The Holly area Veterans Resource Center was created in 2014 in response to the lack of services and support for Veterans in the Holly Area. A committee was formed, and we developed a survey that demonstrated the problem in our area. The original founders were Joe Mishler & Ray Pfenning. They became the co-directors. They create a board of trustees and the executive committee.

The Holly Area Schools Board of Education and the Village of Holly approved the creation of the center. We spent the first 10 years in the Richter Campus. We paid no rent or utilities. We have and continue to enjoy widespread community support. Holly is a veteran friendly community. We have no boundaries.

Through the years we established a Hometown Heroes project thanks to Jim and Ima Golden. People going into the service have a ribbon around a tree in front of Holly Elementary School. When they get out of the service, we remove the ribbon. We hold a service at the tree.

We started the Vet-to-Vet Dinner which was a free dinner for veterans and their families. We hold this dinner at the American Legion on the third Monday of the month. The meal is free and we usually have a speaker.

We have, from the beginning, provided Accredited Service Officers who can handle claims for the VA. We started with limited assistance from the Oakland County Veterans Office. Since Covid we have had full time Service Officers from the Vietnam Veterans Of America. They can handle any claims. This is very successful. We estimate that we are putting Two million dollars a year back into the greater community. Oakland County estimates that each veteran dollar turns over 5.6 times. Which means our base amount is over ten million dollars. That is community impact.

We have held many programs, computer classes for veterans, yoga, Vietnam Veteran Pinning’s, round tables with legislative leaders, we work with Holly VFW 5587 and American Legion Post 149, resource events, resource fairs partnering with Oakland County, The Vietnam Traveling Wall in 2022, and more. We also provide a place for veterans and their loved ones to come and talk. 

We are a resource center and not easily put off. Until we had to move out of the Richter Campus, we were open Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We average about 30-40 phone calls per week. Our VVA Service Officers work 4-5 days a week. We averaged, not counting events, 20-30 people coming into the center. This does not include board members or committees.

We are constantly doing outreach and helping people outside of regular hours. We are always open to helping people. Veterans and their loved ones come from all over seeking help.

Our Service Officers handle between three to six people per day seeking claims and other help from the VA.

MISSSION STATEMENT

To provide Veterans access to information and services that will improve the quality of their life and that of the community.

To never forget the commitment made by our Veterans to our community, State, and Nation.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE HOLLY AREA VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER

Referral and Assistance Areas

·      Health Care

·     Veterans Benefits and Claims

·      Assistance in applying for Claims

·      Homeless Veterans

·     Mental Health Services

·     Training & Education

·     Emergency Financial Assistance/HAVRC doesn’t give out money.

·      Legal Assistance

·     Long Term Care/Assisted Living

·     Employment

·     Family, Spouse Assistance

·     Help with food and other Necessities

·     Information Center/Military Library

·      Computer access.

·     Gathering Place for Veterans.

HAVRC will do all that we can to help people. We are a resource center and we will reach out to connections that will help the Veteran and their family.