Revisiting a Good Story:

Although the below story was written to alert holiday givers, it rings true not matter what day or season. So we have dug into the archive to share it with you all again... Thank you Mr. Spencer for writing this story!

Spencer: Find legitimate veterans groups to support

By GIL SPENCER, Times Columnist

What is it about a man in camouflage battle fatigues that makes people open their wallets and shower him with money?

Whatever it is, a veterans charity group that recently opened an office in Prospect Park is hoping it works as well in Delaware County as it does in 16 other states.

The group is named Veterans Support Organization (VSO), the same initials used by Veteran Services Organizations, so accredited by the U.S. Veterans Administration.

The VSO, not to be confused with VSOs (or maybe that’s exactly the idea) is the brainchild of one Richard Van Houten, an eight-year U.S. Army veteran who now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Van Houten’s brilliant idea: Take homeless, down-on-their-luck veterans, give them jars and a spiel and let them solicit donations from the public outside stores and supermarkets.

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