Jeffrey Mullen, from Spring City, Pa., visits his father, Village of Silver Lake resident Leo Mullen, at least twice a year.
Leo and Jeffrey Mullen are friends of Eileen Mlligan, who serves as public relations chairman of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347.
“Jeffrey heard me speak about our many outreach programs, and asked how he might be of some help. So Milligan put him in touch with the American Legion Auxiliary’s chairman of Veterans’ Affairs and Rehabilitation , Mary La Noce, who spearheads efforts to help homeless veterans living in the Ocala National Forest.
Jeffrey told Mary he would like to do something to help the homeless veterans in the forest — and has overwhelmed her with his generosity. Mary has received so many large packages from Jeffrey containing sleeping bags, tarps and tents to help the homeless veterans weather the coming cold winter —  she wanted to meet Jeffrey in person.
Jeffrey Mullen recently met Mary La Noce at the American Legion’s Post 347 in Lady Lak. They shared lunch and celebrated U.S. Army veteran, Leo Mullen’s 82nd birthday with a cake.
Donating items to help our military troops is not a new thing for Jeffrey. Up north, he became involved with sending many ‘care packages’ to active duty military in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also persuaded a comic book retail outlet to sell him thousands of comics at large discounts to ship overseas.
“I enjoy doing whatever I can to help the men and women in our military,” Jeffrey said. “Instead of making monetary donations to organized charities, I prefer to take a more direct, personal approach. I have not served in the military myself, but I feel an obligation to support those who are risking their lives serving our country.”
“If we live under the rights and freedoms these brave soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines have defended for us, I feel it is the right thing to show them our support. By doing this, I feel a connection — to contribute to the morale of the troops — to ask them to keep going, because someone back home is thinking about them and appreciates all they do.”
Also attending the birthday celebration were Carol Pirone-Udell, president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347; Leo Mullen’s companion, Carol Armband and Jeffrey’s younger brother, Scott Mullen.
For more information about helping veterans in need, contact Lady Lake resident, Mary La Noce, Chairman of the American Legion Auxiliary’s 6th District Americanism Unit/Veterans’ Administration and Rehabilitation Unit at Jomel710@yahoo.com or phone 352 408-0225.
