Local veterans have been receiving a pleasant surprise recently: a “Buddy Check” phone call courtesy of the American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral.

Withe the call, local veterans were made aware that the American Legion was standing by to assist the veteran or family in any way possible during this difficult time and is always here to help them whether the vet is a member of Post 90 or not.

The “Buddy Check” system was initiated locally by the Post 90 Adjutant Brian “Taz” Gehling. He recognized the Posts’ Marketing Committee is well trained in customer service and requested they call the approximate 1,000 members of the Post.

Ted Clark, the chair of the Marketing Committee, quickly coordinated the project.

Clark stated that “Given the coronavirus pandemic is affecting us all, the ‘Buddy Check’ program is more important now than ever before. The idea is to connect with veterans who may need assistance but don’t know where to go or who to ask. For example, if we learn of someone in need, we can offer them a ride or deliver groceries and in short, be there for them.”

The team has called over 120 veterans so far.

Amy O’Neill, one of the team members, stated “that although there are very few vets that said they had needs, when they did, we immediately referred them to the Post’s Service Officer, Taz Gehling, for follow up.”

Clark and a third team member, Bill McKernan, said that their experiences reflected O’Neill’s in that few of the vets contacted expressed any needs. However, they were happy someone was checking on them, especially if they lived alone and were elderly.

The Post plans to continue calls for the next two weeks or until the active and expired membership list is exhausted.

Chapter 90’s Commander Nick Napolitano stated it was the Legion’s way of giving back to the community during this uncertain time.

“This was for the veterans.”

For more information, call Clark, Marketing Chair for Post 90, at 845-527-7948