SUPPORTING VETERANS
The desire to help disabled veterans has a caregiver asking for help with the higher-than-expected cost of opening of a personal care home for veterans in Jones County.
Linda Battle is state licensed and has been operating personal care homes, Christian Care PCA, for 21 years. She currently has facilities for disabled adults in Milledgeville and Haddock.
The caregiver said she has been getting calls for a place for disabled veterans. Battle said because the veterans needing care are men, she does not want to house them with her older ladies.
Battle went before Jones County’s Planning and Zoning Commission with her plan for a facility located at 1867 Eatonton Highway that could accommodate six veterans. The next step was approval by the Jones County Board of Commissioners, and she received that at their Nov. 1 meeting.
After clearing those hurdles, she started working on renovation of the doublewide mobile home that she has owned for more than 10 years. Her plan for the facility includes a fenced area on two acres, where the veterans could have a garden.
Battle soon found out, due to the high cost of everything needed to make the home handicapped accessible and compliant with state codes, she needed help. Ramps for the front and rear of the home are already in place and a lot of work has been done on the inside, such as widening doors and new floors and carpet.
But there is much that remains to be done.
The caregiver called on a friend, Ronnie Hinson with Sonrise Ministries, and he is already assisting with the heating and air unit. It was Hinson’s idea to contact the newspaper to seek help from the community.
He said people in Jones County have a heart for veterans and always want to help.
Battle said the big items needed are flat screen TVs for the veterans’ rooms, a van and a gas stove (propane). She said the facility will also need adult pullups, towels and wash cloths, and a stocked pantry before it can open. She said the veterans will also need clothes.
Battle said residents always come with some clothes, but they never have enough.
The caregiver already has some furniture in the home, but more items are needed. Hinson said the donations can be made through Sonrise Ministries, which means everything donated, including monetary donations, are tax deductible.
Battle said the veterans will have care 24/7, and she is excited about being able to meet this need.
“People have been calling me about veterans for years, but I’ve had to turn them down. I had nowhere to put them,” she said.
Hinson asked anyone wanting to help to contact him by texting or calling him at 478-9723500 or by email ronniemgv@aol.com.
To reach Battle, call 478-932-8264 or 478-387-6394.
DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
