Local veterans' nonprofit Hillsborough County Veterans Helping Veterans Inc. recently received commendation for its dedicated service to former service members and their kin. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners took a moment during its Feb. 4 meeting to formally recognize the group's efforts. Mike O'Dell, the founder of the organization, was there to accept the honor on behalf of his team, as reported by HCFL Gov Newsroom.
O'Dell and his nonprofit have been steadfast in actively bridging the former soldiers to much-needed support, especially when they find themselves in hard times with nowhere else to turn. In 2025 alone, they managed to help up to assist 179 veterans and their families, dishing out a substantial $95,205 in direct aid. It was a record-breaking year, demonstrating the growing needs—and the nonprofit's ability to meet them. "We are very busy with what we do to help those in need," O'Dell told the assembly in a statement obtained by HCFL Gov Newsroom.
Funding for this initiative has come from various sources, including an annual golf tournament and contributions from city, county, and corporate grants. For more than a decade, Hillsborough County Veterans Helping Veterans has stood as a beacon of hope for many, addressing the immediate needs of veterans while also aiming to seamlessly connect them with federal, state, and county programs. O'Dell reaffirmed his organization's commitment to the veterans after the recognition, emphasizing, "it seems that our goal keeps growing and growing and growing, and so is the need for those that need our assistance," in a sentiment he shared during the meeting, as narrated by HCFL Gov Newsroom.
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