Various members of the Jim Thorpe community came together at the Jim Thorpe Sportsmen Club to thank area veterans with homemade dinners delivered to their homes.

David Gasker started the program six years ago in his home, making a full dinner for half a dozen veterans.

After the first two years, the “Neighbors on the Hill” Facebook Group joined him and continue to host the dinner.

Last year, dinners were delivered because of COVID-19. Dinners were delivered again this year.

“The first two years we were at my house,” Gasker explained, “then for the next two years we were at (Bernie and Nancy) Schweibinz’s house, and each year it progressed. This year we are up to about 40 veterans, and we are delivering 70 meals.”

“Everything is home-cooked by our volunteers,” Gasker continued.

The start with a dinner which includes a meat, mashed potatoes, filling, vegetables, and casseroles. They add sides like potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw; all the sides and gravies.

Homemade desserts and drinks are included, as well as a special appreciation package for each veteran.

Kelly Sutphin, a teacher at L. B. Morris Elementary School, put together the appreciation packages in baskets, one for each veteran. That package included snacks, puzzle books, lottery tickets, gift certificates, and more.

“I had the help of some L.B. Morris students, who also made personalized thank you cards for each veteran,” Sutphin said, “and students from Pleasant Valley Middle School helped make some of the gifts.”

Each year the number of veterans grows, but so does the amount of help in volunteers, including drivers. They also received monetary donations this year for the first time from private donors and from some groups like the American Legion and the Mauch Chunk Rod and Gun Club.

Seventeen students from the Jim Thorpe School District helped dish out the foods and prepare the boxes: Aurora Van Auken, Kayla Burak, Bryan Cox, Andrew Sveda, Sarah Hartman, Carsen Rosenberger, McKenna Montefour, Michael Strika, James Teddei, Katreena Bosks, Maggy Hallihan, Zak Pompa, Mia Hydro, Mikayleh Pritte, Patricia Trine, Katrin Cavanaugh, and Megan Rosanre; along with Ted LaRizzio, Jim Thorpe School District director of buildings and grounds.