Karac Brown first came to the VFW National Home for Children at the age of 22. A newly-single dad, he says he was “terrified” of raising his young daughter on his own. But thanks to the support he received from the community of staff and residents here, he left three years later a stronger person and a better, more relaxed parent.
“Without this place, I would not have made my life what it is,” Karac said. “I came away from my experience at the National Home with the perspective and confidence to grow as a person and a parent.”
This Christmas, Karac was back at the National Home to help make the holidays brighter for a new generation of residents. As chairman of UAW Local 724, he organizes a group of volunteers to come out to the National Home each year to hang Christmas lights around the campus. His daughter, now a straight-A student in the seventh grade, got to take a day off from school to join the group this year.
“She remembers our time here like it was yesterday,” said Karac. “I told her if she kept her grades up, she could join us for the decorating. I’m proud to have her out here with my crew.”
When asked about what brings him back to the National Home, Karac said, “I made it because of this place, and I want to try and bring back for the new residents some of what made it great for me.”
