Veterans, businesses sought for Honor Rewards program

Sunday, February 24, 2019
Greene County Recorder Sarah Bender and Veteran’s Affairs Officer Richard Nichols have partnered to remind the community about a free program that benefits local veterans.
By Sabrina Stockrahm

The Greene County Recorder’s Office and Veteran’s Affairs Office have partnered to remind the community of a program that benefits local veterans.

In 2014, previous county recorder Stuart Dowden partnered with Fidlar Technologies to become involved in the Honor Rewards program, which allows local businesses to offer up deals to local veterans. Current recorder Sarah Bender said she reached out to Veteran’s Affairs Officer Richard Nichols to revamp the program in Greene County.

Honor Rewards is completely free to the county and veterans. Bender explained interested businesses can sign up and it is up to the business to decide what they would like to offer. The veteran is then issued a photo ID card to redeem the Honor Rewards.

“There are about 2,800 veterans in Greene County, and only about 120 are signed up,” Nichols said.

There are currently 19 Greene County businesses signed up for the program, offering discounts like 5 percent off every Tuesday at Orscheln Farm and Home, 15 percent off food purchase at Casa Sevilla Monday through Thursday, 5 percent off any purchase at A&D Stone, 10 percent off any bodywork at Warnick Body Shop and several others.

To see the full list of businesses, or to sign up your business or as a veteran, you can do so online at honorrewards.com and search for Greene County, or visit the Greene County Recorder’s Office.

In recent weeks, Bender and her staff have been working hard to raise awareness for the program to add businesses to the list, including mailing about 200 letters to local businesses to garner interest. If a participating business changes its mind, they can cancel at any time. Bender would just need 30 day’s notice.

Bender and Nichols stressed the importance of finding ways to give back to Greene County Veterans.

“Even if McDonald’s gave a free burger or someone offered their 13th haircut free. To show a little appreciation is a value to us as veterans,” Nichols said. “This program shows the appreciation the county has for us. I spoke with a Vietnam veteran who said he felt an appreciation for what he was forced to do.”

Nichols said many veterans did not have a choice about serving, and did not feel appreciated after they returned.

“For those veterans who are coming back, this is a great way to say ‘Welcome home,’. To some older veterans, this is saying we do appreciate you and we are going to prove it,” Nichols said.

“There are a multitude of businesses at the national and statewide level which offer discounts to Veterans. I truly appreciate the fact that there is a County-based program, as well. I thank the Greene County Recorder’s Office for promoting Honor Rewards and am thrilled by the number of participating local businesses ... I would love to see the program grow exponentially! If you own a business in Greene County, please consider participation. If you are a Veteran living in Greene County, please sign up.”

Bender said she has a passion for serving veterans, as both of her grandparents and her father were in the military, which is why she has been working to revamp the program.

Nichols noted while signing up for the program, he encourages veterans to also use this opportunity to file their discharge papers.

“I encourage Greene County’s Veterans to record their Military Service Discharge papers at the Recorder’s Office in the Courthouse. It is a great way to safeguard this incredibly valuable paperwork against loss. It also simplifies a portion of the process should a Veteran decide to make a claim for disability through the County Veterans Service Office,” Nichols explained.

“Greene County appreciates it’s Veteran population. I am fortunate to have a job where I see it every day. I am thankful for that. To every Greene County citizen who shows support for our Veterans, please accept my sincere thanks.”

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  • There is no padlock or other indicator that this web site is secure and they ask for your address and date birth

    -- Posted by ellis1 on Mon, Feb 25, 2019, at 6:35 PM
    Response by Sabrina Stockrahm, Editor, Greene County Daily World:
    Ellis1,

    If you are concerned about using the online portal, please contact Greene County Recorder Sarah Bender at (812) 384-2020. She is great to work with and will be able to help guide you through the process.

    I'll also try to look into the security aspect of the Honor Rewards program. I hope you're still able to sign up for the program!

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