Circleville, OH – The American Legion Post 134 in Circleville, Ohio, has stepped up to support homeless veterans in the local community by donating 25 blankets to the Ohio House. The initiative, which was launched in response to a critical need identified last year, highlights the organization’s ongoing commitment to veterans.
Roger Ward, Commander of the Circleville post, explained that the idea for the donation came about in November 2024 after learning about the shortage of blankets for local homeless veterans. “When I heard about the need, it was a no-brainer. We brought it up at a meeting, voted on it, and got it done. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor,” Ward said.
The American Legion, the largest veterans organization in the world, was founded in 1919 and has a long history of supporting those who have served in the military. The local chapter was established in the 1940s. Ward emphasized that providing for homeless veterans is a core mission of the Legion. “That’s why we’re here,” he said. “We have a responsibility to help those who’ve served our country, and right now, we have a lot of veterans out there struggling with homelessness. We’ll do what we can to help them.”
PICCA (Pickaway County Community Action Organization), which provides transitional housing for veterans at its Ohio House facility. Ohio House is a two-story building that can house up to 16 individuals, offering a vital resource for veterans transitioning out of homelessness. Last year, PICCA served over 100 veterans, providing not just shelter but also essential items like blankets, pillows, hygiene products, and even “move-out baskets” containing necessities like toothpaste, hairbrushes, and other essentials for those transitioning into permanent housing.
“We provide everything within Ohio House for the veterans,” said Fallon Kingery
Community Services Director for PICCA. “We let them take their blankets, pillows, sheets, and all their hygiene products with them when they leave. We also give them a move-out basket to help with their transition. We rely heavily on donations from organizations like the American Legion to help us meet the needs of these veterans.”
PICCA also operates affordable transitional housing for homeless women and families at three other apartments. Along with the donations of items such as toiletries and personal care products, PICCA relies on community support to provide food for residents. Local schools often donate meals, and the organization provides three meals and snacks a day for those living in its housing.
Looking ahead, the American Legion Post 134 and PICCA plan to continue their collaboration to help local veterans in need. Ward reflected on the importance of supporting the community, saying, “We’re here for the kids, too, but helping veterans, especially those facing homelessness, is a big part of what we do. We’ll keep doing everything we can to support them.”
Both organizations are hopeful that their ongoing efforts will inspire more donations and support from the community, ensuring that veterans in need continue to receive the help they deserve.
