Allied Veterans of the World, Inc. and Affiliates (AVW) have donated $1,000,000 to purchase a building and provide start-up costs for a Jacksonville area in-house center to help veterans in need.

The group’s aggressive goal is to immediately fill a void for American heroes who have fallen on hard times during this tumultuous economy by opening the AVW Veterans Center in time for the holidays, according to Jerry Bass, National Commander, Allied Veterans of the World, Inc.

Vets on a tight budget can put away their wallets over the next few days.

Some of the nation's largest retailers are offering a satchel full of freebies to veterans and active military members in honor of Veterans Day. Most of the freebies require proof of military service. Many are restricted to specific hours on Friday, but some of the giveaways begin earlier and have fewer restrictions.