'Big Give' Recipients Realize Dream

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two Hoosiers who had served as pilots in the Air Force realized a dream Friday with the grand opening of the Donald W. Moreau Sr. Veteran's House.

Scott and Katie Taylor serve homeless veterans through Helping Homeless Veterans and Families of Indiana Inc.

Earlier this year, HVAF was featured in Big Give Indiana on ABC and RTV6 and received $5,000 in seed money to help with their project.

The organization recruited the help of generous Hoosiers and raise more than $500,000 for Operation Heartland and the building of the veteran's house.

"Today is the day to say thank you to the community," Katie Taylor said. "We have had hundreds upon hundreds of people in Indianapolis who have made this all possible.

At any given time, 40 homeless veterans will be able to live in the house independently, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The building, named after Col. Donald Moreau, who has dedicated years helping veterans in need -- "people in dire need, but the greatest human beings you could ever meet" -- he said.

The building also has offices to be filled with support staff to help veterans get back on their feet. Darryl Boyd and Russell Kynoch said HVAF helped turn their lives around.

"Seven months ago, I was homeless. This actually is a really good opportunity for homeless veterans to have a place that they can call their own," Boyd said.

"I appreciate everything that HVAF has done for me, and I think it has helped quite a few veterans," Kynoch said.

Homeless veterans will be moving into the apartments next week.

More: HVAF Web Site