Of the St. Louis American
Connections are always good for business and so too can be helping others. Col. Charles E. Boyd called an old friend, Bill Procida, who just happened to be CEO of the New Jersey-based Palisades Financial that owns Pavilion Apartments in Maryland Heights, and asked for a favor not for himself but for other military personnel. He wanted Procida to offer housing in the newly renovated apartment complex at a discount for military members.
The company already offered a discount to veterans and military members, but Boyd wanted more.
“The apartment community already gave a ten percent discount for military families, but Bill agreed to a 50 percent discount for the first six months and 20 percent off for the rest of the lease term of a one year lease,” Boyd said. “Bill also agreed to reduce the security deposit to $99.”
Boyd, executive director of the Semper Fi for Life Foundation, said that often military personnel and their families find it difficult to secure safe and affordable off-base housing.
“It is available for active duty, reservists and especially veterans,” said Boyd. “A discount like this is important for those who are serving in Iraq whose families need a place to stay as well. Their wife and children may be living at mom’s because they can’t find a place to stay.”
Whether relocating active duty member, reservist deploying overseas needing affordable and safe housing for his or her family, or a recently separated veteran, each has the opportunity to obtain a very nice and affordable apartment at the Pavilion Apartments.
“If they were reservists then maybe their job went away while they were serving in Iraq,” he added. “Some people just getting out of the military might not have employment yet, but they will work with them at Pavilion and help get them into safe and affordable housing. This is a good opportunity and they need to take advantage.”
In terms of actual money saved, the Helping Heroes program means a hefty discount for military personnel. For example, a one-bedroom/two bathroom apartment that rents for $760 can be leased for only $380 a month.
In addition to the steep discount, The Pavilion Apartments commitment to Helping Heroes continues with helping to provide access to major employers in the surrounding areas supported with exclusive use of the Internet Café to assist in resume creation for veterans, reservists and recently separated military personnel.
“Billy told me that he agreed to do this because his best friend, and president of his company, has a brother that is a Marine and served two tours in Iraq,” Boyd said. “He said he wanted to give back to military personnel because of that.”
Procidio’s company recently invested over five million dollars to make upgrades to the property that include a clubhouse, movie theater, computer room and fitness center. Which translates to nice housing at an affordable price for those who’ve put their lives on the line serving in the armed forces.
After serving nearly 30 years in the Marine Corps, Boyd spends his time these days helping to take care of the needs of military personnel through the Semper Fi for Life Foundation, a non profit organization run by military veterans.
“Semper Fi means always faithful. That means always faithful to God, to country and to the (Marine) Corps,” Boyd said.
“In conjunction with the Montford Point Marines we have helped military personnel in many ways including feeding veterans over the holidays,” said Boyd. “We will also help veterans at the Pavilion apartments with resume writing and securing jobs.”
“I feel that this is important because it allows military members an opportunity to use the remaining funds that they will save in rent to purchase other things,” Boyd said. “It is also an opportunity to live in very nice housing at a very affordable rate, especially families who are left behind while husbands and wives are serving on the battlefield for our country.”
For more information about the Helping Heroes discount at Pavilion apartments call Sara Hasser at (314) 878-1115. For more information about Semper Fi for Life Foundation email Col. Charles E. Boyd at cbusmc@aol.com or visit www.semperfiforlife.org.
