Across the Lowcountry of South Carolina, the legacy of military service runs deep—from the Marine training grounds of Parris Island to the proud traditions carried by Gullah Geechee families on St. Helena Island. But for many veterans living in rural communities like St. Helena, accessing the benefits they’ve earned through their service remains a daily struggle.
Now, a local effort led by IT2 Jindia Blount, USN, Retired, is changing that. Through her grassroots initiative, Vets Helping Vets, Blount is bringing life-changing support directly to the people who need it most.
A Rural Community with a Rich Military Legacy
Beaufort County is home to more than 15,000 veterans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This includes a significant number of retired service members, reservists, and veterans from every branch of the military. St. Helena Island in particular, though best known for its historic and cultural importance as part of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, also has a proud military tradition that spans generations.
For many families, military service is woven into the fabric of community life. However, despite this strong foundation, the infrastructure for supporting veterans—especially in areas like benefits claims, transportation, and mental health—is often underdeveloped in rural communities.
Veterans living on St. Helena Island face several barriers:
- Distance to VA Services: The nearest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities are located in Beaufort, Charleston, and Savannah. For elderly, disabled, or low-income veterans, traveling 30 to 70 miles roundtrip for an appointment is a serious obstacle.
- Navigating Bureaucracy: Filing for VA disability benefits, pensions, and appeals can be a daunting, paperwork-heavy process that deters many from even trying.
- Social Isolation: Without local peer networks or support hubs, many rural veterans report feeling forgotten, disconnected, or alone in their struggles.
That’s where “Vets Helping Vets” steps in.
Meet the Leader: IT2 Jindia Blount, USN, Retired
At the heart of this initiative is Jindia Blount, a retired Information Technician Second Class in the U.S. Navy. With years of experience in military service and a personal commitment to ensuring no veteran is left behind, Blount saw a critical need in her community and chose to act.
Through Vets Helping Vets, she offers claims assistance by appointment only, helping veterans navigate the complex maze of federal paperwork, understand their entitlements, and follow through with appeals when necessary. The flyer promoting the service (shown above) proudly displays her photo in uniform and lists a direct contact number: 803-567-2959.
This isn’t a government office or a corporate nonprofit. It’s a personal mission—one veteran helping others, right here on the island.
Why This Local Approach Matters
What makes this effort unique is not just the services offered, but the veteran-to-veteran trust that drives it. Veterans are often more comfortable opening up to those who have shared their experiences. Blount provides not only technical assistance, but emotional support, peer counseling, and a safe space for veterans to speak freely.
Programs like this also address key gaps in the broader VA system:
- Access: By operating from St. Helena Island, Blount removes the transportation barrier that prevents many veterans from pursuing help.
- Understanding: As a veteran herself, she can explain the VA system in practical terms, anticipate common pitfalls, and offer real-world guidance on next steps.
- Connection: The act of reaching out builds relationships, reduces isolation, and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose—both critical to veterans’ mental health and reintegration into civilian life.
St. Helena Island: A Community Rooted in Resilience
For centuries, St. Helena Island has been a place of survival, self-sufficiency, and solidarity. Home to one of the first self-governed communities of formerly enslaved people during the Civil War era, the island remains a cultural cornerstone of the Gullah Geechee people.
The island’s deeply held values—family, faith, respect for elders, and service to others—are the same values that underpin initiatives like Vets Helping Vets. In many ways, Blount’s work continues a long tradition of neighbors stepping up to care for one another.
And in a time when many rural veterans face disproportionate rates of poverty, chronic illness, and even suicide, this kind of local leadership is not just helpful—it’s essential.
A Promise Kept
At the heart of every folded flag is a promise—that those who serve will not be forgotten. On St. Helena Island, that promise is being kept, not with speeches or parades, but with patient guidance, a listening ear, and a community-led commitment to care.
Through Vets Helping Vets, Jindia Blount is proving that one person, rooted in purpose and community, can make a lasting impact. This is what it looks like when we honor veterans not just with words—but with action.
Get Involved or Get Help
Whether you’re a veteran in need of assistance or someone looking to support those who served, here’s how you can get involved:
- Make an Appointment: Veterans in need of benefits assistance can call 803-567-2959 to schedule an appointment with IT2 Jindia Blount.
- Spread the Word: Share information about Vets Helping Vets with family, friends, and neighbors on St. Helena Island and across Beaufort County.
- Support Local Veterans: Consider supporting local veteran organizations, attending community events, or volunteering your time to programs that serve those who served.
