A member of Pinkerton- Williams Disabled American Veteran Chapter 18 accepts a donation during a fund raiser at Fort Gordon Oct. 31. Photo by retired Command Sgt. Maj. Al Robinson Area veterans continue their work of helping other veterans.

On Oct. 31, members of Pinkerton-Williams Disabled American Veteran Chapter 18 set up a table at the Fort Gordon Commissary and PX for a fundraiser.

Johnny Patterson chapter commander said, "Our mission is dedicated to one, single purpose building better lives for all of our nation's disabled veterans and their Families."

He pointed out how the organization is carrying out that mission. "This mission is carried forward by providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their Families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies of government."

Other activities the group offers include: providing outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their Families specifically; and representing the interest of disabled veterans, their Families, their widowed spouses and their orphans before Congress, as well as state and local government.

Patterson said the organization is also extending the DAV's mission of hope into the communities where veterans and their Families live through a network of state-level departments and local chapters. "We provide a structure through which disabled veterans can express their compassion for their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer programs".

The commander said "the monies we raise are used to support many activities such as: donations to VA medical centers, meal programs for veterans, temporary housing for veterans and their Families, transportation, VA volunteer services, old veteran assistance, grants to needy veterans, and donations to state veteran homes."

The Pinkerton-Williams Disabled American Veteran Chapter 18 meets 10 a.m. the fourth Saturday of the month on the first floor in Erwin Towers, 1365 Laney Walker Blvd., Augusta, Ga. Service officers will be at the meetings to assist any veteran, their Family members and widowed spouses.