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SERVING PROJECT INC.
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July 2012
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by Greg Girard
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Category: Featured
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During their conversation, Buck described to Field how difficult it is for disabled veterans to travel for their medical needs - the expense and distance often forcing veterans to neglect medical procedures and let prescriptions lapse.
Not one to chalk moments up to mere chance, Field felt the meeting with Buck was more than just a casual conversation and he set out to find a solution to the problem. In 2009, he founded Serving Project Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping the needs of disabled veterans and the mobility challenged.
"As far as I'm concerned," says Field, "these guys have already paid. They have sacrificed some of themselves for their nation. And so we need to respect them, appreciate them and take the time with them to show we actually care and are not taking them for granted."
Field, who has a background in refurbishing motor homes, found a bus and refit it to make it fully accessible to the disabled. "We have built what I've been told is the first vehicle with a full wheelchair-accessible washroom to transport disabled veterans."
The bus is 60 feet long, has hardwood flooring, a stonewall facade and five wheelchair docks, each with outlet plugs and lighting. The washroom has a heated ceramic tile floor and a walk-in tub with therapeutic massage. It also has a full kitchen and a customizable room with beds and extra seating, and meets all the requirements under the American Disabilities Act.
"When I started, I was changing light bulbs for amputees," Field recalls. "We started by saying, 'Hey, let us come and help you do those little things that you used to be able to do.' We're not talking about rebuilding a house but we're talking about changing a hot water tank, putting a fence back up after a storm, simple things." And it grew from there.
"I know groups all over the country doing this now," says Field. "And we're trying to connect with other groups so when a person calls me from Spokane, Wash., we can refer them to a local handyman or group that will help."
Field relies on donations and sponsorships to keep the bus going. "I love what I do. I'm not in it for the money because there isn't any. We've taken an idea and made it real."
Now Field - in addition to continuing his work helping with transportation and odd jobs - speaks on behalf of disabled veterans across the country, shows the bus at conventions and parades, and helps veterans in ways he never would have imagined.
"Recently I had fun with a group of World War II veterans who were given the privilege of flying in a refurbished WWII bomber," says Field. "I was their transportation to the airfield. The cool part was one of the directors of Quilts of Valor came to the airport and gave the veterans a personal lap quilt.
"To see the look on their face and the appreciation for what we're able to do for them, that is more than enough gratitude."
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