A house-warming for veterans

After nearly 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, Tony Miller found himself living on the streets of Los Angeles.

The 54-year-old said he thought people in L.A. were judgmental and not very helpful. So he moved to Orange County last year with hopes of escaping the homeless life and found the new area to be more welcoming.

Not only that, but the housing situation was better, and Miller eventually got an apartment in Tustin with the help of a social worker.

And thanks to the nonprofit Patriots and Paws, he was able to turn his new apartment into a home.

“It’s the best thing that’s happened to me,” said Miller, who served in the military from 1978 to 1997.

Patriots and Paws, based in Orange, provides veterans with practical home furnishings and pets that can serve as companions. Founder Penny Lambright describes the organization as a “cashless thrift store” where veterans and their immediate family members can request — through an online form at patriotsandpars.org — used, donated items like lamps, tables, TVs and dishes.

The Huntington Beach resident said she started the organization in 2011 after her nephew, a military officer, helped her realize how often veterans need help. When Lambright would send care packages to her nephew, she would often send items for other soldiers as well.

“A lot of times when our young kids are deployed, they send home money, and when they get home, they return to nothing,” she said, noting desertions of service members by spouses, families and the government.

In other cases, returning veterans struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder or other problems that make it difficult to readjust to civilian life, Lambright said.

The furniture and accessories that are donated to Patriots and Paws are stored in a warehouse until they are ready to be picked up by veterans in need.

“We are basically the outlet,” Lambright said. “The people in the community who give to us are the electricity. The veterans are the lamps. Without the outlet, the two won’t get connected and the lamps won’t light up.

“I’m hoping, and know, that what we are doing is lighting up people’s lives and making a difference.”

Since its start, Patriots and Paws has helped more than 2,000 veterans, Lambright estimates.

But getting the goods to the veterans can prove difficult at times. The organization often must rent trucks and vans, which can be costly and cut into the funding. Lambright said the organization accepts cash donations as well as goods.

The nonprofit also works with the Westminster Adoption Group (WAGS) to provide cats, dogs and rabbits free to veterans. The animals are current on shots and have been neutered and microchipped.

“I took my two passions, for the military and the animals,” Lambright said. “To me, they go hand in hand. Our military come home injured in one fashion or another and get treated in a way that I don’t feel they should. This is the same way a lot of animals get treated.

“By pairing the two of them, you’re helping to save two lives in one. A veteran needs someone who they can talk to and who won’t judge them. And a pet’s love is unconditional, and there’s a sense of companionship.”

The adoptions also help WAGS further its initiative to help animals.

WAGS shelter coordinator Cortney Dorney said knowing the animals are being adopted by veterans means a lot to her organization.

“To know they’re going for a specific purpose, to help with PTSD and any number of service-type jobs, is really a neat thing for us, which is why we continue to partner with Patriots and Paws,” she said.

More than 1,000 people have volunteered at Patriots and Paws since its beginning. A core group of about four volunteers upwards of 60 hours each per week.

Andrew McInnes, 39, of Costa Mesa served as a commercial deep sea diver in the Australian Air Force until he retired and moved to the United States. He volunteers at Patriots and Paws.

“I heard about this place and have spent a bit of time here now,” he said. “I met someone today and we realized we were in Baghdad at the same time.”

On a recent day, McInnes was at the Patriots and Paws warehouse to help Miller find a dining room table and television for his new apartment. Lambright was also there to help.

After the van was packed with the furnishings and some VHS tapes, Miller went up to Lambright, smiled, extended his arms and embraced her.

“This is another piece to my puzzle,” Miller said. “My outlook on people has changed a lot since I’ve been out here because I know nice people now. For someone to take the time and really want to help vets, you can’t beat it. They put me in a position where I could be comfortable and happy.”