Vicki Thomas was in her kitchen cooking when she heard a news story about Dale Beatty and John Gallina, the two combat veterans who founded Purple Heart Homes. She was so inspired she cold-called them, offering to put her experience and contacts from a long career in marketing and broadcasting to work for the fledgling nonprofit.
And just like that, she traded in retirement for punishing days helping the organization raise its profile, increase fundraising, and start a new program to help wounded veterans buy their own homes. That was 2010; she volunteered her time for two years, then became a paid staff member. Ms. Thomas (above) is now 69 and has no plans to slow down.
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