Distinguished Service by a Faith Organization

Those words from the Book of Matthew are a cornerstone of Christian faith, a reminder that helping your fellow man, especially those who have the least, is the higher purpose of life on earth.

Those words have real meaning for the River City Christian Men’s Group, which has been meeting basic needs of homeless veterans transitioning to shelter and a new life at the Mather Veterans Village in Rancho Cordova.

Over 92,000 veterans live in the Sacramento region and our area has the 10th highest number of homeless veterans among California counties. 

Rancho Cordova’s answer to this problem is Mather Veterans Village, which opened its first phase in 2016 and is now home to 150 formerly homeless veterans and their families. Rancho Cordova’s role in establishing Mather Veterans Village was honored in 2019 during the successful bid for All-America City recognition.

Mather Veterans Village is a success in itself, but it was soon discovered that community help would be needed as homeless veterans made the transition. Most are coming with virtually nothing. Where does the toilet paper, the toothpaste, the furniture, the underwear, even food – where does that come from?

For many veterans, it has come through the generosity of the River City Christian Men’s Group.

Nominated for this award by the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center, River City Christian Men’s Group has taken action to fill the gaps for veterans living at Veterans Village.

Dan Deshong, a member of the group and a Vietnam veteran himself, said it all started four years ago when he asked the 100-plus members of the Men’s Group for warm coats for cold, homeless veterans. “I got so many I couldn’t fit them in my car,” he said.

Since that humble beginning, the giving has continued, with River City Men filling holes that need filling.

Shane Kunzel said the group has helped out residents with everyday items most of us take for granted, from clothes and hygiene items to wheelchairs. They provided Thanksgiving dinner for 65 veterans who would otherwise have gone without. Christmas was made merrier when the group treated the residents to a shopping spree at River City’s amazing Christmas Mall.

Shane said:

But it is not just the veterans that have benefitted from the relationship. The River City Christian Men’s Group has been fulfilled in way that can only happen when you make the effort to share your blessings with those not as fortunate as you – even if you don’t know them.

Dan Deshong described it this way:

River City Christian Men’s Group is active in other ways, including outreach to missions in South Sacramento, Mexico and Uganda. Their “Helping Hands” are ready to support congregation members in need of an assist. The list goes on and on.

No service is nobler than that shown to the neediest among us. With appreciation, we are delighted to shine a light on the generosity of this group of men who live among us, quietly finding their lives elevated by lifting up others. Congratulations and rock on, River City Christian Men’s Group for Distinguished Service by a Faith Organization.