Page 12 - Harnett Life Summer 2020

Whole Vet at NC Strive Conference

Whole Vet Aims to Build the Whole Person

One Military Member and Veteran at a Time

By Chrissy Neville

“Life is all about connection that becomes trusted relation- all military branches, National Guard and Reserve members,
ships” is the mantra and guiding life principle of Willow and the families of each with the tools, resources and support to
Spring’s Dale Robbins, the founder and CEO of Whole Vet, a have a fulfilling civilian career and life. The purpose produced
501c3 nonprofit serving veterans, service members and their another motto so good it belongs on a T-shirt, bumper sticker
families. The quote speaks to the doors that have opened to or both. Whole Vet hopes to “Build Lives Together” with you
Robbins along his 10-year-journey with volunteer veterans af- ― military member, family or friend.
fairs and with the start of this fledgling organization ― the
friends made, supporters garnered and networks nourished. Robbins, a 19-year-veteran of Cisco Systems with over 25
However, the phrase also provides a glimpse into what matters years total spent in corporate America, never served in the
to this local man ― namely, building lasting bonds and putting military himself. His trajectory toward nonprofit work and in-
programs in place to impact the lives of those who have put terest in the nation’s armed forces and veterans began with a
their lives on the line for us, both past and present. deep sense of admiration for those who serve and have served,
coupled with years of physical and medical challenges both he
According to the nonprofit’s mission statement, Whole Vet and his family faced and eventually overcame. The times of
seeks to provide veterans, transitioning service members from struggle magnified his faith in God and belief that he was being