Arlington Veterans Need Your Help

AKRON, Ohio - Mary Clifford felt compelled to act when she came across a Facebook post from a local veteran who worried about the struggle by some, who served our country, to get basic needs. Eric Dickson, a resident of Arlington Veteran Housing project in Akron, wrote on a Pay it Forward site that the majority of the residents are unable to work and are on disability. "Several of us struggle to just get food or household needs like toilet paper. Some of us are extremely proud and don't like asking for help of any kind, but any help that we would get would be extremely appreciated," Dickson posted. After reading the message, Clifford, 56, began a campaign through friends and Facebook to get more food to the vets. "I feel the veterans are very important. They stood up and fought for our country and I feel that a lot of our country has let them down," Clifford said. She raised a couple hundred bucks and delivered 10 boxes filled with boxed food, canned goods and hygiene items. Clifford also handed out a couple of grocery store gift cards so that meat and fresh fruit could be purchased for the men. Tim Hodges, a resident and former Marine Corps drill instructor, was nearly moved to tears when he discussed what the kind gesture meant to the veterans. "We served. We're willing to give and it's time to give back," Hodges said. "We're very grateful for it. Any donations that we can get is helpful." In a Facebook message to newsnet5.com, Dickson also expressed his gratitude. "We would really like to thank her and the members of that group so much for helping our band of rag tag soldiers," he wrote. Michelle Walker, assistant property manager of the veteran's housing complex, pointed out the veterans have greatly reduced rent and furnished apartments, but most don't have extra cash to buy food or clothing. "Most of the tenants have no income at all, so they don't drive. They can't go pick it up," Walker said. Clifford said she would like to do more to help the veterans who live at the facility, which opened up last summer. She's considering organizing more food and clothing drives. "It makes everybody happy that they're grateful and thankful for what they were given," she said. Anyone wishing to donate to Arlington Veterans Housing should call 330-724-1210.