Hundreds receive school essentials in Lansford
On Saturday, scores of local youngsters were given the essentials they need to start the new school year.
“Stand Down Day” was held at the Lansford Fire Company during which bookbags, pencils, erasers, clothing, shoes and even food were handed out to anyone who attended.
The event was sponsored by the Valor Clinic Foundation, a national nonprofit organization committed to improving access to quality of health care and shelter of military veterans.
Although veterans with military ID received priority at the event, it was open to anyone.
Christine LeClair of Lansford, the organizer and a volunteer with the Valor Clinic Foundation, said 464 people attended.
Besides school items, those who came to the event were offered a free meal, fresh fruit courtesy of local farms and advice on the benefits offered by numerous organizations including the Carbon County Office of Veterans Affairs, St. Luke’s Hospital, The Carbon Monroe Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission and from mental health professionals.
“It’s mainly the Valor Clinic (involved) but the whole community is pitching in,” LeClair said.
She was thrilled with the support from the community saying that 50 to 60 volunteers helped.
She said, “Valor brings all the clothing, toiletries and nonperishable food.”
Many of the school supplies were donated by local Girl Scouts.
Betsy Arner, a Girl Scout leader in Nesquehoning, said troops in Nesquehoning and Jim Thorpe raised money to buy backpacks that were given away at the Stand Down Day. She said enough money was raised to purchase 250 backpacks.
Various corporations also made donations.
LeClair was thrilled with the turnout. She said last year about 90 people benefited from the distribution. “I guess word got out,” she said.
Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein attended and said, “I’m amazed. I’m amazed by the amount of volunteers from all the organizations and the families that turned out.”
Rick Parsons, chief probation officer in Carbon County, helped hand out backpacks.
“There are a lot of good things happening,” he said.
Mike Meining of Palmerton, veterans outreach coordinator for the clinic, said similar events are held in the Lehigh Valley, East Stroudsburg, Hazleton and Scranton.
LeClair said none have the participation and attendance as the one did in Lansford.
She said the Homelessness Task Force also participated and surveyed people attending on homelessness. The survey asked questions such as where the homeless slept the previous night and other information that might be used to better help them.
Meining said the Valor Clinic Foundation has a sanctuary for homeless veterans in Jonas in Monroe County. It also provides furniture for veterans.
“We provided furniture for over 470 homeless veterans in Northeastern Pennsylvania who got apartments or housing,” he said.
Apples, oranges, bananas and other fruit were handed out to the visitors of Stand Down Day. Much of the fruit and vegetables were donated by Foothill Farms, Faust Farms and Leiby Farms.
Members of the Holy Cross Fraternity, Order of Franciscans, made homemade baked goods which were given to attendees.
The meal that was served was provided by St. Vincent DePaul, the food pantry of St. Joseph’s Church, Summit Hill.