COURTESY PHOTO | Chris Delaney (left) ran during the Long Island MacArthur Airport 5K marathon, a fundraiser for 9-1-1 Veterans.

This past year, a local veteran was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and couldn’t work. He instead applied to an EMT program and was accepted, but he couldn’t afford his $200 textbook.

He turned to the nonprofit 9-1-1 Veterans for help, and the organization paid for his book.

Textbook bills are some of the least expensive ones the organization helps cover. The nonprofit, founded by Stephen Clark, who lived in Shoreham before he died last December, provides financial assistant and job placement to Long Island veterans.

Mr. Clark was in the Navy for 33 years and served as a command master chief.

“He saw what our service members go through when they come back: homelessness, neglect, bureaucratic hurdles, battle wounds both visible and invisible,” said Chris Delaney, who took over most of the charity’s operations when Mr. Clark died. “He decided, ‘If I can help veterans over that hump in the road with their financial issues, I will.’”

A 22-year veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department, Mr. Clark started 9-1-1 Veterans by passing a bucket around to his colleagues at the Suffolk County Police Academy, where he was a firearms instructor. He made connections with individuals and organizations and worked with them to raise money.

Since the organization officially started in 2007, it has given out more than $200,000 to needy veterans.

It raises money through motorcycle rallies, dinners and private donations. Only veterans living on Long Island are eligible for assistance.

“It’s the veterans here in our backyard that are our responsibility,” Mr. Delaney said, explaining the organization’s philosophy.

He said the organization often gives monetary help to disabled veterans who have not get started receiving disability checks from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

“A lot of people don’t realize getting disability from the VA is a long and lengthy process,” he said, adding that the organization recently paid one disabled veteran’s mortgage for the fifth month, as he’s been waiting for his government checks.

“We’re a safety net,” Mr. Delaney said.

The organization is holding a fundraiser concert on Sunday, the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, in Massapequa called “I am a Voice: Long Island Remembers 9/11.” Go to www.911veteransevents.org for more information.

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