Local vets get help thanks to Bonita Bay Veterans Council

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A group in Bonita Springs is making dreams come true for people who served our country.

WINK News spoke to a Marine who had her spirit lifted when the group gave her gym a generous makeover.

“We love all the work and the love that’s been put into it,” said veteran Mindy Underwood.

The Weight Pile, a gym in Fort Myers got some much needed TLC.

“It was like a dungeon, everything was orange and purple and horrible. Now, you walk in and you’re home,” said Underwood.

Pictures show the gym was in bad shape.

“We knocked down walls, we redid the bathroom, we repainted everything, there was a huge mess in the back corner.”

Underwood, the gym’s owner, is a Marine. She did three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and because of her dedication to our country, she was eligible for money to fix up her gym with help from the Bonita Bay Veterans Council.

“They have been a blessing and we are so grateful. We could not have done this. We didn’t have the means,” Underwood told WINK News.

Not only did Underwood get help herself, she’s also offering free personal training to other veterans.

“You can’t get a better feeling than someone telling you, ‘I didn’t know someone had my back, now I know someone has my back,'” said President of Bonita Bay Veterans Council Nick Romano.

The council is made up of more than 500 veterans. The group raises money to help veterans will various issues, including home repairs, medical bills, and small business repairs.

“Bonita Springs is a giving community and veterans are very important to the community,” said Romano.

The Bonita Bay Veterans Council finds eligible veterans through the Military Support Program with Lee Memorial Health System. If you are interested in getting more information, call 239-343-2045.

For more information on The Weight Pile, contact Mindy Underwood at 239-849-1030 or visit weightpilegym.com.