SCRANTON, Pa. — Carols of good tidings could be heard throughout St. Francis Commons in Scranton. The facility is a transitional housing complex for homeless veterans.
"Most of them have no income, nothing to fall back on, no family. We're their new family," said Ken Matalavy, St. Francis Commons program supervisor.
St. Francis is getting ready to welcome two new residents. They'll have all the support they need to get back on their feet.
"We help them deal with their problems. We help them establish whatever goals they want to work on. We're just here to help them work on their goals and get them to independence," Matalavy said.
This holiday season, the vets who live at the facility got an extra dose of Christmas cheer as the Carbondale American Legion provided a bit of comfort—a stocking for each resident stuffed to the top with personal care items.
"Inside the stocking is a bunch of toiletries, that maybe if they're making money, they don't need to spend it on themselves, maybe they can treat themselves to something nice," Michelle Poyer, secretary of the Carbondale American Legion Auxiliary.
And there are a few extra sweet treats, little luxuries like a $20 gift card.
"To know that they fought so much for us and to just do these little, tiny things. To us, maybe we take it for granted, but it means the world," Poyer said.
The highlight for these veterans was a handwritten note from Carbondale Area school students spreading hope to our heroes.
"It's a blessing for these guys to have people come in and do this for them," Matalavy said.
Making St. Francis Commons feel a little bit more like home this holiday.
"Hopefully, this little bit of Christmas magic will swirl through and give them hope this next year to finish their transition into the community," Poyer added.
The Legion also made a stop at the Gino Merli Veterans Center, making two monetary donations totaling $600.