Milkbum Trailer
Leslie Rye Story
Vets for Autism
Helping The Children of Vets Enjoy A More Fulfilling Life
We stand with the children of our military men and women and give them the support they need through homes designed with them in mind.
Building Autistic-Friendly Environments—One Home At A Time
The environment that children live their daily lives in, matters. For autistic children, this can be the difference between comfort and frustration. Our Vets for Autism program is designed to support the children of service members and veterans who have children who fall on the spectrum of Autism. 1 in 88children of veterans is on the autism spectrum. Those statistics represent a real need within the veteran community. For this reason, Southern CC Inc. is seeking to meet this need with our Homes For TheFallen program.
Every house we build for veteran families with autistic children is named after a fallen soldier. The very first home we’re building is named in honor of Captain Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel. Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel was mortally wounded in Afghanistan in 2013.
After completing the officer basic course at Fort Benning, he arrived at his first assignment as an Infantry Rifle Platoon leader with 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (Light) at Fort Hood, TX, in June 2007.
He was deployed in June of 2008 with a company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment in support of OEF IX as an Executive Officer. Then, in September of 2008, he was selected for a second platoon leadership position where he remained for that deployment.
By 2011, Captain Pedersen-Keel graduated from Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group where he served as an ODA Commander until his last deployment in August 2012 as an ODA Commander in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he was deeply involved in training the Afghan Army.
Our first home for the fallen represents his name and his story.
A Peek Inside the Home
We are seeking funding to build a 2-bedroom home that will be gifted to a service member or veteran who has a child with autism. To complete the home, we will need to raise at least $100,0000 per home. This funding goes exclusively to the materials, labor, and property required to turn this dream into a reality. Each home will also include a sensory room built according to the needs of autistic children to help them thrive.
Donate, Volunteer, Get Involved!
Whether you can donate your time, energy, or resources to help with our Homes for The fallen projects,we would welcome it. Please contact us directly through the form below and share our project information throughout the community.