SHARE THIS

VALOR’s primary mission is providing support for veterans and their families. However, they don’t turn away anyone in need.

As a veteran, I was disappointed that West Easton failed to generate much in the way of items to VALOR, during the donation drive in the month of December.

Joan Heebner, our Borough Manager, donated boxes of hats and scarves she knitted herself. I contributed a few plastic bags of gently used clothing and a box of non-perishables.

On Saturday, I decided to visit the VALOR Clinic Foundation’s Stand Down Event. I made my way to Safe Harbor in Easton for VALOR’s 10:00 a.m. monthly Stand Down.

After finally convincing the VALOR volunteers that I wasn’t there to receive decent clothing and hadn’t walked out of the woods after 20 years living in a cave, they took back the sleeping bag, tent, and new underwear they gave me.

I actually spent an hour talking with Beth Lutz, our West Easton resident who recognized me from her attendance at council meetings. Beth is a volunteer with VALOR.

Beth went into detail about the non-profit organization, how distributions are conducted, fund raising events, locations they visit, and other services they provide, such as one volunteer who works with veterans suffering from PTSD.

This veteran invites those with PTSD to join his group, where he teaches them fly-fishing. Everything from tying their own flies to actual fishing excursions.

Beth showed me a trailer designated for veterans. In it were some of the more difficult items to obtain through donations. Tents, sleeping bags, packaged underwear, etc.

Another trailer, as well as a great number of boxes filled with clothing were available to anyone in need.

I found one of the items they offer particularly interesting. Thick mats I assumed were made from cloth. I was correct in assuming they were for laying under a sleeping bag, but wrong about the material.

They were knitted plastic shopping bags. Repelling dampness, they kept sleeping bags from getting wet from contact with the ground, or dew that forms on a tent floor. Now, there’s a million dollar idea for someone.

As Beth told me, not everyone who comes to them is living on the street. Many may be living at Safe Haven, or even renting, but they have no extra money for clothing and other items the rest of us can afford in our own budget.

I did learn of one man actually living in the woods, somewhere in Easton. I won’t disclose his location, which is on the property of a business that knows he is there and has no problem in his living in their woods. He has never been a problem and apparently prefers the solitude.

It’s a symbiotic relationship that benefits both. He has a safe area where he is not accosted and the business gets a night watchman of sorts, who picks up trash on the property, as he scours for recycling items.

I found the dedication of these volunteers to their cause inspiring.

While people are now quick to thank a veteran for their service, there are few willing to show that thanks in more meaningful ways, if needed.

And you don’t have to be a VALOR volunteer to show it.

What I noticed during my tour was VALOR is in desperate need of canned and non-perishable food items. I saw a lot of clothing, but nothing in the way of food, other than the free hot breakfast souffle and cookies they offered to those who came that morning.

At 11:00, VALOR was packing up, getting ready to depart Easton and move to their next distribution point.

Their next stop was Bethlehem at a location near the Hill To Hill Bridge. They had to move to the bridge location after they were “uninvited” from their former location near the casino. A couple of years ago they were told by the Mayor of Bethlehem that Bethlehem had no homeless. “Christmas City” apparently had a miracle.

More likely, it was a “political solution.” Simply declare something doesn’t exist. Four major cities in the United States have done it – officially – by formal declaration that they have no homeless. Maybe Bethlehem should be the fifth.

God forbid a homeless veterans support group is seen near a tourist location. The tourists might think there are actually veterans in the city who need assistance.

When VALOR departs Bethlehem they then head to their Allentown location. It’s a full day for the volunteers and I thank them for their time. They haven’t forgotten the veterans who, for some reason or another, found difficulty in life after serving their country.

Your donation to VALOR, especially canned foods and women’s hygiene items, would be greatly appreciated.

If every household in West Easton dropped off just one can of anything, we could provide over 500 cans of food to our local veterans in need. That’s 42 cases of canned goods – almost a full pallet.

So, please go to your cupboard and give up a 50-cent can of corn, or a can of tuna you got on sale (pull open cans, or tear open pouches, if possible). Any non-perishable will do. These men and women gave up a lot more for us, and could now use a hand UP.

Borough Hall will continue collecting donations for VALOR. Please drop off your donation inside, during business hours. Do not leave items at the door.

All donations will be delivered to VALOR before their next Stand Down on the 4th Saturday in January.

To visit VALOR Clinic Foundation’s Facebook page, CLICK HERE.

UPDATED: 1/2/20