Marine wants to 'sell' his military leave to help homeless

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By Margo Rutlede Kissell, Staff Writer 5:47 PM Monday, August 24, 2009

Marine Cpl. Matthew Purkey wants to “sell” his 96 hours of military leave over Thanksgiving to raise $2,400 to benefit a homeless shelter.

The 27-year-old Waynesville native would like to spend those four days living among and helping the homeless in Wilmington, N.C., where he’s stationed at Camp Lejeune. Purkey is seeking $25 in donations per hour of leave to raise the money.

He came up with the idea to help Good Shepherd Center, a nonprofit that feeds the hungry and shelters the homeless, after hearing his Life Community Church minister gave a sermon asking the congregation if they’re doing enough to help those less fortunate.

“In the Marines, I’m taught to fight wars abroad,” said Purkey, whose 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is expected to deploy in January, possibly to Afghanistan. “I realized wars need to be fought locally here, too.”

Purkey said his gunnery sergeant and officer-in-charge approved his idea. A base public affairs officer said he didn’t have enough information Monday to comment.

Purkey said there’s a place in his heart for those who are homeless and battling addictions because he struggled with alcoholism before becoming sober this year.

“I know the demons these people deal with because I dealt with it,” he said in a phone interview.

Purkey’s sister, Sarah Gradel of Oakwood, said she was stunned when Matthew told her wouldn’t make it home for Thanksgiving because he’s trying to sell his leave hours.

“It just seemed so outrageous,” she said.

But after hearing him talk passionately about wanting to help the homeless, she’s come to admires his decision. In fact, she and her husband plan to buy a couple of his hours.

Purkey said he has gathered about 12 hours worth of donations so far and hopes to sell the rest by Nov. 1. To find out more about how to donate to his fundraising cause, contact Purkey at matthew.purkey@usmc.mil.

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