Each year, the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program (CCHVP) partners with the Arrow Exterminators Veterans Committee in collaboration with The Georgia Pest Control Association (GPCA), and 38 other Veteran Service Organizations in Georgia to support Georgia communities in the winter with a major coat drive.

This Coalition of One collects thousands of coats each year for our homeless veterans and their families. Coats are distributed directly to veterans and their families in need to show them our support and thank them for their sacrifices for our country. The 2023 coat drive brought in 6,526 coats, all of which were donated to needy individuals and families.

Check out pictures of the coat drive below and read more about the drive here.

Check out the latest happenings on our Facebook page.

Our Latest News:

• March, 2024. Local Veterans participate in 2023 HUD point-in-time homeless count. Smoke Signals. Read the article.
• January 21, 2024. Free veterans' Fly-Fishing Program ends 2023 and readies for 2024. LegionTown.org. Read the article.
• January 21, 2024. Homeless Veteran vigil held at nation's only homeless veteran monument at sundown on December 21 in Canton, GA. LegionTown.org. Read the article.
• January 21, 2024. Homeless Veteran Program partners with Arrow Exterminators, Auxiliary Unit 45 and Georgia PestVets to deliver 6,500+ coats ahead of Winter. LegionTown.org. Read the article.
• January 3, 2024. I Can’t Drive 55 – Cherokee County Homeless Veteran Program donates 55th vehicle in 2023. LegionTown.org. Read the article.
• Annual Homeless Count to be conducted January 22-29 in Cherokee, Pickens, Forsyth, and Dawson Counties. Read the press release.
• January 6, 2024. Red, White and Blue BBQ Announces NEW Date for Fourth Annual Event, Oct. 11th & 12th. Read the press release.
• Veteran homelessness sees largest spike in 12 years, VA reports: 'We have failed,' laments Army vet. The government has made 'empty promises' to military service members, says Mission Roll Call CEO Jim Whaley. Read the article.
• Q&A With Food Network Chef Brian Duffy. October 25, 2023. Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News. Read the article.
• Cherokee nonprofits aim to collect 7,500 coats for homeless ahead of winter. October 9, 2023. Cherokee Tribune via Newsbreak. Read the article.
• Coat drive with Arrow Exterminators. October 4, 2023. Enjoy Cherokee. Read the article.
• Barbeque contest in Canton to raise money for veteran suicide awareness and prevention. August 3, 2023. Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News. Read the article.
• Veteran Home Repair Program Kicks of 2022 Season with Free Veteran Roof Replacement Grant. May 4, 2022. Read the article.

Check Out Our Homeless Veterans Home Repair Update Where We Highlight Veteran Homes We Repair With Community Grants:

• Edition 10 HD - Home Depot Grant Report. We build a World War II veteran a vital ramp to his house. Read the article.
• Edition 13 HD - Home Depot Grant Report. We design and build a traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. Read the article.
• Edition 19 - Homeless Veteran Home Repair Update. We build a ramp to help a Woodstock Vietnam veteran overcome mobility restrictions. Read the article.

Check out media reports about our work with homeless veterans:

• February 14, 2022. Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News: Local car donations, scholarship programs help veterans get back on their feet. More.
• February 25, 2022. Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News: Annual count finds over 100 homeless people in Cherokee County. More.
• January 13, 2022. Legiontown: Car donation program provides 30th, 31st donated vehicle to two homeless disabled veterans. More.
• January 9, 2022. Legiontown: Homeless veteran program, partners donate over 3,500 winter coats ahead of cold weather. More.
• January 9, 2022. Legiontown: Local veterans organization provides truckload of baby supplies to Georgia Army National Guard families for holidays. More. 
• November 21, 2021. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Humanitarian workers step up as suicide rates rise. More.
• March 22, 2021. Legiontown: Cherokee County Homeless Veteran Program provides over 5,000 lbs. of meat, dairy, produce and food to rural veterans and veterans with families. More. 
• February 10, 2021. Smoke Signal News: Veteran organizations spend week doing homeless outreach. More.
• February 10, 2021. American Legion: Georgia Legionnaire doesn't let COVID-19 get in the way of assisting homeless veterans. More.
• January 31, 2021. Legiontown: Homeless veterans program donates 24-hour homeless kits to VA in support of OCW. More.
• January 31, 2021. Legiontown: County veterans conduct homeless outreach when state cancels National Point in Time count. More.
• January 15, 2021. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Some veterans say VA hospital rating system falls short. More.
• December 28, 2020. Legiontown: County comes out for candlelight vigil for homeless veterans on longest night of the year at nation's only homeless veteran statue. More.
• October 10, 2020: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia veterans' wait time for medical help skyrocket. More.
• October 5, 2020. Fox 5 Atlanta: Vets complain VA hospital wrongly blaming pandemic for poor customer service. More.
• September 28, 2020. Legiontown: Cherokee County Homeless Veteran Program partnership with American Legion Post 45 donates 20th vehicle to veterans in need of transportation. More.
• July 5, 2020. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Coronavirus heightens problems at veteran's Decatur hospital, clinics. More.
• August 2020. Parks and Rec Business: Turn a Disability to an Ability. More.
• July 2020. Smoke Signals: Leave no man or woman behind. More.
• May 7, 2020. Northwest Georgia News: Calhoun business helps raise money for homeless veterans. More.
• May 6, 2020. CBS46: American Legion post 45 gives veteran in need a tiny home. Home.
• December 14, 2019. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: VA hospital in Decatur gets bottom score again. More.
• November 21, 2019. CBS46: Alternative PTSD treatment for veterans. More.
• October 26, 2019. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Paying it forward to the veterans for the holidays. More.
• June 9, 2019. Legiontown: Canton (Ga.) Post 45 works with Homeless Veteran Program to provide 7th donated car in 18 months for a veteran in need. More.
• June 6, 2019. Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News: Community to remember homeless veteran Monday. More.
• January 25, 2019. Cherokee community shares in homeless veteran statue unveiling. More.
• November 15, 2018. Cherokee park could house nation's first homeless veteran statue. More.
• October 25, 2018. Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News: Cherokee park could house nation's first homeless veteran statue. More.
• February 12, 2018. CBS46: Struggling veteran finally gets VA benefits 31 years later. More.
• February 1, 2018. CBS46: Homeless veteran seeks help from VA. More.