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Veterans assistance group looking to locate in Lee County

Sanford Herald - 3/23/2023

Mar. 18—A veteran support nonprofit is working to establish a foothold in Lee County with a mission to help similar organizations.

Veteran Harbor Inc., based in Fayetteville, has obtained property on Carthage Street where the organization wants to set up a resource center to aid other nonprofits that work to assist veterans, according to Brian Stanfill, president and executive director of Veteran Harbor.

"We want to reach out with other nonprofits who might want to run programs at our center," Stanfill said.

When completed, the center will be in the 2600 block of Carthage Street in the home and property of Robert Lee, a veteran who has been through the Harnett County Veteran's Treatment Court.

The court is designed to handle primarily misdemeanor cases against veterans who are in need of help, said Zach Campbell.

Campbell is director of the court which has three case managers to assist veterans who are homeless or suffer from traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and other military related conditions or disabilities.

Veterans are generally referred to the special court at the recommendation of a judge or district attorney, Campbell said.

Lee was assisted through Veterans Court about a year ago, Campbell said, and completed the recommended treatment and was helped by Veteran Harbor.

He has been staying in a camper and agreed to deed the property to Veteran Harbor for $5,000, according to county records.

Lee's his home had deteriorated to the point of being uninhabitable," Campbell said.

"This house has zero value and rightfully would be condemned," Campbell said. "By the time it's done, it won't just raise the property value, but it will remove and eyesore and be a huge benefit.

"Mr. Lee is not losing anything. He will lifetime rights live on and manage the property and be fully involved."

Veteran Harbor recently received $100,00 from state Sen. Jim Burgin, who represents Harnett and Lee counties. The money will be given through the Lee County Board of Commissioners, but is state-allocated funding, Campbell said.

The money will used to begin work on the house, Stanfill said. It's not known when the project will be completed.

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