A group of Santa Clarita Valley military veterans are working to give back to other local veterans with SCV Vets 4 Vets, a new service organization for veterans.

SCV Vets 4 Vets was created by veterans who “really want to help other veterans,” said Chuck Morris, a member of the group.

“We decided that what we wanted to do was to form a group to help nonprofits,” Morris said, adding the group plans to help one nonprofit at a time, instead of spreading funds and resources thin.

Helping Local Veterans

This ensures the maximum amount of help is given to the nonprofit of choice, he added.

Morris worked to set up the Traveling Vietnam Wall event last year, and is also a member of the Friendly Valley Veterans Club.

R.J. Kelly, Jim Lentini, Bill Reynolds, Renard Thomas and Greg Nutter, most of whom were honored earlier this year by representatives for the Habitat for Humanity for the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys, came up with the idea to create the group.

“We do not want to be a 501c3 but we are designed to help other 501c3s, preferably other veteran nonprofits in the valley,” Morris said. “Of our population in Santa Clarita, 8 percent are veterans, which means there are about 18,000 veterans in our valley.”

The group is planning to host events for the month of November, which they have dubbed “Veteran’s Month” because of Veteran’s Day, on Nov. 11, and the Marine Corps birthday, on Nov. 10.

Events include a golf tournament at Robinson’s Ranch, free Knott’s Berry Farm trips Nov. 13 and one on Nov. 22 and a movie night at the Canyon Theatre Guild on Nov. 15.

“We are having meetings with different associations and trying to get participation and sponsorships from other companies and businesses in Santa Clarita,” Morris said. “Being as new as we are, we thought that by having the events in November, we can let people know who we are and what we are. Nonprofits can come to us and say ‘Hey this is what we need’.”

For more information about SCV Vets 4 Vets, contact Chuck Morris at chucknbarbm@yahoo.com or R.J. Kelly at rjkelly39@hotmail.com.