Comedy fundraiser benefits veterans in recovery

When Marti MacGibbon isn’t speaking to inspire and encourage behavioral health and medical professionals, or working on her second book or traveling between California and Indiana, you will find her raising awareness and funds for HVAF and other recovery housing programs in Indy. The addiction treatment professional first learned about HVAF from a colleague, an LCSW at the Veterans Administration. 

She is giving back to those who served our country.

In 2011 Marti and her husband, Chris Fitzhugh, created Laff-Aholics Standup Comedy Benefit for Recovery,  an annual event in Indianapolis that features nationally headlining comedians. All profits from the show go to local organizations, like HVAF, that provide transitional housing and access to treatment for recovering addicts and alcoholics.

HVAF was at the top of her mind for her charity of choice to support through a comedy fundraiser in 2015. Veterans have been near and dear to her heart.  Marti’s father was a WWII veteran and her cousin was a Vietnam veteran who passed away before he turned 40.

Laff-Aholics at HVAF

On October 10, 2015, Marti and her team at Laff-Aholics held a comedy fundraiser at the Indianapolis Museum of Art for HVAF’s Residential, Substance Abuse, Treatment (recovery) program, and another beneficiary, Foundation for Court Promoted Recovery. The show raised $11,450 in all, and HVAF's split totaled $5,775.00. Up to twenty-two veterans are enrolled in REST program at one time and receive intensive case management as they go through the 12-step recovery program.

Marti says that hope, healing and courage have helped her to overcome her own life challenges. In 1986 and 1987, Marti was homeless in California, sleeping under bridges and in abandoned houses. Today, she's an advocate for people who are currently homeless, and as a speaker, she works to dispel stigma surrounding homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. 

“I was a professional standup comic, with a Tonight Show appearance scheduled, when I went into a downward spiral. For nearly ten years, I struggled with addiction and severe PTSD, but when I got into recovery, I turned my life around. Recovery is the key! I returned to professional standup and traveled the U.S., performing in clubs, and at colleges and universities. Now I am a nationally known humorous motivational speaker, and a nationally award-winning author.” says Marti.

Now with a mix of hope and humor Marti is putting her experiences and passion toward helping others. Since its inception in 2011, Laff-Aholics has raised nearly $40,000 for beneficiaries.

Support special fundraiser on Veterans Day, 11-11-15

Help us raise funds for homeless veterans in Central Indiana during Operation Alpha 2015: A Benefit for HVAF at 4pm on Wednesday, November 11 (Veterans Day) hosted by Hotel Tango. More than 200 homeless veterans rely on HVAF’s supportive housing each month as well as an additional 500 veterans through services and programs as well as outreach efforts. Services provided to homeless veterans at HVAF include housing, employment services, transportation to and from appointments, food, clothes and hygiene items.

Order your ticket here: www.hvaf.org.

Fletcher Place veteran owned business to hold fundraiser for HVAF

Join us this Veterans Day, 11/11, at Hotel Tango for Operation Alpha 2015 A Benefit for HVAF. Your ticket purchase of $35 includes one specialty drink, a light meal, music and good conversation with friends while supporting HVAF’s work in returning homeless veterans to self-sufficiency. 

Order tickets here: http://www.hvafofindiana.org/hotel-tango-fundraiser/.

Hotel Tango is the first disabled veteran owned artisan distillery in the U.S. HVAF's mission is to provide housing and reintegration services to veterans experiencing homelessness and administer programs and services to prevent at-risk veterans from becoming homeless.

Support Friends of HVAF fundraising program

Your support of our Friends of HVAF fundraising program enables us to respond quickly and provide relief to homeless veterans.

Your contribution of $1,000 a year through Friends of HVAF can furnish an apartment for a veteran for one year. When you become a Friend of HVAF, you are more than a donor. You are a partner. A partner in our shared work to return honorable U.S. military veterans to self-sufficiency after living through homelessness, substance abuse and other life challenges.

HVAF created the Friends of HVAF program to steward special partnerships with people and organizations who want a unique opportunity to serve the brave men and women who have served all of us.

BECOME A FRIEND OF HVAF AT THIS LINK

Volunteer group organizes Cut-A-Thon

Lestra Huls, a U.S. Navy veteran and hair stylist at Class Act Hair Studio in Monrovia, organized her first cut-a-thon fundraiser to benefit HVAF and says it was well worth the effort. She teamed up with friend Wilma Lee, Club Manager and Jr. Vice President for the Ladies Auxiliary for Mooresville Post #1111.

The two contacted businesses for donated raffle items and for one day customers at the salon participated in the Cut-A-Thon by making a monetary donation before leaving. The women said people gave from the heart. Customers that day included veterans from Mooresville, Monrovia, and Martinsville.

"Coordinating a Cut-A-Thon was a way our salon could give back to the community and also the event helped build a stronger team," says Huls, adding that she usually has no problem getting the salon staff involved.

Others involved in promoting and supporting the event included VFW Riders, American Legion Riders, VFW, and American Legion members.

The Cut-A-Thon raised roughly 48-hundred dollars for HVAF.

Lestra Huls (left) with Rachel Anderson of HVAF

Unique Home Solutions commitment to U.S. veterans

On Saturday, November 9 at 4:00 p.m., Unique Home Solutions, one of the largest home remodeling companies in Indiana, will hold a Pig Roast dinner at Sully’s Bar & Grill to benefit HVAF. The Pig Roast is a culmination of a year-long effort and more than $10,000 dollars has already been raised.

“I admired my cousins who served in the military and I saw the sacrifices they made and that moved me,” says Bob Dillon, CEO of Unique Home Solutions.

Bob learned about HVAF through his corporate attorney, Russell Cox, who also serves as an HVAF Founding member and current board member. Now Bob’s Unique Home Solutions team of 150 is raising awareness and funds through this fundraiser.

“This was an opportunity for Unique Home Solutions to show our support of military members.”

Space is limited. Tickets: $12 per person or $20 for 2. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit HVAF. Purchase tickets online at http://uniquehomesolutions.org/unique-home-solutions-commitment-to-us-veterans.