County Donation Drive for Veterans a Success

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the Mercer County administration.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and the county’s Department of Veteran Services once again teamed up to conduct the annual donation drive to help veterans and their families enjoy the comforts of a hot meal on each holiday.

This year’s effort has been a resounding success, with more than $9,000 collected so far, which provided complete holiday meals for approximately 100 veterans and their families.

County Executive Hughes thanked county residents, county employees and others who donated, and extended special gratitude to the Disabled American Veterans’ chapter in Mercer County. The Disabled American Veterans have made an annual tradition of donating thousands of dollars to the County’s holiday meals drive for veterans.

“Once again, we have far exceeded our donation goal and were able to provide meals to veterans throughout the area,” Hughes said. “That kind of generosity is what makes Mercer County great. Our veterans have given so much, and these meals are a small token of how much we care.””

The holiday meal fund drive is an annual county endeavor. Rather than collecting donations of food, Mercer County’s Department of Veteran Services accepts monetary donations that go toward the purchase of grocery gift cards veterans can use to purchase holiday meals. Veterans pick up those vouchers in time for holiday meal preparations. Mercer County Veteran Services uses every dollar collected during the drive to purchase and distribute grocery gift cards.

Donations are accepted throughout the year, not just during the holidays. If you wish to donate, make your checks payable to Mercer County Trust Fund. Please mail your donations to the Mercer County Department of Veteran Services, 2280 Hamilton Avenue, Hamilton, N.J. 08619. For additional information, please call (609) 989-6120.