JOPLIN, MO.--- Korean War Veteran Joe Evans has come a long way since the 2011 tornado destroyed his home in Joplin.
"There wasn't too much left. Holes in the roof and the windows all blown out," said Joe Evans, Veteran / Tornado Victim.
Joe is one of the many former servicemen who is still working to recover from the storm.
"The Joplin public at large, suffered a tremendous loss and veterans were part of that, and it seems to me that people are trying to play catch up and it's not too late to provide that assistance," said Wes Barnum, American Legion Fund Coordinator.
Assistance that has just become a little easier for local veterans to take advantage of.
"The American Legion Department of Missouri contacted our local American Legion Post 322 and notified us that there were funds available that had been donated to assist veterans that were affected by the Joplin tornado," said Barnum.
Now that the funding source is in place, the Webb City American Legion is eager to distribute it to veterans in need.
"We're trying to reach out to 69 veterans and the amount that each could receive would be up to $500 each," said Barnum.
It's a small boost that could come in handy for veterans like Joe who are still adjusting to new circumstances.
"Since I moved here, I have to pay the rent and it runs $450 per month, my utilities run about 2 or 2 and a quarter and by the time you get everything said and done, you don't have any money left," said Evans.
"Well, it may not go a long way, but you never know if that one person needs that assistance. It may be one bill that it helps them catch up, whether it may be medical, we just don't know," says Barnum.
To qualify for this assistance, you need your service discharge papers, proof of ID, and proof you were living in a tornado affected area. Bring this information to the Webb City American Legion Post building this Saturday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to apply.
"There wasn't too much left. Holes in the roof and the windows all blown out," said Joe Evans, Veteran / Tornado Victim.
Joe is one of the many former servicemen who is still working to recover from the storm.
"The Joplin public at large, suffered a tremendous loss and veterans were part of that, and it seems to me that people are trying to play catch up and it's not too late to provide that assistance," said Wes Barnum, American Legion Fund Coordinator.
Assistance that has just become a little easier for local veterans to take advantage of.
"The American Legion Department of Missouri contacted our local American Legion Post 322 and notified us that there were funds available that had been donated to assist veterans that were affected by the Joplin tornado," said Barnum.
Now that the funding source is in place, the Webb City American Legion is eager to distribute it to veterans in need.
"We're trying to reach out to 69 veterans and the amount that each could receive would be up to $500 each," said Barnum.
It's a small boost that could come in handy for veterans like Joe who are still adjusting to new circumstances.
"Since I moved here, I have to pay the rent and it runs $450 per month, my utilities run about 2 or 2 and a quarter and by the time you get everything said and done, you don't have any money left," said Evans.
"Well, it may not go a long way, but you never know if that one person needs that assistance. It may be one bill that it helps them catch up, whether it may be medical, we just don't know," says Barnum.
To qualify for this assistance, you need your service discharge papers, proof of ID, and proof you were living in a tornado affected area. Bring this information to the Webb City American Legion Post building this Saturday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to apply.
