MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Marine Corps League will be holding a fundraising drive for veterans in distress today and Saturday. Members will be at local supermarkets collecting the funds.
“Our program is called Vets in Distress,” said Larry Devlin, commandant of the Knox County Marine Corps League 1299. “We have some families that we are going to try and help out. We will be collecting money to see what we can do for them.”
The drive got off to a good start with a $250 donation from the Fraternal Order of Police which was presented to the league by Capt. David Shaffer of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Devlin said he hoped to raise enough money to be able to buy a food basket for the five families they have identified as being in need of some help for the holiday season. Any leftover funds would be divided between the families for gift cards.
“We will give them a gift card they can use for Christmas,” Devlin explained. “That way they can use it for presents or whatever the kids might need.”
The schedule for donation sites is:
Today and Saturday:
•Dale’s Cardinal market, Danville, 2 to 5 p.m.
•Fredericktown Market, 4 to 7 p.m.
•Neff’s, 3 to 6 p.m.
•Walmart, 2 to 5 on Saturday only.
Devlin said those who wish to donate will recognize members by their red unit caps. He also said there will be a restored M.A.S.H. unit vehicle at Walmart on Saturday.
