideshare selected the Roberts family as the winner, received wish lists for each family member, and sent them a Christmas they’ll always remember. Mrs. Roberts went from not knowing how to give her grandkids a Christmas to sharing, “Thank you so very much for choosing us. Veterans Rideshare has made what was going to be a not-so-great day into what will be a wonderful day. Thank you again from my heart for everything.”

**SSG Casares (lower right) with his unit in Afghanistan. They received care packages and Christmas cards from Veterans Rideshare.**

A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, languages and discovering new ways to express herself. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.