By LAUREN WEST

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Since opening in May, the Home with Heroes clothing bank is fulfilling its mission of helping area veterans and their families, the organization’s founder said.

Home with Heroes founder and president Mark LaFrancis said that since the organization’s clothing bank opened in May, many veterans in the Miss-Lou have benefitted from the approximately 2,000 clothing donations the center has received and placed with veterans and their families.

“It has exceeded expectations in terms of the selection provided to veterans,” LaFrancis said. “Many veterans and their loved ones walk out with high-quality clothing.”

In March, the Home with Heroes Foundation announced plans to take over two unused rooms at the VFW building, 370 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive, to launch a clothing donation center and memorabilia room. The clothing bank opened in May.

While the nonprofit Home with Heroes Foundation is not a religious organization, LaFrancis said he sees the mission and the work of the organization as meeting the expectations of God.

“Without directly preaching the Gospel, we hope to bring strong patriotic faith through what we do because veterans are religious, and they have a deep spirituality,” LaFrancis said. “We hope to show by example how to treat those who served us.”

The clothing bank is opened from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday. During those hours veterans can take advantage of the offerings and people can volunteer to help with the center or stop by to make donations.

Next month, Home with Heroes hopes to open the memorabilia center that will operate as a mini-museum to showcase the dedication and service of veterans by allowing patrons to interact with the items associated with them, LaFrancis said.

Additionally, LaFrancis said he hopes the memorabilia center will help educate young people about veterans, their service and engage children through activities.

“We want the memorabilia room to be a living part of veteran’s service,” LaFrancis said.

With school starting back soon, LaFrancis said he hopes to further engage children in Home with Heroes by introducing a Patriotism Education Program, which aims to educate students about veterans, the national anthem and how to properly fold a flag.

Despite the success of the organization and its many programs, the Home with Heroes is always looking for new volunteers and donations, he said.

“We will take any generosity the community wants to give,” LaFrancis said. “And by volunteering people can do a lot of things for veterans in the area.”

People interested in volunteering at the center can reach LaFrancis at 601-442-0980 or email at gmarklafrancis@hotmail.com. Those wishing to contribute can mail a check to 501 State St., Natchez, MS 39120 or by visiting homewithheroes.org.