Flashback Cruz donation advances key projects at the Central Oregon Veterans Village
Jillian Fortner
(Update: Adding video, adding comments from Flashback Cruz, Veterans Village coordinator)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Flashback Cruz of Central Oregon presented a $10,000 donation to the Bend Heroes Foundation at the Central Oregon Veterans Village in Bend.
“It’s a really good, substantial start for them.” said Larry Scott, Air Force veteran and president of Flashback Cruz.
The gift will be used to complete several key projects at the transitional housing site. The Bend Heroes Foundation has overseen construction of the $1.5 million project.
The Veterans Village opened its doors on Veterans Day 2021, offering transitional housing and support services for homeless veterans. Residents can stay for up to two years as they pursue education, job training, or work to transition into civilian life.
One of the projects moving forward with the donation is a new flag plaza, something Bend Heroes Foundation chairman Dick Tobiason envisioned from the beginning.
Veterans Village coordinator David Nieradka said, “Now it’s coming to fruition. And with this funding, it’ll get done.”
The donation will also finish a long planned greenhouse, providing water and electricity so residents can grow food on site. Flashback Cruz also provided 140 hanging hydro pods, which veterans will be able to use for planting once the greenhouse is complete.
“We’ve got a few guys here who are just waiting to start growing in it,” said Nieradka.
Seven new homes were also added this year, bringing the total to 22 units at the village. That expansion comes as demand for transitional housing among veterans continues to grow.
“A lot of our veterans are very young, just getting out of the military. They can’t afford housing on their own. So this is a great place to provide for them,” Nieradka said.