BURNHAM –The Fraternal Order of Eagles in Burnham will host a Veterans Benefit Drive on Saturday, Nov. 15, to raise funds for the Mifflin County Veterans Organization, which supports local veterans in ways federal and state programs often cannot.

The public event will feature raffles, small games of chance, and opportunities for direct donations, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the county’s veterans network.

For Tammy Ferguson, a veteran herself and a member of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Council for Veteran Services, the drive is about more than fundraising. “This is a collaborative effort with the Mifflin County Veterans Organization,” Ferguson said. “We’re working together to meet everyday needs that aren’t always covered by the VA or social services.” She pointed to examples ranging from helping veterans pay utility bills to building wheelchair ramps and maintaining memorial spaces such as Veterans Highway.

Pennsylvania has one of the largest veteran populations in the country–seventh overall, according to Ferguson, with roughly 700,000 former service members statewide. About 3,000 live in Mifflin County, and the benefits and challenges that come with those numbers are reflected locally.

“The goal is that once they come back here, we take care of them and make sure they stay,” she said. “Veterans are natural leaders. They make our communities stronger.”

That sense of local pride runs through every aspect of the event. The Eagles’ “Those Who Serve” program, which honors veterans, first responders, and law enforcement officers, aligns directly with the purpose of the drive. “Our overall mission is people helping people,” Ferguson said. “And this benefit is an extension of that.”

The proceeds will help the Mifflin County Veterans Organization continue its work supporting veterans with food security, housing, employment, and mental health access–issues Ferguson calls part of a larger “veteran ecosystem.”

“We’re very fortunate,” she said. “We have a proactive Veterans Service Office here. Jimmy Peters and his staff are doing tremendous work connecting people to medical and mental health care. And through the unemployment office, they’re helping place veterans into sustainable jobs. It all has to work together to be successful”.

One of the strongest local resources, she said, is the MilitaryShare food bank run by Darlene Riker and volunteers, which provides groceries monthly to area veterans and their families.

“Food security is one of the biggest needs,” Ferguson noted. “Programs like MilitaryShare make an immediate difference.”

The benefit itself will rely heavily on community participation. Local businesses have donated gift cards, prizes, and services to be raffled off, while residents are encouraged to attend or contribute directly. “The local businesses have shown up in great response,” Ferguson said. “For a small hometown community, we’re doing our part.”

Those who can’t attend in person may donate through the Fraternal Order of Eagles or directly to the Mifflin County Veterans Organization by contacting Ed Mann or James Peters at the county Veterans Service Office.

The event, open to the public despite the Eagles’ private-club status, also serves as a reminder that honoring veterans shouldn’t be limited to one day each year. “It’s easy to thank someone on Veterans Day,” Ferguson said. “But showing gratitude, recognizing their service, and helping them find resources, that’s something everyone can do year-round.”

She encourages residents to take small actions: check in on a neighbor who served, recommend resources, or express thanks. “If you see a vet in need, try to direct them toward help,” she said. “The Veterans Service Office is the best place to start.”

Ferguson hopes the benefit sends a clear message to those who served: that the community sees them and values them. “We respect them, we honor them, and we’re blessed to have them as part of our community,” she said. “They’re making a difference every day, and this is our way of giving back.”

While she acknowledges that small towns face their own limitations, she believes Mifflin County’s scale is a strength. “Every community doesn’t operate like ours,” Ferguson said. “Sometimes being small is nice. We look out for each other.”

Through her role on the Governor’s Advisory Council, Ferguson also works on statewide initiatives to attract and retain veterans in Pennsylvania, ensuring that programs like the one in Mifflin County can be models for others. “We’re getting there one day at a time,” she said. “It’s about building connections and showing veterans that this is a place where they’re valued.”.

For Ferguson, the goal is simple but lasting: “We want every veteran to know–we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re working for you.”