PALM HARBOR, Fla. — After two decades of serving in the U.S. Navy, Paul Keyes started clothing business Club-214 to bring Tampa Bay veterans closer together.
In the years since it has become more than just clothes — the organization has grown into a full-fledged 501(c)(3) non-profit helping Tampa Bay-area veterans bond, find fellowship and get assistance.
Keyes started his Club-214 Military Land and Sea clothing page with an active duty Navy Seal, which quickly expanded into a Facebook group of over 3,000 members. The clothing store that once defined the business now provides merchandise for monthly group events that Club-214 holds.
"It was originally boating events and land meetups," Keyes said in an interview with 10 Tampa Bay. "And that's kind of evolved into comrades and coffee, which is a monthly event we do to connect veterans at a coffee meetup, where we bring in guest speakers, like a mental health therapist, come in and talk to veterans about their PTSD, anxiety and kind of coping mechanisms to kind of deal with that stuff."
"We're bringing in PTSD dogs, so an organization will come in and give veterans dogs training so that they can help them with their PTSD and anxiety," Keyes continued. "That's happening next month."
The organization also holds business and networking events where veterans who are members of Club-214 can talk about their businesses or find help with transitioning to a new career. It also began hosting a kids club for the children of veterans to get together.
Keyes says finding a community of active duty military members or veterans is crucial for well-being.
"That was a big struggle in the military is traveling every four years trying to make new friends," Keyes said. "I just really miss the brotherhood and sisterhood of all of our veteran communities."
Richard Zayas, a board member of Club-214, met Keyes through a local veteran event before the club took off. Zayas emphasized the need for community in a position that most don't understand.
"Well, transitioning is very, very difficult for many people, you're trying to find that cohesive connection with the private sector," Zayas told 10 Tampa Bay. "The group itself has come together where they provide resources, you know, coaching, guiding, and even providing workshops, where we discuss how to get people to transition."
The group isn't only for veterans, though. Zayas expressed how important it is for those who are on active duty to see the community waiting for them.
"What we're trying to do, too, is not only the veterans but active duty," Zayas said. "We do have several active duty members who are still deployed or on active duty status, but with the veterans as well, give them a different outlet, a different view, something different, and that's what we're providing."
Keyes said the club hopes to expand across Florida and beyond. Veterans from other states have also inquired about starting their own clubs across the U.S. to provide support, Keyes said.