(TNS) The media, virtually on a daily basis, tells us of the plight of American war veterans, whether from the wars in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan, and details the mistreatment at VA hospitals, pointing out the difficulty in navigating the red-tape maze to obtain necessary treatment while inevitably featuring the homeless veterans.

The good news, if there is such a thing in these tragic situations, is that there exist organizations, staffed by dedicated volunteers, offering much-needed help to veterans.

The Leatherneck Club of North Texas, established in 2012, with a mission to provide financial support and assistance to veterans, is just such an organization. It is a tax exempt non-profit corporation, which means that all donations are tax deductible.

Retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Tom Stephens, and Melissa resident, is one of those dedicated volunteers. Gunny Stephens, as he is known in military parlance, is a Vietnam veteran who participated in combat operations at such memorable sites as Con Thien, The Rockpile, Dong Ha, Quang Tri, Cam Lo, in the DMZ along the Ben Hai River and moving south to Hill 10, Hill 44 outside Danang and on to Chu Lai and An Wah, completing his tour at Dai Loc Pass and Hai Von Pass. He retired after 22 years in the Marine Corps, having served in various capacities both stateside and overseas.

Stephens, a modest man, who is also the president of the Leatherneck Club, had one request for this article: Please focus the article on the Leatherneck Club and not on me. It is really about getting veterans the help they need. I have had my time in the spotlight. Were a small local non-profit with a goal to find the people that need help, said Stephens.

The Leatherneck Club supports the Veterans Resource Center (the old National Guard Armory) located just a few blocks south of the Veterans Hospital in Dallas. This is a one stop shop to triage veterans and direct them to the help they need.

We take those that need VA benefits to get them processed and we dont leave until it is done, said Stephens.

Another program that the Leatherneck Club supports is Wounded Warriors, in which volunteers drive wounded warriors to and from their appointments at the VA hospital. Wounded veterans who cannot transport themselves are provided transportation from their home to the hospital.

The Club also financially supports the Fisher House, which is similar to a Ronald McDonald house, providing severely wounded warriors families the ability to be close during treatment.

We provide financial assistance to those veterans in need. They may lose their car, now cant get to work and begin to slide, Stephens explained. We also focus on getting the homeless off the streets so that they can get the help they need.

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Retired Marine heads volunteer-staffed club that helps vets, avoids red tape