Reading in 2007 about the neglect and frustration faced by U.S. military veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center led Menlo Park resident Dana Hendrickson to explore volunteer opportunities at the Palo Alto VA Hospital. Soon after he learned about the micro finance nonprofit Kiva, which sparked the idea for Rebuild Hope, a non-profit he launched in June 2008.
Rebuild Hope’s mission is to make it possible for individual Americans to help veterans and their families overcome short term financial problems and build healthier and more stable civilian lives. The organization facilitates self-directed donations to the families of severely wounded veterans through an online financial support network and helps beneficiaries develop realistic budgets.
Eager to spread the word about Rebuild Hope, Dana can sometimes be seen near Menlo’s farmer’s market on Sunday or outside Draeger’s where he uses his considerable charm to walk people through the donation process and let them know how else they can help.
Photo by Chris Gulker
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