David's Drive 831 (DD831) was created in 2010 in memory of David Turner Jr., who died in 2009 at the age of 20 of a suspected heart arrhythmia. While working in the canteen at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, David Jr. learned that many veterans lacked basic necessities. The goal of the charity at the onset was to honor David Jr. by providing veterans with T-shirts, underwear and socks.

Today, the work of David's Drive has continued and has grown to include many service projects that benefit veterans.

For example, this past spring, DD831 volunteers took a group of veterans to several Philadelphia Phillies games, including one on May 22, which was David Jr.'s birthday. Past outings have included taking veterans to a Philadelphia 76ers game and preseason Philadelphia Eagles games.

In April, DD831 sponsored the Lathe Project for Veterans. Using the donated lathe machines, veterans are now able to create bowls and other objects made of wood. "(Veterans who reside at the VA) need opportunities for doing something different," said David Turner Sr., founder and president of DD831.

In June, the charity hosted its annual chartered fishing trip for veterans, and in August, DD831 hosted more than 100 veterans at the third annual David's Drive 831 Festival for Veterans.

"We served cheese steaks, grilled chicken, corn on the cob and sides, most of which was donated by Triple Fresh Market," noted Turner, adding that David Jr. once worked at the market. The festival also featured magician David Hall and live music by The Burners.

As part of an ongoing effort, the Turner family hosts a picnic each year at its home. Attendees are asked to bring a donation of socks or underwear to the event. According to Turner, the first David's Drive picnic was held on May 22, 2010, on what would have been David's 21st birthday. At the time, the family chose to celebrate David's life with a picnic in the backyard and to honor his wish to help veterans by holding the clothing drive. The tradition has continued ever since.

Most recently, DD831 delivered more than 350 cases of shampoo and body wash to the Coatesville VA valued at more than $16,000. The items were donated by the Farason Corporation in Coatesville.

David's Drive will also sponsor a variety of activities during Veterans Week, Monday, Nov. 6, through Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Coatesville VA, including super bingo. At least 1,000 prizes will be given out.

To learn more about the charity, the community is invited to attend a Veterans Day ceremony to be held at Tel Hai Retirement Community on Sunday, Nov. 5, beginning at 2 p.m. Turner, accompanied by his wife, Joy, will be the guest speaker at the event, which will include patriotic music by the 49ers Chorus and the honoring of local veterans. The program will be held in Tel Hai's StoneCroft Center for the Performing Arts, 4000 Tree Line Drive, Honey Brook.

For more information about David's Drive or to make a donation, visit http://www.davidsdrive831.org or http://www.facebook.com/davids.drive.