David Bates, the founder of Warriors Way, has an update on the organization helping veterans and area youth!
“We provide temporary emergency financial assistance to our county veterans. We will assist with rent, house payments, food, utilities and other items such as gas cards, work boots, things like that. So if a veteran is in need or they're having a hard time we don't want to see them without. We want them to come to our office now before it gets out of hand so we can help them,” said Tamara Wilson, executive director of the Allen County Veterans Service Commission.
The Allen County Fair took time to honor veterans from every era.
The pantry serves nearly 800 veterans and their families each month from its location on North Street in Lima. While the service will remain the same, the location will not. The property was sold by Mercy Health St. Rita’s, and pantry leaders are now seeking a new building.
“This year’s show was another great success,” said one organizer. “Even with the heat, the community came out strong, and we’re proud to support these groups doing meaningful work.” Among the non-profits receiving funds was the Veterans Food Pantry of Northwest Ohio, Warriors Way, Spread the Love, The Love Luggage Project, Westgate Angels, All Star Pet Rescue, Soldiers of Honor, and The Arc of Lima.
July 1, 2025, Press Release from OhioHealth:
LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - The 122nd Army Band brought some victory vibes to the Civic Center as part of its concert tour celebrating the 250th birth…
"Any of our veterans that are waiting for their appointments or their rides to appointments, they now will have a place to get in out of the weather," said Allen County Commissioner Brian Winegardner. "There will be a bathroom in there, lobby, office area, storage and so on. So I think it will be a good fit for what our veterans need."
"Before we only went to Dayton, but now this is local," said Tamara Wilson, Executive Director of the Allen County Veterans Service Commission. "So, if they have an appointment out at one of the local medical facilities or one of the hospitals or something like that, if they need to go over to Findlay for an appointment, we'll get them there."
“We will be doing an honor escort from the American Legion to the fairgrounds that day,” said Tamara Wilson, executive director of the Allen County Veterans Service Commission. “We will have police and fire escorts that will lead us into the fairgrounds for our Veterans Day at the Allen County Fair, and we would like our community to participate and give our veterans of Allen County a proper welcome home.”