Hinderless22 turning pain into purpose with mission to help struggling veterans

By Sabrina Bates

One Mississippi family has "turned their pain into a purpose," after they lost a member to the depths of suicide in 2020. Ronnie McNutt was a United States Army veteran who served in the War in Iraq. On Aug. 31, 2020, Ronnie took his own life. He was 33 years old. After leaving the service, Ronnie battled daily with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

His older brother, Joey, was no stranger to the military way of life and struggles with mental health. Joey also suffers from PTSD. He is a veteran of the United States Army, who says his transition into civilian life after the military wasn't an easy one.

After Ronnie's death, his surviving family members banned together and created Hinderless22: Ronnie McNutt Foundation. The RMF works with veterans in a tri-state region to help connect them with available resources.

"This is a healing process for my family. It keeps my brother's memory alive as we work to keep his charity work in the forefront," Joey explained. He and his mother are co-founders of the non-profit organization. Joey said his brother was an advocate for charitable organizations and they want to continue that mission.

In addition to awarding continuingeducation scholarships to local students as part of the Ronnie McNutt Memorial Scholarship program, the group made up of mostly family members created outreach programs for veterans struggling with mental health issues. They help local veterans and their children with back-to-school supplies as well as sponsor youth sports organizations.

The newest leg of the foundation's namesake - Hinderless22 - is in reference to a statistic released in the mid-2000s concerning the number of veterans who take their own lives daily. In 2020, new data estimated that number had grown by nearly double, with 41 veterans committing suicide every day in the United States. There are reportedly 30 veterans who overdose on medication daily.

"Those are just the ones we know about who are registered with the VA (Veterans Administration). That number is probably more because there are so many homeless veterans who haven't registered with the VA. Many are likely substance abusers because they self-medicate to ease their pain or not feel," Joey explained.

"It's a hard transition," he added. They are working personally to reduce those numbers and the next leg of their journey in doing so is just getting started. The Foundation has secured land that will eventually house a series of transitional tiny homes for veterans. They will begin their first build this month after a sizable donation from the 3 Doors Down Better Life Foundation. Better Life team members will unveil a check at an upcoming fundraiser for Hinderless22.

The vision for the transitional home community, known as Ronnie's Retreat, will eventually offer opportunities for veterans to be paired with service animals and help in their training in an effort to give them a daily purpose.

"They train us to kill, but they don't train us to heal," Joey shared. He retired after 23 years of service to his country. Having suffered with his own mental health issues, Joey has learned some coping mechanisms through therapy during his reintegration into society. He wants to help other veterans learn some coping mechanisms and show them they are not alone in their struggles.

"Our homeless veteran population can use a hand up. They don't want a hand out. We want to help them get their self-worth and self-esteem back. We need to make sure to do our due diligence in helping them become the best version of themselves. We know the issues of veterans. We have the same emotions and feelings and we can understand each other," Joey shared.

Joey and the Foundation members envision a place where veterans can stay while they help them work on getting access to their VAbenefits, as well as some healing from support groups that include chaplains and PTSD program help.

"I can almost guarantee those veterans who are homeless or struggling with substance abuse are eligible for disability benefits and we want to help them get those benefits," Joey explained.

Ronnie's Retreat is located in a wooded, secluded area that will offer veterans a peaceful stay while on their road to transitioning back into society. Away from all of the hustle and bustle of daily life, service dog commands and the sounds of nature will make up the bulk of noise heard at the Retreat.

To kickstart the project, Hinderless 22 is hosting a motorcycle fun run, live auction charity event on July 8 at the North Mississippi Bike Club. Live auction dona- tion items include new motorcycle parts, a William Sonoma Furniture living-room sectional and handmade, local pottery, to name a few. Those wanting to ride in the multistop fun run should come out beginning at 11 a.m. when registration starts. Kickstands go up at 1 p.m. and the cost is $10 per bike and $5 for passengers. in easy with clearly printed instructions

The auction is expected to begin around 3 p.m. Don't have a motorcycle for the fun run? Don't worry. Anyone can participate in the live auction event. A50/50 cash drawing will take place and the Bike Club will have hamburgers and hot dogs available throughout the day for purchase. Community members can also browse Ronnie McNutt Foundation merchandise and take home Tshirts and other gear. Acheck presentation by the 3 Doors Down Better Life Foundation will be a highlight of the day's event.

To learn more about the Hinderless22: Ronnie McNutt Foundation, visit https://www.hinderless22.org/, or find it on social media. To donate or for additional information about services, contact Joey at 1-662-279-1139.

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