Gold Star Mothers Maryland Chapter, Inc members were invited by Mr. Walter Elmore, Community & Civic Engagement Coordinator/National Veterans Service Officer Access Housing, Inc to volunteer at their (2025) Operation Turkey Dinner & Fix-ins distribution. Access Housing sponsored a two-day distribution, November 24 th and 25th,2025 at the Access housing building located at 820 Chesapeake Street, SE, (Ward 8), Washington, DC. Donna Robinson and Janice Chance Represented the MD Chapter on November 24, 2025. They joined Operation Second Chance staff Ms. Stephanie Albrecht, Administrative Assistant, and Mr. Colton Trahan, Director of Operations Heroes Ridge at Raven Rock/ U. S Army National Guard; Rear Admiral Matthew Kleinman, United States Public Health Services and members of his team; U. S Armed Forces Military Sorority Sigma Phi Psi members; Ms. Tyra Nelson, Workforce Program Coordinator, and Ms. Wanda Dade Case Manager, U.S VETS organization. The volunteers assisted with the assembly of the food bags and distribution. The Turkeys and fix- ins were distributed to former homeless veterans and their families, as well as veterans who have been negatively impacted by the recent federal government shut down and furloughs. Rear Admiral Kleinman, Mr. Gregory Crawford, Executive Director Access housing and Mr. Elmore thanked the volunteers for their participation. Mr. Jerryl Bennett, HUD Liaison at the U. S Department of Housing and Urban Development was also in attendance to thank the veterans and to support the volunteers. Donna and Janice also seized the opportunity to thank the veterans and the volunteers for their service and wished them a Happy Thanksgiving as they were distributing the Turkeys and the fix ins. The veterans expressed their appreciation for the Thanksgiving Turkeys and the fix-ins.
Donna, Janice and all of the volunteers were given the opportunity to spend time interacting with some of the veterans during lunch that was provided for the veterans and the volunteers. At the end of the food distribution Janice and Donna were asked by Mr. Elmore to share about their fallen hero and the Gold Star Mothers organization. The volunteers expressed their appreciation to the moms and shared that they are looking forward to serving again with them at other scheduled events. It was a beautiful sunny day for the Operation Turkey and Fix-Ins Distribution. The Mission for the Day was Completed!
