North Country Veterans help veterans: making Christmas bright

WEST CHAZY | They started filling boxes full of food a little past 8 a.m. on Saturday. Within an hour, the entire meeting hall at the North Country Veterans Association (NCVA) was a matrix of boxes, pickers and packers, some in Santa hats and Christmas sweaters. A lot of cheer went into every box. An entire crew of veterans and their families worked to make sure fellow veterans and their families had a meal for Christmas and stores to last a few weeks more. Founded independently by five G.I.s, the NCVA focuses on finding ways to take care of their own. They started with five food baskets and a van in 1981. At first, their effort reached out to Vietnam veterans. In decades since, they've expanded to every veteran and help between 45 and 65 families, often those who aren't connected to veteran support networks. Ken Hynes, director of grants and NCVA secretary, said their outreach extends year-round. But making holidays special adds wrapped gifts and gift cards, warm clothing and home delivery. "We will bring the food boxes to about 45 veterans and their families on Dec. 23 this year. We take care of those who fall through the cracks," he said. They work by word-of-mouth and through Clinton County Veterans Affairs to find those who could benefit most. Frank McGrath, who served in the U.S. Air Force at Plattsburgh's Strategic Air Command (SAC) base and with the U.S. Army Reserve, worked with Jason Renadette, former U.S. Army National Guardsman in Operation Iraqi Freedom, to co-chair the Christmas Basket project this year. Two long tables lined with big, empty boxes lined the middle of the room when they started. "There will be a box of non-perishables for every family," Renadette said, "and we will add a ham, butter and bacon. These will be delivered to all of the homes, mostly in Clinton County and some in Essex County. Our resources come largely from community fundraising." McGrath said they receive huge support from community, especially over the past few years as costs of food and other consumables have been driven up by inflation. "There is a need for our veterans," he said. "We have over 200 members in the NCVA from all over the U.S., including veterans who lived here or served here and moved away." Finding ways to reach beyond VA programs is really a kind of hand-to-hand process. "We reach out to find people who don't receive other services, and that includes spouses, wives who have lost husbands that served in the military. We give them whatever we can, and it means a lot," McGrath said. They find homeless veterans, too, through fellow veterans or word-of-mouth. It's a keenly focused local effort. "When we've made the deliveries, and I go home for a Christmas dinner," McGrath said, "I want to feel that I did everything on this Earth to help people. We are very grateful for the community support and for the veterans and their families who are here to help us." Erin Hynes filled boxes for several hours Saturday morning, choosing items from lists prepared for each individual family. Ken's daughter, she has helped with the Christmas Basket project for over 30 years. It's part of their family's holiday tradition and brings in wrapping talent from her mom, Colleen Hynes, and her sister, Kenna Felio. Some of the veterans' grandchildren buzzed in and around the food shelves, helping stock up boxes. "When I was a kid, we didn't really have a place to do this," Erin remembered with a smile. "We used to meet in a room with one table at the old American Legion on Sailly Avenue." Now, many hands make light work. Rolling racks help move cartons along shelves that hold tons of food. Other bins on wheels and wagons pushed and pulled boxes down the aisles until they were filled. With these food baskets goes a pile of presents and envelopes with gift cards for teens. By the time the volunteer corps were done, the tables were lined with boxes filled to the brim. The North Country Veterans Association provides services for veterans all year round, including counseling, a library and food, personal care items and clothing. The association's center at 27 Town Line Road was built in 1988 on property purchased with member donations. They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. NCVA welcomes new members, volunteers and referrals and holds a monthly meeting on the last Tuesday of every month. Veterans meet from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a business meeting that starts at 7 p.m. They use their kitchen for shared meals, but have no bar or alcohol on site. To find out how to join or support the NCVA: 518-563-3426.

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North Country Veterans help veterans: making Christmas bright

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