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Could the moderators put this in with the important threads or tag it so it stays at the top? Really don't want this thread to get lost in the sauce. I know there is a concerted effort on going to try to help Ronnie spearheaded by Reese Neyland and I think it's important to keep this thread visible so that people can share information as it becomes available about the efforts to assist him.

Maybe once we do hear what the efforts are we could do something as a group to collect $$$ for the cause. I know in the past guys on the CAAZone would have get togethers, watch parties and pick up basketball games at the tourney in Richmond. Maybe some sort of "Lion's Den" benefit get together. Just a thought. Would love to hear other ideas.

Pinned. Let's bring Ronnie home!

I reached out the other day, haven't heard back yet.

(07-12-2018 08:38 AM)oduhoops71 Wrote:  Could the moderators put this in with the important threads or tag it so it stays at the top? Really don't want this thread to get lost in the sauce. I know there is a concerted effort on going to try to help Ronnie spearheaded by Reese Neyland and I think it's important to keep this thread visible so that people can share information as it becomes available about the efforts to assist him.

Maybe once we do hear what the efforts are we could do something as a group to collect $$$ for the cause. I know in the past guys on the CAAZone would have get togethers, watch parties and pick up basketball games at the tourney in Richmond. Maybe some sort of "Lion's Den" benefit get together. Just a thought. Would love to hear other ideas.

The ODU mens BB golf tournament is August 27. That's over a month away but if someone would maybe collect $5.00 from everyone at Registration I am sure this would be a great crowd that would all be very supportive. I would guess they would have 100 players or so in the tournament.

(07-12-2018 05:17 PM)JJMonarch Wrote:  

(07-12-2018 08:38 AM)oduhoops71 Wrote:  Could the moderators put this in with the important threads or tag it so it stays at the top? Really don't want this thread to get lost in the sauce. I know there is a concerted effort on going to try to help Ronnie spearheaded by Reese Neyland and I think it's important to keep this thread visible so that people can share information as it becomes available about the efforts to assist him.

Maybe once we do hear what the efforts are we could do something as a group to collect $$$ for the cause. I know in the past guys on the CAAZone would have get togethers, watch parties and pick up basketball games at the tourney in Richmond. Maybe some sort of "Lion's Den" benefit get together. Just a thought. Would love to hear other ideas.

The ODU mens BB golf tournament is August 27. That's over a month away but if someone would maybe collect $5.00 from everyone at Registration I am sure this would be a great crowd that would all be very supportive. I would guess they would have 100 players or so in the tournament.

This is an exceptional idea. I'm also sure they could pull together a 50/50 cash raffle with the proceeds to bring him here. Any winner of the raffle would most certainly donate their winnings right back.

They could even pass the hat at an early Fall football game.

did I read somewhere that there was a go fund me opportunity to donate.

I haven't seen a GoFund me yet. Latest I have heard is Reese Neyland is heading to Miami on Monday to spend 3 days with Ronnie and assess the situation to see what he wants to do. He has also mentioned the possibility of starting a charitable foundation for Ronnie to assist him either if he decides to stay in Miami or if he comes to Norfolk. Hopefully should know more by latter part of next week.

The mods received the following message in regards to Ronnie;

Quote:Dear Sirs,

Could you please inform the ODU group that we are still working on the correct way to Help Ronnie Valentine?

Reese Neyland is meeting with his Doctors this week. We will keep you updated.

Thanks,
Tom Conrad

Tom Conrad forwarded us the following email from Reese Neyland;

Quote:I just returned from a four day trip to Miami to meet with Ronnie and his caretakers there. I want to give you a brief update now with more information to come later. Also, there should be a follow up article on Ronnie's situation in the Virginian-Pilot in the next week or so.

It was a great time with Ronnie - he was happy to see me and he is so grateful for the outpouring of love and support that he has received since the article was written (thank you Harry Minium!). On my trip I had time to find out a lot more about Ronnie's situation than Harry was able to learn in his brief time with Ronnie in Miami a few weeks ago. There is some very encouraging news. Ronnie has actually been housed since January 2016 when he entered a program the federal government has to provide permanent ongoing support for the chronically homeless. For the last two and half years this program has provided him with food, rent, utilities, medical care, mental health care, etc. There are no limits on this support as long as Ronnie stays in the program. You can probably understand how much better his quality of life is now after 25 years of being homeless!

Everyone I met at the Camillus House (who have looked after Ronnie for over 25 years) and the Citrus Health Network (who have been his caretakers for the last two and a half years) really like Ronnie and give great reports of the personal progress he has made in the last few years. However, the federal program that is helping Ronnie is not transferable to Norfolk or anywhere else he might move. It was made clear to Ronnie and me that if he moved he would have to start all over in trying to find the help and support he needs.

I am happy to report that Ronnie is very content where he is now and doesn't want to move at this time. I can certainly understand that, since he is getting help and support that has not been available to him for a long time. He may want to come back to Hampton Roads for a visit in the near future but we shall see.

Many of you have offered to contribute money to help Ronnie in his situation. We are still looking into exactly what he needs and how to meet those needs for him. You will be happy to know that a number of his former teammates, coaches, and friends have already sent him clothes, shoes, etc. We have also put together a team of three people who know Ronnie and live in the south Florida area who will be seeing Ronnie regularly and taking care of things he might need (Wes Lockard, Karlton Hilton, and Lavell Denard). The truth is, all his basic needs are being met already and I know we are all excited about that.

Again, thank you so much for your love and concern for Ronnie! I will send you additional updates as things develop...

Reese Neyland

Tom, thank you for reaching out to the board to try and keep us Monarchs all updated. It has been really inspiring to see all of his teammates and friends come together to rally behind Ronnie after all these years.

Great news. Thank you very much for passing along the update.

(07-22-2018 09:42 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Tom Conrad forwarded us the following email from Reese Neyland;

Quote:I just returned from a four day trip to Miami to meet with Ronnie and his caretakers there. I want to give you a brief update now with more information to come later. Also, there should be a follow up article on Ronnie's situation in the Virginian-Pilot in the next week or so.

It was a great time with Ronnie - he was happy to see me and he is so grateful for the outpouring of love and support that he has received since the article was written (thank you Harry Minium!). On my trip I had time to find out a lot more about Ronnie's situation than Harry was able to learn in his brief time with Ronnie in Miami a few weeks ago. There is some very encouraging news. Ronnie has actually been housed since January 2016 when he entered a program the federal government has to provide permanent ongoing support for the chronically homeless. For the last two and half years this program has provided him with food, rent, utilities, medical care, mental health care, etc. There are no limits on this support as long as Ronnie stays in the program. You can probably understand how much better his quality of life is now after 25 years of being homeless!

Everyone I met at the Camillus House (who have looked after Ronnie for over 25 years) and the Citrus Health Network (who have been his caretakers for the last two and a half years) really like Ronnie and give great reports of the personal progress he has made in the last few years. However, the federal program that is helping Ronnie is not transferable to Norfolk or anywhere else he might move. It was made clear to Ronnie and me that if he moved he would have to start all over in trying to find the help and support he needs.

I am happy to report that Ronnie is very content where he is now and doesn't want to move at this time. I can certainly understand that, since he is getting help and support that has not been available to him for a long time. He may want to come back to Hampton Roads for a visit in the near future but we shall see.

Many of you have offered to contribute money to help Ronnie in his situation. We are still looking into exactly what he needs and how to meet those needs for him. You will be happy to know that a number of his former teammates, coaches, and friends have already sent him clothes, shoes, etc. We have also put together a team of three people who know Ronnie and live in the south Florida area who will be seeing Ronnie regularly and taking care of things he might need (Wes Lockard, Karlton Hilton, and Lavell Denard). The truth is, all his basic needs are being met already and I know we are all excited about that.

Again, thank you so much for your love and concern for Ronnie! I will send you additional updates as things develop...

Reese Neyland

Tom, thank you for reaching out to the board to try and keep us Monarchs all updated. It has been really inspiring to see all of his teammates and friends come together to rally behind Ronnie after all these years.

http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/ol...e5fa8.html

Nice update on RV


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Spoke with Ronnie a few days ago. Amazing but he remembered more about us beating Georgetown then I did. He is doing ok now, he has friends in Miami that are close and are helping. He was amazed at how many people have contacted him and wished him well. Thanks ODU.

Spoke with Ronnie V this morning doing well.
Plus he was talking ODU over Va Tech

Great to know Ronnie is staying current with ODU Sports. Thanks!

Had lunch with Ronnie in Miami. He is doing well. Wes is really helping him adjust and helping him navigate the housing situation. A group of players and friends have raise some funds for him to be able to purchase some items for himself and his apartment. Still has along way to go but seems to be on the right track.

(01-04-2019 11:46 AM)trad34 Wrote:  Had lunch with Ronnie in Miami. He is doing well. Wes is really helping him adjust and helping him navigate the housing situation. A group of players and friends have raise some funds for him to be able to purchase some items for himself and his apartment. Still has along way to go but seems to be on the right track.

Great news! Thanks for sharing.

The FIU game will be right up the street from him next week. Wonder if someone can get one of our top 2-3 players in history over to meet the squad.

(01-05-2019 11:24 PM)FearTheLion Wrote:  The FIU game will be right up the street from him next week. Wonder if someone can get one of our top 2-3 players in history over to meet the squad.

Working on it!!!!!!