'House To House For Heroes' Coming To Braintree Veterans Day Weekend

Community Corner

'House To House For Heroes' Coming To Braintree Veterans Day Weekend The event, hosted by the Norfolk County Sheriff, will see volunteers visiting veterans as a tribute to those who served.

News release from Norfolk County Sheriff's Office.

BRAINTREE, MA — Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott has announced the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office will host a veterans-focused "House to House for Heroes" on Saturday, November 9th involving dozens of volunteers who will visit the homes of veterans in Braintree to share vital information about the important resources and new benefits available to them. Sheriff McDermott will be joined at the kickoff by Braintree Mayor Erin V. Joyce.

House to House for Heroes will take place on Veterans Day weekend, starting with a special ceremony at the department's Braintree Public Safety Complex, located at 2015 Washington Street, in Braintree before the army of volunteers head out to connect with veterans, in partnership with the Braintree Veteran Services Office.

"The selfless service, patriotic duty and unwavering dedication of our veterans should never be forgotten," said Sheriff McDermott. "We stand to honor their sacrifices by making sure their needs are met after their military careers come to a close, so no veteran feels forgotten or left behind."

Norfolk County residents who are interested in joining us in this effort as volunteers can sign up here.

"The Town of Braintree is dedicated to meeting the needs of our veterans and continues to do more to recognize their life-altering sacrifices to our country," said Mayor Erin V. Joyce. "I am proud to support House to House for Heroes which helps connect veterans in the privacy of their own homes with the resources they have earned but that they may not be aware of."

The volunteers will carry with them a packet of information that includes a letter thanking the veterans for their service, helpful information about how to apply for assistance and health benefits from Veterans Affairs, details about housing and employment opportunities, information about newly-available state benefits, as well as contacts for many veteran-based agencies.

With the rollout of the state's new Hero Act, signed by the Healey-Driscoll Administration in August, this effort could not be timelier. The Hero Act affects hundreds of thousands of veterans across Massachusetts, and the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office wants to make sure they are aware of these landmark new benefits, which include:

· An increase in the Disabled Veteran Annuity

· Expanded access to behavioral health treatment

· An allowance for cities and towns to double property tax exemptions

· Expansion of the definition of Veteran Dependent

· Protection of the sales tax exemption

· Codified medical and dental assistance benefits

"As the son of a World War II veteran, I realize how important is to prioritize the needs of our veterans," said Sheriff McDermott. "My office is prepared to expand this outreach effort by working with Veteran Service Officers across Norfolk County to get this essential new information to the men and women who served our country with distinction."

Veterans who live in the Town of Braintree who are unsure if they are registered as a veteran, should contact the Town of Braintree Veteran Services Office at 781-794-8217.

House to House for Heroes - Schedule of Events

Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024

Location: Braintree Public Safety Complex, 2015 Washington Street, Braintree, MA

Time: 9:30 a.m. Volunteer Arrival & Veteran Houses Assigned

Please Note: House to House for Heroes will happen rain or shine. Events at the public safety complex, before and after the outreach, will take place under a covered pavilion.