Renee Elder, Veterans Empowering Veterans chief executive

Renee Elder, Veterans Empowering Veterans chief executive officer, explains her organization's mission to Chaplain (Col.) Kristina Moeller, and Master Sgt. Anthony Pamplin, both with the U.S. Army Reserve Command Chaplain's Office, in Fayetteville, N.C., Aug. 2, 2012. The USARC Chaplain's Office collected hundreds of sundry items from soldiers and civilian employees to donate to the V.E.V. According to Elder, the V.E.V. is a veteran owned non-profit with the mission to get homeless veterans back on their feet by becoming productive members of society. "We're giving a hand up, not a hand out," Elder said. "We heal the soul first, and the rest of the body and mind will follow."