Category: News

DTRT Retail Operations to Halt; Vet Emergency Services Continue

---

Effective immediately, DTRT is CLOSED FOR RETAIL SHOPPING. Out of an abundance of caution for our staff we will comply with the 30-day stay-at-home directive issued by the State of Florida.

There will be staff on site to assist in any vet emergencies that may occur. There will be no pickups at this time unless it is something directly needed for a vet household. Each request will be evaluated on a case by case basis. NO EXCEPTIONS.

On-site donations can be made, but again only if they have an immediate use for a vet. We suggest calling ahead to check on that before leaving your residence.

Remember, the best way to stop this is to STAY HOME.

We wish all of you good health and safety during this difficult time and we'll see you again soon.

--Jerry

May 30, 2019 - In case you missed it, Down The Road Thrift was featured on the 6 PM broadcast of News 6 as the winner of the "Getting Results Award"!

Here is some of that article that appeared on their website:

COCOA, Fla. - Jerry Vaughan and Bobbie Warner have helped house and furnish the apartments of 142 veterans in Brevard County.

Their nonprofit, Down The Road Thrift in Cocoa, is a one-stop shop, providing clothing and basic necessities to any veteran in need.

Jerry Vaughan, a Navy veteran whose father and grandfather also served, said that with Brevard County's large veteran population, there's a need.

"This store was put together to address the issues of the homeless and in-need veterans in Brevard," Vaughan said. "It's just our way of doing the right thing and giving back to the community," 

According to the VA and the Florida Council on Homelessness Annual Report, homelessness among veterans in Florida has been effectively cut in half since 2011.

A significant reason for the substantial decrease are national initiatives to end veteran homelessness."

To read more on this article, please visit News 6's website at https://www.clickorlando.com/news/thrift-store-supports-veterans-getting-back-on-their-feet

Thank you News 6 and of course thank you to all who help to support the store and it's mission!

As of April 1, 2019, Down The Road is now at it's NEW location, more centrally located in Cocoa, Florida!

We will post pictures soon!

(VIERA, FL) – The bonds forged by brothers and sisters in arms remain strong long after discharge from military service. So it should come as no surprise that the debt of service is uppermost in the minds of the retired residents of Indian River Colony Club in Viera. On May 1, the charitable foundation for the patriotic neighborhood of military veterans presented a check for $2,000 to Down The Road Thrift, to assist the store with its signature mission: supporting veterans in need. Down the Road Thrift is a 501c3 organization, benefiting veterans in need and their families by providing clothing and basic necessities at no charge. The monies donated by the IRCC Foundation will aid in the purchase of household items needed by down and out veterans, as well as for assisting homeless vets with the transition to housing. Down the Road Thrift, Inc. is located at 4657 S. US Hwy 1 in Rockledge. IRCC Foundation Chairman, Skip Taylor commented on Indian River Colony Club's history of charitable giving. "IRCC has maintained a patriotic culture centered on service to others from our very beginning in 1986," said Taylor. "Through the generosity of the IRCC community, our Foundation will continue to support veterans causes, to help our brothers and sisters in need." Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club is known as "The Place Patriots Call Home." A haven for military retirees, the par-72 private golf course community has a patriotic culture and country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000 or visit their website at www.IndianRiverColonyClub.com. ## PHOTO attached (PHOTO COURTESY OF IRCC): The Indian River Colony Club Foundation assisted homeless veterans through a $2,000 donation to Down the Road Thrift Store. The store helps the veterans with basic home furnishings at no charge. Pictured left to right: Julie Thurn Roberts, IRCC CFO; Jerry Vaughan, General Manager; Skip Taylor, IRCC Foundation Chairman; Larry Logan, IRCC Foundation Vice-Chairman; Bobbie Warner, Director of Down the Road Thrift. For more information, call 321-255-6000. About Indian River Colony Club – Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club was originally conceived as a retirement destination for military retirees. IRCC began to take shape in 1986, its vision to create a private country club-like environment for members. Membership has now expanded to include non-military personnel who want the energetic, patriotic lifestyle cultivated by three decades of members. Still predominantly a haven for military veterans, IRCC maintains a culture centered on service to others. IRCC is a gated golf course community of nearly 800 homes on 453 acres in Viera, owned entirely by its membership. “The Place Patriots Call Home” enjoys 24-hour gated security, a generous maintenance package and a full complement of newly renovated and 100% debt-free country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over, including an 18-hole, par-72 private golf course. The patriotic neighborhood was named one of the 2018 Top 20 Golf Communities in North America by Golf Course Home Network. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000 or visit their website at www.IndianRiverColonyClub.com. ABOUT DOWN THE ROAD THRIFT -- Owners of Down the Road Thrift, Inc., Jerry Vaughan and Bobbie Warner always enjoyed shopping at thrift stores. Jerry is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Bobbie is the daughter of a Navy veteran, so when they decided to open their own thrift store, they knew it would be geared toward helping veterans and those living outdoors in homeless veterans’ camps. Down the Road Thrift, Inc. is a 501c3 organization, benefiting veterans in need and their families by providing clothing and basic necessities at no charge. It is located at 4657 S. US Hwy 1 in Rockledge, Florida, 32955. The motto for the unique non-profit endeavor is, A Veteran Helping Veterans. To make a monetary donation, request a pickup of household goods or for more information, visit www.DowntheRoadThrift.org or call (321) 349-0134.