On Sept. 16, Youth for Veterans was officially recognized as a charitable organization by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The budding community service group is at the helm of a movement to rally younger generations to support veterans in Lancaster County - and local eighth-grader Chase Muchmore is leading the charge.

Chase started Youth for Veterans in 2024. Although it only recently became recognized by the state as an official nonprofit organization, the Manor Middle School student has been working hard to support Lancaster County veterans in a number of ways. He recruited his friends and community members to assist veterans with landscaping projects such as weeding, installing garden beds, mulching and mowing their grass. After a local Vietnam War veteran experienced medical issues that prevented him from maintaining his yard, Chase assembled a group of volunteers to pull out weeds and help reorganize the man's recently flooded basement.

"I think it's important to be grateful and to just show veterans that you appreciate them," said Chase. "Without them fighting for our country, we wouldn't have the freedom we have today."

In addition to helping veterans in the area with community service projects, Chase has used Youth for Veterans to create an ongoing snack drive for Lebanon VA Medical Center. With the help of his mother, Cassie Arico, Chase spent several months collecting individually wrapped snacks, such as cookies, granola bars, popcorn and candy, from donors throughout the community. On Sept. 22, Chase and his mother delivered a trunk full of treats to the veterans' hospital. Chase had the idea to start the snack drive after the director of Lancaster Veterans Affairs, one of Youth for Veterans' frequent partners, suggested reaching out to Lebanon VA Medical Center.

Another one of Youth for Veterans' partners is Lancaster Snow Angels, a community safety initiative that aims to reduce winter-related injuries and isolation experienced by seniors and disabled veterans. Lancaster Snow Angels invited Chase to participate as a judge during the organization's annual car show on Sept. 27, where he also set up a table to offer information about Youth for Veterans and its work in the community. Chase will also handle snow removal for veterans in his area during the winter months.

Youth for Veterans will host its second annual Veterans Day program on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. The event will take place at Manor Township Municipal Building, 950 W. Fairway Drive, Lancaster, and it will feature a guest speaker and a performance by a singer. Chase will hand out appreciation cards to veterans who attend the program.

As he reaches the milestone of registering Youth for Veterans as an official nonprofit organization, Chase is looking ahead to what he wants to accomplish in the future. He plans to become involved with local parades and other community events, in addition to creating a youth board to involve more of his peers with Youth for Veterans and its projects.

For more information, visit "Youth for Veterans - Lancaster County" on Facebook or email youthforveterans2025@gmail.com.