WILDWOOD ─ “I’m here to help,” Jackie Blaydes told the Herald Dec. 14 during a phone interview. The Herald was notified of Blaydes’ award and reached out to Blaydes, an employee at the Cape May County One-Stop Career Center under the state Department of Labor. Blaydes, who likes to “keep a low profile,” told of her desire to help veterans transition and find needed services because she is “one of them.”
A 20-year-Navy veteran, Blaydes has seen firsthand the struggles of men and women in uniform during combat situations in the Middle East.
Trained as a medical corpsman in search and rescue, Blaydes served from 1980 to 2000. Blaydes was deployed in Desert Storm and Desert Shield and was “one of the first on the ground” because of her skills in search and rescue.
A graduate of Millville High School, Blaydes recalled summers spent in Wildwood where her family owned a summer home.
Blaydes recently relocated from Wildwood to Galloway.
Working for the Career Center is Blaydes’ third career and is the first to be named Employee of the Month. A typical day for Blaydes includes finding housing referrals and meeting other needs.
“At least I have the resources,” Blaydes said. According to her, Cape May County hosts a large veteran population, and many are in need of what others consider basics: food and shelter.
“I had one vet who did not have any shoes,” Blaydes recounted of one case. Though the veteran worked a job, he had no shoes or proper work clothing. Due to her networking, Blaydes was able to obtain clothing and footwear.
Despite her initiative and skills, Blaydes told the Herald she was “dumb-founded” when she learned she had been nominated as Employee of the Month.
Blaydes realizes the immense task of aiding the county’s veteran population but is undeterred. She hopes those who have received help “pay it forward” to other servicemen and women.
Young, old, and anywhere in between, veterans face unique difficulties and are often reluctant to ask for help.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for the help,” Blaydes said. She will “be there” and continue to listen and serve.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.
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