"They've changed my life": Nation's Finest celebrates 50 years with fundraiser for vets
ANDERSON, Calif. — — Less than a year ago veteran Brian Holland was struggling with homelessness and a drinking problem. Then one day, on his way to get a drink, someone stopped him and asked if he needed help.
In that brief moment, he paused, and saw a flyer that changed his life.
“Next thing I know I saw pictured the flyer at the door of the mission for Nations Finest that they can help homeless veterans, so I said I’m going to go talk to them,” Holland said. “So many people that they’ve changed their lives. they’ve changed my life.”
Nation's Finest is a non-profit that helps veterans in need get services like mental health care, housing help, and more.
They just celebrated 50 years and Michele Alexander, the Redding Site Director, said they put on a cornhole tournament at multiple locations across several states as the start to the celebration. All proceeds go to helping the vets.
“It’s an honor to be able to help veterans that fought for us and when they’re in need,” Alexander said. “And for everybody to show up today and support our veterans, it makes me really happy.”
Alexander said 35 teams showed up to the Anderson event on Saturday, each paying $60 to enter.
“This community is awesome and they support veterans very much and it's important that they know there are still a lot of veterans that need help in the Redding and Chico area,” Alexander said.
As for Brian, he is now more than nine months sober thanks to the help of Nation's Finest. He said he’s grateful for the community’s support and for any other veterans who are struggling, he said there is hope.
“Don’t give up, never give up,” Brian said. “The world is hard, life is hard but you can’t give up. There’s always a chance of recovery.”
If you weren't able to make it out you can still donate on through the Nation's Finest website.
