Assisting veterans.

That's why the Millersville VFW Post 7294 Auxiliary exists, and the group is living up to its mission.

On Jan. 2, the auxiliary delivered goods to Tenfold, a Lancaster city-based charity dedicated to helping people find safe and affordable housing.

"I heard of the Veterans' Victory House through the Tenfold organization that's located on King Street," said auxiliary trustee Phyllis Diller, who coordinated the project. "They help house homeless veterans, plus other families and couples in need of care. Our purpose as the auxiliary is to help veterans, so when I found out that they housed veterans, I contacted them."

On Dec. 20 and 21, Millersville VFW Post 7294 Auxiliary collected food including cereal, granola bars, canned pasta, and bottles of juice and sports drinks; goods such as silverware, dishes, sheets, and towels; and items for homeless people like sleeping bags, hygiene products, hand warmers, and seasonal appropriate clothing.

"We had two cars out back in the parking lot (of the VFW post), and people just drove through and dropped things off," auxiliary president Kim Sherr said. "And plus, some of the other items I'm sure will be used for other families that (Tenfold helps) that are in need."

Sherr noted that the auxiliary has approximately 400 members. The group works throughout the year to support the post and other local charities. Two examples are the chicken barbecues the post annually holds - one in June and one in September. "Veterans come down from Coatesville Veterans Hospital, and we feed them chicken barbecue, and we have bingo for them," said Sherr. "They shop in their commissary, and they have stores where they can buy things cheaply. We make sure they have plenty of coupons to take back to help with that."

The auxiliary also makes donations to local veterans' hospitals and supports local police and fire departments and food banks.

The post is seeking additional volunteers. "We're always accepting new members, whether it's VFW members, auxiliary members, or social members," said Sherr. "Anybody can be a member; it's a matter of which category they're in."

For more information, email vfwauxiliary7294event@gmail.com.