Gary A. Officer

What comes to mind when you think of veterans?

What comes to mind when you think of a struggling head of the household, hardly able to afford basic home maintenance?

Despite our preconceived notions of the typical veteran, or the struggling homeowner, there is a burgeoning segment of the population...

"Working with Rebuilding Together is great, it has kept me alive."

Sol Goldstein is not a homeowner Rebuilding Together has assisted in its 25 years of service to homeowners-in-need. Sol is one of the original founders and directors of the national housing nonprofit's Long Island affiliate....

As the leader of a national nonprofit organization, I often think about the importance of individual giving to charitable causes. It is an exceptional and admirable characteristic of American culture, and these organizations depend on the generosity of people in order to achieve their work.

According to a report by...

As it is often quoted, but nevertheless relevant, "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." This ancient adage, coined by Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu, has transcended millenniums to still be referenced during decisive moments.

Our journey of a 'thousand miles' began against a backdrop of a...

Every year, Labor Day serves as the perfect bookend to summer fun. It marks the time when we prepare our children for the start of school and prepare ourselves for the hustle of our work lives. Labor Day acts not only as the official close to summer, but at its...

Recently, I visited three communities which wholly capture the majesty of our country. Barnum finds itself surrounded by the mountains of Colorado, San Fernando Valley lies close to the spectacular Pacific Ocean, and the Bronx is a borough of our nation's biggest city. Yet, for all their differences in geography,...

Memorial Day is often a time for us to pause and reflect on the incredible sacrifice made by our brave men and women who paid the ultimate price during the course of their service to our great country. Originally called Decoration Day, this holiday serves as a day of remembrance...

Many great stories begin with humble beginnings.

30 years ago, a small church in Midland, Texas, recognized the dire housing needs of local community members whose homes had fallen into dangerous disrepair. The ministry adapted a volunteer model to address the destitution: recruiting local volunteers to provide critical home...

Last week, I had the privilege of joining a distinguished bi-partisan audience at the Kennedy Center to celebrate the life of President George H.W. Bush and his work to renew our nation's national appeal for volunteerism through his Points of Light Institute organization. This week, I am at Oxford University,...

Army veteran Waldemar Alameda, 40, served our country with distinction in multiple tours of Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Following 17 years of service to his country, Alameda became permanently disabled by an IED explosion while serving as a staff sergeant in Tikrit, Iraq in 2007. He was about two...

When Jose Castro moved to Dallas from San Luis Potosi, Mexico 10 years ago, he and his family wanted nothing more than the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. Jose worked tirelessly, holding down a steady job and becoming a U.S. citizen. He was even able to save enough to...