County recorder of deeds shields veterans from rain this Christmas

COATESVILLE » There will be no rain-soaked veterans in Coatesville this Christmas. More than 125 veterans residing at the LZ II and Mary E. Walker House on the grounds of the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center were gifted brand new umbrellas as part of Chester County Recorder of Deeds Rick Loughery and his staff’s Christmas Veterans Drive.

This year’s drive began when the Recorder’s office reached out to the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Coatesville asking what their veteran residents might need as they transition from homelessness to independence.

The answer was unique: umbrellas.

“It may sound odd, but it was the first thing that came to my mind,” said Sandy Miller, director for Coatesville Residential Services for the Veterans Multi-Service Center. “Our residents use umbrellas on a regular basis. It’s one of those household items you take for granted until it’s pouring outside.”

“I was surprised,” said Recorder of Deeds Rick Loughery, regarding the request for umbrellas, “but my staff and I were only too happy to help keep the rain away this Christmas and support our local heroes as they get back on their feet. We are so thankful for the amazing support provided to our veterans by the staff at the LZ II and Mary E Walker House.”

Donations were collected at the Recorder of Deeds office from individuals throughout the community. “The outpouring of support for our veterans is constant in Chester County,” added Loughery. “I am convinced we have the most generous and community-oriented citizens in America.”

“Like the candle in our front window symbolizing a light drawing our lost brothers and sisters home, the office of the Recorder of Deeds continues to be a beacon of hope for our veterans,” added Martin.

The LZ II and the Mary E. Walker House, part of the Veterans Multi-Service Center nonprofit agency, provide transitional housing for homeless veterans with the goal to help them achieve independence.

Loughery and the Veterans Multi-Service Center facilities in Coatesville have partnered for the past five years as part of the Recorder of Deeds Veterans ID & Discount program, which honors Chester County Veterans with special ID cards recognizing their service and offering discounts to businesses across the county. The Recorder of Deeds office visits the Coatesville VA campus at least twice a year with the program.

LZ II, an abbreviation of “Landing Zone II,” is a 95bed transitional residence for homeless male Veterans. Known as “home” to over a thousand Veterans who have lived there since its opening in June of 1997, LZ II offers a safe, secure, and supportive environment in a structured program that fosters respect, recovery and responsibility while increasing independence as the Veteran transitions back into the community.

The Mary E. Walker House is a 30-bed transitional residence for homeless female veterans. Many of these women suffer from military sexual trauma; at present approximately 60 percent of the residents have this diagnosis. Currently one of the largest women Veteran transitional residence in the country, the Walker House and its staff strive to provide a comfortable, safe, and secure lifesetting, while fostering respect, responsibility, and recovery.