Home with Heroes helps give back to local veterans

Published 12:08 am Friday, December 1, 2017

NATCHEZ — Home with Heroes is all about giving back to those who sacrificed greatly for us.

Throughout the year and especially during the holiday season, the nonprofit group aims to help veterans and their families with all sorts of needs at no charge to the veterans, Home with Heroes President Mark LaFrancis said.

“Every veteran … took an oath to go anywhere at any time to do anything for United States citizens,” LaFrancis said. “Our organization is honored to be able to do something for them. It’s as simple as that.”

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A 23-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, LaFrancis said this time of year is especially important in fulfilling the needs of veterans.

One way Home with Heroes’ helps veterans is through emergency aid.

“At this time of year, we usually get multiple calls for veterans … that need a helping hand, especially in the bitter, cold weather,” LaFrancis said.

With the help of Adams County Veterans Affairs officer Sonjagela Johnson, Home with Heroes works to identify and assist veterans by providing food vouchers, gasoline, clothing and even emergency housing.

LaFrancis also said Home with Heroes even provides emergency gift cards, which he said can be distributed to veterans in need within an hour’s time.

“We don’t want any veteran to have an emergency that we can’t help,” LaFrancis said.

Additionally, one of the group’s mainstay projects, Helping Hands for Veterans, offers light home and yard improvements to local veterans in need.

The organization is also developing a couple new projects.

For the beginning of 2018, LaFrancis has plans to establish a veterans clothing and food bank and a “Visiting Vets” program, which will involve making visits to veterans at their residences or providing transportation to vets in need.

But in order to do all these things, LaFrancis said the group relies almost entirely on donations.

Those wishing to contribute can mail a check to 317-A Highland Blvd. or visit homewithheroes.org and click the “Donate” tab.

Anyone who would like to volunteer can learn more by visiting the website or by calling LaFrancis at 601-442-0980.