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Jupiter West, Page 3
      Bringing Smiles To Wounded Veterans



      WVRF’s Dental Program



      By Chrystal D. Rambarath                           return home, they also face new dangers – threats that make   home to the third largest population of veterans in the United
         Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer:   their transition to civilian life difficult. One silent, almost   States – more than 1.5 million people. The nonprofit supports
       What do these afflictions have in common? According to   undetectable threat can be found in their mouths. As many   veterans who served in World War II through present day
       the Center for Disease Control, these and other chronic   as 92 percent of veterans served by the Veteran’s Affairs   conflicts. To date, over 10,000 veterans and their families
       conditions can be linked to poor oral health. While in some   system are ineligible for dental care benefits. Only honorably   have received more than $5 million in direct financial
       cases, it is yet to be determined if poor oral health causes   discharged veterans with a 100 percent service-connected   assistance. WVRF’s intervention and work literally keeps
       these conditions, it is undeniable that many illnesses can   disability qualify for dental care through the VA. Thankfully,   veteran families from becoming homeless. Beyond this
       be detected during routine dental checkups. Encouragingly,   nonprofits often fill the gaps left unserved by the government   support, WVRF is also a major advocate of veterans and
       good oral hygiene and treatment can reduce heart attacks by   and the private sector.               an ally as they confront obstacles before them. Their most
       35 percent. Though that is good news for Americans who     The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), established   recent challenge has been to expand dental care access for
       have dental insurance and those that adhere to their biannual   in 2009, was created to support Florida’s disabled veterans   veterans and the launch of their dental program.
       checkups, there is a segment of our population for whom   by relieving the financial strains that prevent their transition     During an emergency dental examination made possible
       this basic care is out of reach.                  to civilian life. They provide temporary emergency financial   by WVRF, it was detected that one of their veterans was
         Our veterans face danger of all sorts: enemy fire,   assistance to qualified disabled veterans. The impact of   suffering from oral cancer. That timely examination caught
       biological and chemical threats, and more. But upon their   WVRF’s work is tremendous, considering that Florida is   an oral cancer that could have been fatal. This startling
                                                                                                           realization and the discovery of just how few veterans can
                                                                                                           access dental care prompted WVRF to do something. With
         Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade from page 1      About Marine Industries Association Of Palm Beach   support of their board of directors and the partnership of one
                                                         County                                            local dentist, WVRF began to bridge this gap in health care
         inception, the MIAPBC has donated over $2.5 million to     The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County   for veterans. The lives of at least two veterans were saved
         local nonprofit organizations and scholarship candidates.  Inc. (MIAPBC) is a not-for-profit organization formed in   by early diagnoses during a dental examination.
           “The MIAPBC is proud to bring the community together   1986. Their mission is to promote and protect the sound     In addition to overall physical health, poor oral health is
         and give back through this annual event. It has become an   growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County for the   also a contributing factor to mental health illnesses. Veterans
         honored tradition for so many people throughout the years.   benefit and education of its members, the community, and the   have shared that they stopped smiling and experienced poor
         As always, we hope to give back even more than the previous   environment. The MIAPBC brings the community two annual   self-esteem, shame, depression, and job rejections because
         year, not only to this event, but to all the organizations and   signature events: the Palm Beach International Boat Show   of the aesthetics and state of their mouths. Gum disease,
         events we help fund throughout the entire year,” said Alyssa   and the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade. The Palm Beach   chronic bad breath, tooth decay, and mouth sores result in
         Freeman, executive director of MIAPBC.          International Boat Show features billions of dollars of yachts   loss of confidence among veterans as well. These conditions
           The MIAPBC invites local businesses to participate as a   and accessories with an economic impact of $682 million   also jeopardize veterans’ ability to secure a stable job, a
         sponsor with packages ranging from $250 to $10,000 with   statewide and $84 million in Palm Beach County. MIAPBC   critical aspect of their transition to civilian life. With little
         varying benefits including business exposure on television,   supports over 40 local marine-related events and nonprofits   financial safety nets, a job keeps veterans and their families
         radio, print, digital, social media, and public relations. A   that protect and promote the marine industry in Palm Beach   with roofs over their heads. With the increased demand
         sponsorship guarantees access to the exclusive VIP viewing   County and beyond with a portion providing scholarships   among veterans for mental health care, it is imperative that
         party with premium views of the boat parade, entertainment,   to deserving students. Since its inception, the MIAPBC has   access to dental care be expanded.
         food, and open bar.                             donated over $2.5 million to local nonprofit organizations     In 2020, WVRF launched their fledgling dental program.
           Register your boat today and be part of this holiday   and scholarship candidates.              It was piloted in Palm Beach County and offers emergency
         tradition. The parade features up to 80 holiday-themed boats     Calendar listing: 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4 – The   dental assistance to qualified veterans. These veterans must
         and yachts that begin in North Palm Beach and travel by the   Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County’s   have a 10 percent or more service-connected disability
         MIAPBC headquarters in North Palm Beach up to the Jupiter   27th annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Toy   rating or have an active pending claim, be a Florida resident
         Inlet Lighthouse where a panel of judges evaluates each vessel   Drive, benefiting Toys for Tots and Little Smiles. The   currently residing in Florida, have been honorably discharged
         based on lights, enthusiasm, and themed-decor. The entering   parade begins in North Palm Beach and navigates up the   from the military, and need emergency dental care. It is the
         vessels are eligible for up to $10,000 in cash and prizes. All   Intracoastal Waterway ending at 8 p.m. at the iconic Jupiter   WVRF’s intention that the dental program will be expanded,
         vessels must be registered by Nov. 30. For more information   Inlet Lighthouse. For more information visit marinepbc.org   with a location for dental services in each of Florida’s 67
         visit, marinepbc.org or call (561) 863-0012.    or call (561) 863-0012.                           counties. In the interim, the nonprofit has the support of at
                                                                                                           least 10 local dentists who are ready to donate their services.
                                                                                                             Whatever their reasons for serving, veterans are bound
         Have Medicare questions? I have answers.                                                          by a profound sense of duty and uphold the defense of
                                                                                                           American values. They willingly risk their lives and make
                                                                                                           great  sacrifices  so  that  their  fellow  citizens  can  enjoy
                                                                                                           freedom, liberty, and all rights that our citizenship allows.
                                                                                                           When they return home, and in their time of need, it is
                                                                                                           our turn to support them. We hope that you are moved by
                                 Kathy Olejniczak                                                          the tribulations that confront them. If you are able, we
                                                                                                           call upon your generosity to expand the critical services
                                 Licensed Sales Agent                                                      that the dental program offers. You may donate your time,
                                 561-212-7640, TTY 711                                                     skills, or supplies, attend an event, become an advocate,
                                                                                                           or simply spread news of this essential endeavor among
                                                                                                           your family, friends, and networks. To get involved or find
                                                                                                           out more, please call (561) 855-4207, visit www.wvrf.org,
                                                                                                           find us at the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund on Facebook
                                                                                                           and LinkedIn, or follow us at WVReliefFund on Twitter
                                                                                                           and Instagram. As former President Calvin Coolidge once
                                                                                                           said, “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself
         Y0066_21SPRJ55188_C
                                                                                                           forgotten.”
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