M.A.P.S. goes nonprofit

Published 10:41 am Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Last Wednesday the Military Assistance Support Personnel group (M.A.P.S.) officially became a nonprofit organization.

The concept of M.A.P.S. was introduced to St. Clair County last year by former veteran and now veterans advocate Greg Jacobik.  Jacobik worked with St, Clair County organizations to bring together a new organization to provide assistance and support to veterans locally.  M.A.P.S. has worked with groups like Lakeside Hospice, the Red Cross, veterans and other community leaders to get the nonprofit started.

Under the direction of seven veteran advocates, Greg Jacobik, Carol Varner, Otto Fox, Mike Strickland, Herschel Denny, John Carter and Dale Onstine, M.A.P.S. will work with any veteran seeking assistance.  

Lyle Harmon, an attorney in Pell City helped the group work through the legal process of starting a nonprofit organization. “This has been a great opportunity for me to assist seven great individuals in helping veterans in St. Clair County,” attorney Harmon said.  

The nonprofit will provide information and resources for medical care, financial assistance, education as well as employment opportunities and other needs as they arise.  But the first step is identifying people who need help.

“We need to know who you are and where you are,” veteran Otto Fox said.  “It’s so important to register with the VA.”

Services provided by M.A.P.S are available for any veteran.  No registration or membership is necessary.

“Our goal is to be transparent with our resources. This way we can get resources to people who need them,” Jacobik said.

The nonprofit hopes to become a valuable asset to veterans who often get overlooked or don’t know where to turn.

“We want to focus on the ones who fell through the cracks, the ones who are struggling,” Fox said.

“I hope we will be able to unite people with M.A.P.S. to help expand M.A.P.S. in St. Clair County,” John Carter said.

M.A.P.S. welcomes volunteers, and they are still looking for veteran advocates in Ashville, Odenville, Springville and the Argo-Margaret communities.  If you are interested in working with M.A.P.S., please contact Greg Jacobik at gregjacobik@gmail.com.