Projects aims to help veterans get to know families again

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Cliff Morris, a Seabreeze High School graduate, has started a nonprofit company with a unique idea to help veterans, law enforcement and other first responders.

His goal is to create a retreat camp, where the veterans and their families can spend time together and get to know one another again. Based on experience with relatives who had wartime experience, he believes the camp with create positive memories and help get rid of the negativity.

He is currently seeking land to build the camp and wants to have plenty of recreation and activities. In addition to being an Eagle scout, Morris has spent several summers working at camps, where he saw families having fun together. A life-long outdoor enthusiast, he knows boating, surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc.

He also hopes to have activities such as gardening and cooking, with a family making a meal for the entire camp.

To fund the enterprise, he has started a nonprofit group called the Thin Line Coalition. He is working with other businesses, and has arranged a fundraiser at July 18 with the Daytona Beach Tortugas. On July 20, he’ll have a poker run with the help of Fraternal Order of Eagles. Information can be found on the thinlinecoalition Facebook page.

His mother, Lauren, of Ormond Beach, is helping with his goal.

“So many veterans commit suicide,” she said. “This is something that needs attention. Vets can get medical and job help, but often family Is overlooked. Families are important and want to help.”

Morris hopes the retreat will help vets and their families going in the right direction.

“It’s easy to fall into a dark place,” he said.

Morris also is a Toys for Tots organizer, hosting the Blast to the Past Harvest Festival last fall. This work has helped him learn about cross-promotion with businesses, he said.

He wants the camp to be self-sustaining, by allowing anyone to stay there with the profits going to support the camp and the veterans.

Contact Morris at [email protected] or call 386-220-5253.