Designer Showhouse For Heroes Raises Money To Help Veterans

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- On Veterans Day we honor those who have served, but supporting those service members extends beyond just today.

A local woman is dedicating her life to helping veterans cope with the wounds of war, and this weekend, her charity is hosting a fundraiser, using a mansion in New Jersey to raise money and awareness.

For 27 years, Sgt. Angel Rivera proudly dedicated his life to service. As an Army Reservist, he assisted in the search and recovery mission at ground zero in the days following 9/11, he deployed to Iraq, lost comrades, and underwent surgeries to correct injuries sustained on long convoys.

But, Rivera's internal wounds took the greatest toll -- even after he returned home to the Bronx.

"It was hard; from walking around with a weapon and full battle rattle, to walking around with nothing. No purpose," Rivera said.

Roughly 20 veterans commit suicide daily nationwide, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

That number motivated Judy Isaacson Schaffer -- a mother of two, a fellow New Yorker, and daughter of a World War II veteran -- to quit her sales job and attempt to change those statistics.

"They raise their hands to volunteer, and we need to take care of them," said Schaffer, who is founder and president of Heroes to Heroes. "There are more people out there that need what we do, and I'm not going to rest until I get to them."

Schaffer founded the non profit in 2010 -- geared toward combat veterans from all conflicts struggling to transition back to civilian life.

Heroes to Heroes sends warriors like Rivera on an all expense paid trip to Israel. The intimate groups guided by trained counselors visit historical sites like the Jordan River, tour the Holocaust Museum, and talk about the sacrifices they have all made.

"I came back relaxed, like my soul went through the washer," Rivera said."If she wouldn't have called me that day, I don't know if I would have done myself in...You can say she saved my life."

The 10-day trip costs $7,500 per person.

Interior designers teamed up and decorated a show house in Saddle River, New Jersey, where everything is for sale. Tickets cost $35 and the funds help sponsor trips for veterans. Ninety cents of every dollar donated, goes directly to helping those veterans.

The house is open until Sunday, Nov. 13.