Local Army Veteran Ashley Waggoner went viral on Facebook Wednesday afternoon after she made a stand for local veterans amid recent panhandling controversy.
“It’s not right what these guys [panhandlers] are doing,” said Waggoner. “They’re not only scamming people. They are also taking away from other homeless people and homeless veterans in the county.”
Waggoner, who was discharged from the U.S. Army on full disability benefits, says she knows first hand what it is like to be a homeless veteran.
“There was a time when I was younger that I was pregnant and homeless. I got the courage up to ask my grandmother for help, and she helped me get back on my feet,” she explained.
After watching the Youtube videos that were posted by one of the Panhandlers, known as Kevin Rogers, she said the one that got to her the most was when he made light of pretending to be a veteran to get money.
“I had enough, I drove past the corner this morning and saw that they were back out there again. So I went and got some cardboard and came out here to warn people not to give them any money,” she said.
Waggoner sign reads, “DON’T GIVE TO SCAMMERS, 22 VETS DIE EVERY DAY, USE YOUR MONEY TO HELP THOSE WHO ACTUALLY NEED IT.”
Once she had her sign ready, she made her way to the corner where she said Rogers and his brother were at.
“He[Rogers], got in my face and told me I was taking his livelihood away from him. I said that was incorrect,” Waggoner said, “he then called law enforcement, and they came out to talk to us.”
Waggoner said that local officers from the Paris Police Department spoke to all parties and determined she was able to stay there with her sign. She advised that the officers did ask Rogers and his brother to leave.
“It’s frustrating to see them take away from people who need it, there are legitimate people who are homeless and veterans who need the help,” she said.
Waggoner said that one passer-by had stopped to give her a dollar to which she declined. The motorist said to her that he wanted to give her the dollar to show the others that they weren’t going to receive anything.
She further stated that she wasn’t there to receive any money. Still, the few dollars that people had given her she said will be matched dollar for dollar by Chuck McMasters owner of Washmaster’s and then donated to a local organization to help those who are doing the right thing.
“We don’t need to be giving them [Rogers and his brother] money; there are organizations here in the county that can use people’s donations to help those who really need it. Those who are doing the right things to turn their lives around,” Waggoner said.
Waggoner also said that although she is on full disability from the U.S. Army, her family is currently living off that wage, while her husband’s wage is going into savings to hopefully get a tiny house nation for veterans up and running here in Lamar County in the years to come.
“We are using my husband’s wage to set money aside because we want to build tiny houses to help veterans get back on their feet. No veteran should be homeless, and I know how long it can take and how hard it is to navigate your way through veteran services to get back on track,” she said.
Doing her part to help those in need, Waggoner said it was time for her to step up and be an example for the community to be better and do better by everyone.
“I will be here on the corner for however long it takes to get these guys to move on and to let locals know that there are plenty of great honorable organizations out there to donate to,” she said.
Standing up for what she believes in, Ashley Waggoner is more than a soldier; she is a mother, friend, daughter, wife, and community matriarch hoping to weed out those who are dishonestly accruing hard-earned money from those who could use a hand-up.
