Ready to Drive Forward: Giving Veterans a Fighting Chance

“Holy cow! Wow!”

“That’s really unbelievable!”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Jeff Cantor of Marlboro, NJ, was overjoyed when he got the shocking news from Citizens: He was getting a new car.

But the elation he felt wasn't just about the hybrid vehicle; it was for what it would allow him to do. This would help alleviate stress at home and to bring light into the lives of veterans struggling at home with PTSD, isolation, mobility issues, and depression.

Serving others is nothing new to Colonel Cantor and his family.

The veteran service member enjoyed a successful 32-year professional military career that propelled him up the ranks and through many tours in faraway places – from Cameroon to the Balkans to Afghanistan and Iraq.

But it was Colonel Cantor’s passion for serving others and camaraderie with service members that fueled him to go even further: to volunteer in and eventually run the Veterans Foundation of America, a 501(c)3 that offers outdoor therapy to help support veterans.

On a mission to bring veterans into the light together

Though Colonel Cantor has participated in and run complex military operations, his mission in operating the Veterans Foundation of America was quite simple and noble: to bring veterans together to give them a fighting chance. Colonel Cantor was involved in the organization while serving before formally taking over the nonprofit after his retirement.

“[Veterans] have seen the worst in our lifetimes,” Colonel Cantor shares. “They can sometimes feel shut in and cut off from society.”

He could certainly understand the challenges veterans faced, particularly with PTSD. “My first day in Iraq, I was at a civil operations center where I saw dozens of casualties.” This type of thing, sadly, is the reality of being in the military and was just the beginning of his career.

“These kinds of scenes, happening on a regular basis, really take a toll on you.” he adds.

Joining forces to make a bigger impact

Despite the initial success of his nonprofit, Colonel Cantor faced a hurdle: making the program available to veterans with mobility issues or those who don’t have access to transportation.

When he learned about a partnership between Citizens and the Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF), he found the solution to help him in both his personal and professional life.

He applied and was selected to be the recipient in the Transportation4Heroes program that would award him a payment-free hybrid vehicle. Not only will the vehicle alleviate the stress of balancing one car between him and his wife, but it will also allow him to get back on the road to help local veterans for these therapy trips.

A legacy and commitment to service on the home front, too

By connecting veterans through his nonprofit in New Jersey and ensuring the safety and freedom of citizens in war-torn countries, Colonel Cantor has touched the lives of people around the world.

He, along with his wife, has also made a tremendous difference at home.

“She runs the Young Chefs Academy to help developmentally disabled adults gain life skills.”

Together, they raised two daughters who share their commitment to service: one who works in international relations in Washington, D.C.; and the other who is studying to be a doctor.

From his career in the military to his life-changing non-profit to his rich family life, Colonel Cantor has a lot to be grateful and elated about.

“I’m very, very touched. Thank you.”

Ready to serve those who serve our country

Citizens is proud to partner with the Military Warriors Support Foundation to help deserving veterans in the communities where we work and serve. Learn about more ways we are joining forces to give back to the veterans who give so much to us all.