Code Blue fundraiser needed now more than ever
Robert Minier talks about the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event as he sits under the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
John Livermore talks about the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event as he sits under the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Robert Minier and John Livermore talk about the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event as they sit under the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
New memorial flags are hung in preparation for the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event on the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
New memorial flags are hung in preparation for the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event on the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Robert Minier and John Livermore talk about the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event as they sit under the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Robert Minier talks about the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event as he sits under the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
John Livermore talks about the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event as he sits under the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Robert Minier and John Livermore talk about the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event as they sit under the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
New memorial flags are hung in preparation for the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event on the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
New memorial flags are hung in preparation for the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event on the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Robert Minier and John Livermore talk about the upcoming Code Blue fund raising event as they sit under the pavillion at Veteran’s Grove Park. The annual event is held to fund raise for Code Blue to help the charitable organization to shelter homeless. The Grove group raised $900.00 in 2025 and $1425 during their 2024 fund raiser. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
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A group of Lycoming County veterans and volunteers is planning to hold their annual fundraiser and clothing drive at Veterans Grove Memorial Park in Old Lycoming Township, with proceeds and collections of clean coats, hats, gloves and mittens and cash getting turned over to a Williamsport emergency warming shelter.
For Robert Minier being homeless in winter months should not subject one to danger from extreme cold, hypothermia or death, particularly anyone who served this country admirably in the military and that is why for several years, Minier and others belonging to Veterans Grove Memorial Park Committee, have manned the park site along Lycoming Creek Road and West Cottage Ave. to accept donated winter clothing and cash that is turned over to Code Blue, an emergency shelter at First United Methodist Church in Williamsport, that is operated by John and Sue Best.
"They love us," Minier said in an earlier story.
During his latest interview in preparation for the fundraiser, Minier said the group will be out grilling hot dogs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and selling roast beef sandwiches, baked beans and apple crisp starting on the last day at noon on Sunday.
"Our fundraiser will begin at about 9 a.m. Thursday (on Oct. 15) with hot dogs for sale," he said.
"We will be collecting any and all clean coats, hats, gloves, mittens and warm up items, along with cash donations," he said. "We try to do what we can for our veterans who go to the shelter, but it is for anybody who is homeless," he said. "We try to do what we can for Code Blue," Minier said. "We like to help out the veterans, that is our main intention, but there are others," he said, adding, "anyone can be on the verge of becoming homeless."
Indeed, the shelter offers a place for anybody in need to get out of winter's worst, offering hot meals, sleeping arrangements and safety from extreme cold temperatures that can quickly lead to deadly hypothermia regardless of age or duration of stay from Jan. 3, through March 21, according to its site.
As Minier stressed, the Bests have maintained that the dividing line between those with stable housing and those experiencing homelessness is "paper thin."
Code Blue began in 2018 as a three-night experimental pop-up shelter and has evolved into an ecumenical outreach program to the members of the community who need a safe, warm place to stay during the winter months.