The VFW Post 3762 Riders will be holding a coat drive to benefit Fayette County families throughout February and they need the community’s continued support.
According to public affairs officer for the Riders, Sam Johnson, the coat drive will be held to benefit local families to give back to them for all of the support they have received. Besides finding families who would benefit from the coats, the Riders also intend to donate the other coats to Vivian Wood at the Believe Store in New Holland to be distributed to those in need. The coat drive will be held from Feb. 1-27.
“The community really gives us the help we need a lot,” Johnson said Thursday during an interview. “They have really accepted us and have helped us grow. This is just one way we are giving back, and we appreciate any donations. These will go to help the needy families of Fayette County and veterans around the area as well.”
A dinner will be held on Feb. 27 from 5 until 7 p.m. The meal will consist of baked steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and a dessert. Veterans will eat free at the meal and those who bring donation items to the dinner will also eat free. For all others, the meal is $5 and money raised will go to continue helping local residents. The event will be held at the VFW Post 3762 at 335 Veterans Way in Washington Court House.
“We have been holding a few meals recently for veterans,” Johnson said. “We have invited them to come to and eat breakfast and some dinners with us for free. We have seen these veterans also come in and donate to us to grow our programs a little more. This is all about giving back to the community and that is what the Riders want to do. Not enough people give back, but the people like Vivian and places like the Believe Store give back quite a lot. We just want to get as much as we can so more people can benefit.”
Later on this year, the Riders have a few other events planned. On June 4, motorcyclists will be invited to join them for the second-annual Hospice for Heroes Run, a bike ride that benefits veterans in the Hospice program. Last year this event raised $4,000 and Johnson said they intend to beat that amount this year. Another event is the third-annual Warrior Run to be held in September, with no date set just yet. Otherwise, residents interested in joining or volunteering for these events should contact the riders to find out how.
For more information, to donate, to help out with events or to see how to join the Riders, contact Duke Hanscel at (740) 505-4459, Dave Scarberry at (740) 505-0987 or Johnson at (740) 505-2650.
