Palmer’s veterans village hosts fundraiser

PALMER – She had the idea in 2017 and from there, Lauren Andrade began the creation of Serenity Veterans Village.

“I know a lot of my battle buddies from Iraq have had pretty consistent issues with housing and families she explained. “So, I did a dry run in 2017 with a small house and a family of four. I did it to make sure this would work even if I could not get funding. In 2019, I graduated that family.” 

Andrade also filed for 501 c(3) status. She secured that in March of 2019.

To grow Serenity Veterans Village these days, Andrade is holding a fundraiser on Nov. 1 at the Oasis in Midlothian. 

There will be live bands and comedians Erik Knowles and Michael Shields performing. The fundraiser will also have a raffle and auction along with gift certificates to raise money.

Andrade said the reason the money is needed is to move a house, which she points out is a house and not a mobile home. 

“We are hoping to raise $30,000 to add a donated pier and beam house in Palmer, which is 1200 square-feet and can house three additional veterans,” Andrade said. 

She currently has two female veterans, one with a small child on the waiting list, and Andrade said she believes this would be perfect for them. 

“The entire amount we raise is for that house,” she explained. “I doubt we will raise excess, but if we do, we have to install septic, the siding needs to be replaced, and we’ll need to fix any interior damage caused in the actual move.”

The fundraiser auction will be facilitated by Myers Jackson from Texas Flip and Move. Among the items up for raffle and auction include a guided fishing trip, two sides of beef, and about a dozen other gift basket/certificates, with value from $75 to $600. The raffle will also offer roughly a dozen $25 to $50 gift certificates.

“We currently house seven in two homes – the second home is in Waxahachie – and we have had this house donated for property we own in Palmer, which could take us to 10 veterans.”

The homes in Waxahachie and Palmer stay full and she added, “Even before our last graduate moved out, I had a marine and his two girls waiting.”

Other assistance Serenity Veterans Village needs includes volunteers to help run the just opened thrift store. The store is taking donations, and items can be dropped off at 1114 Epps Road, Palmer. 

Andrade said she also needs about five more people to help with the November fundraiser – selling tickets and taking auction winner/item/price information. 

Serenity Veterans Village is connected with veterans generally through referral by hospitals, the VFW, and other non-profits. Andrade said most have PTSD and try to remain to themselves. 

For more information, visit Serenityveteransvillage.org. Tickets for event are already on sale at https://serenity-veterans-village-inc.ticketleap.com/serenity-veterans-village-live-music-comedy-and-more.