LARKSVILLE — Good things happen in our area all the time — people raise money, distribute food, donate toys — all done in the spirit of helping our fellow human beings in need.
Like those great volunteers from the American Legion’s District 12, who for the eighth straight year expressed their love and respect for residents at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township. They delivered cookies, cupcakes and other snacks to the veterans on Christmas morning, ensuring that the men and women who have served their country so selflessly had a very Merry Christmas this year.
“We want our vets to know how much we love them and appreciate them, even if we can’t be in there with them,” said District 12 canteen fund representative Nicole Guest, who has been instrumental in organizing similar food drives for the vets over the last two years, after COVID-19 forced the holiday parties to come to a halt.
The passionate efforts of these volunteers, who have been sending donations and food into the VA month after month, serve to keep the veterans’ spirits up inside the medical center and to make sure they know they haven’t been forgotten.
Guest said, “It’s hard not being in there with our veterans, especially on Christmas, but we do what we can to help them.”
That says it all — do what we can to help those who need help, who appreciate being remembered, who deserve some special treatment — every day.
Billy Ellsworth, a local humanitarian who grew up in Plymouth and played shortstop for me back in the day, is at it again.
To celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday and also to honor our veterans, Ellsworth and a few of his musician friends will hold a show at the American Legion, Post 655, 354 E. State Street, Larksville. It will be held on Saturday Jan. 8, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A $20 donation includes entertainment, snacks, pizza and refreshments. Entertainers will be Dave Yefko as Elvis, Billy Ellsworth as Billy Troubadour, Ronnie “The Polish Clapton “ Dudinski, Tracy “DC” Askew as the MC, and Mark “The Shark” Dushok — all of Plymouth.
Ellsworth said the show will be dedicated to the valiant young men from Plymouth who gave their lives in service to our country during the Vietnam War.
“I never knew these honorable soldiers and Marines, but I knew many of their younger brothers who grieved for the loss of their older brothers,” Ellsworth said. “Plymouth suffered more KIA’s per capita than any other community in Northeastern Pennsylvania during this war.”
The seven young men who gave their lives are: Leonard Bish, Army; Sterling Coates, Marines; Frank Glowiak, Army; David Lee, Army; Edison Phillips, Army; Joseph Sinkewicz, Marines; Daniel Witko, Army.
“I am honored to say I also served proudly in the United States Air Force and I see it as my duty to honor these young Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice during a very difficult time in our nation’s history,” Ellsworth said. “Thank you honorable Sons of Plymouth, you are not, nor will be, forgotten.”
Ellsworth said all proceeds from the event will go to the Patriots Cove in Noxen, which is a nonprofit veterans retreat facility for all veterans, first responders and their caregivers. He said the facility helps veterans heal and adapt to their new lives after service to their country or community.
Through events on the Patriots Cove’s spacious 18-acre refuge, they provide restorative outdoor activities, environmental service projects and educational events and retreats.
For more information on this worthwhile organization, go to Patriotscove.org.
Ellsworth is hoping for a great turn out. He can be reached at 570-606-9303 for donation information. Besides food, drink and entertainment, 50/50, basket raffles and gifts from “The King” himself will be available.
“Come on out for a great night of entertainment, but more importantly, come on out to help support and remember our nations most precious asset, our Veterans,” Ellsworth said.
Ellsworth said he first started doing foreign missionary with a friend from the Church of Christ Uniting in Kingston — John Johnson, formerly from Plymouth.
Billy comes from a large family like most of us living in Plymouth back then. We all lived modest lives.
Some of the projects he has helped to fund in Ecuador include, cataract surgeries, clean drinking water in schools, children’s scholarships (his biggest contribution), funds for greenhouses, a bakery and a stove for a school kitchen.
Ellsworth’s efforts are genuine. They are founded on his belief that something should be done for human beings who need help.
Try to make it to the Larksville American Legion on Jan. 8.