The Project Help mobile closet is officially unveiled at Sussex County Community College in Newton on Tuesday, Sep 10, 2019. The renovated school bus will carry clothing and resources to veterans in need throughout New Jersey. (
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State Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) offers congratulations to Project Help Executive Director Sandy Mitchell (L) on the unveiling of the organization's mobile closet for veterans, at a ceremony held Tuesday, Sep 10, 2019 at Sussex County Community College in Newton. (
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(Front to rear) State Senator Steve Oroho (R-24), Sussex County Sheriff Mike Strada, Assemblyman Hal Wirths (R-24) and Assemblyman Parker Space (R-24) check out the clothing racks on the newly unveiled Project Help mobile closet for veterans, after a ceremony held Tuesday, Sep 10, 2019 at Sussex County Community College in Newton. (
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American Legion Riders from Post 157 in Branchville were part of a motorcycle escort for the Project Help mobile closet for veterans at the bus's official unveiling on Tuesday, Sep 10, 2019 at Sussex County Community College in Newton. (
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The quiet roar of motorcycles could be heard as American Legion Riders escorted a "mobile closet" school bus uphill at Sussex Community College (SCCC) on Tuesday evening, Sept. 10, 2019. The bus, a project years in the making, will serve as a resource center for veterans throughout New Jersey. The dramatic reveal was part of a well-attended event to introduce the bus to the public and celebrate the hard work that went into it. Awards were given to those who made the mobile closet possible including; Mike Miller of George’s Salvage, Karl Broton of Broton’s Contracting, Mike Merle of Tri-County Transmissions, the SMART sheet metal workers union, and the IUPAT Painters and Allied Trades union. State Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) said a few words in support of Project Help and the mobile closet.
“This bus is so important,” Oroho said, “Our military responds when we need them, and now we need to be there for them.”
American Legion Lt. Charles A. Meyer Post 86 of Newton Post Commander Tony Gallopo had one word for the mobile closet- “awesome”- and past commander Harry Kaplan agreed.
“This is much needed,” Kaplan said. “We have so many veterans who can’t get to the services they need.”
Project Help Executive Director Sandy Mitchell also expressed gratitude; to SCCC for providing the space for the reveal; to Applebee's Manager Chris Hopta for providing food for the event, and to the Project Help board, the American Legion Riders, and to the veterans and boy scouts.
Project Help is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to helping veterans in times of need by offering financial support, as well as assistance with finding stable jobs and housing and providing clothing and other necessities.
The bus, according to Mitchell, will cost approximately $7,500 annually to run and maintain. Anyone who wishes to donate or who would like more information on Project Help, their programs, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities, can visit the website at www.projecthelp.us.
“We have so many veterans who can’t get to the services they need," American Legion Post 86 Past Commander Harry Kaplan.