The Valor Clinic Foundation from Jonas, in collaboration with St. Jerome’s Catholic Church and local organizations, held its first veteran/homeless outreach drive this past Sunday at the Lansford Fire Company.

The organizations involved included the Salvation Army, the American Fire Company, Shepherd House Lansford Food Pantry, Legion Post 123, Coaldale VFW, Nesquehoning VFW Auxiliary, Panther Valley JROTC program and Nestle.

The event hoped to cater to the needs of the community and especially those of veterans who might be struggling financially and be in a homeless situation. The food and clothes drive didn’t turn anyone away, but concentrated on serving the veteran military community.

The event was deemed a success by organizer Christine LeClair, a St. Jerome’s representative and vice commander of Legion Post 123, and it served 88 people and eight veterans.

LeClair said, “Kids walked in wearing tank tops and out with winter coats. One child didn’t even have shoes. Another celebrated his 7th birthday there so he could have a hot meal.”

“It was a fantastic turnout. I was thrilled,” LeClair said.

Volunteers were busy sorting clothes and organizing them in boxes by size and gender, and were briefed by Amy Bamford, Valor’s board secretary, about the homeless population and how to best serve the needy who would come in to receive help.

The event provided toiletries, clothes in all sizes, socks, food and other items that were donated by organizations and people in the community.

Ronald Kehl Jr. from Nestle donated water. Mike Vigoda, commander of the Coaldale VFW, donated hamburgers. Everyone worked together and came from near and far to make the event a reality and a success.

They intend to have the same kind of event on a quarterly basis, but no date has been set for the next one yet.

Valor Clinic Foundation is always accepting donations, and if people want to get involved in volunteering or donating goods they can go to the group’s Facebook page or website at www.valorclinic.org.