Submitted photo / David DiTallo Military Officers Association of America-Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter board members receive a tour and briefing from Youngstown Blue Coats founder and president Patty Summers at the Blue Coats headquarters in Hubbard.

Staff report

HUBBARD — “The mission is simple. In America, nobody should freeze to death.”

Those were the words of Youngtown Blue Coats founder and president Patty Summers at the organization’s new headquarters in Hubbard.

Military Officers Association of America-Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter had a chance to learn that first hand as members of the board of directors recently toured the Blue Coats facility at 2654 N. Main St. and presented a $3,800 MOAA Foundation Community Outreach Grant to supply warm weather clothing and outdoor survival items for the coming winter.

July may not be the month to think about cold weather (even in Ohio!), but Blue Coats vice president and treasurer Roseann Panning said purchasing items is a year-round task.

“MOAA’s grant will go a long way getting us ready for this winter,” she said.

While the Blue Coats often receive clothing from local retailers, they nonetheless must often purchase new items to meet specific needs, such as boots, which must be properly sized and fitted.

“Local retailers are wonderfully generous with their donations, but sometimes we have to purchase some items directly. The MOAA grant gives us the flexibility to purchase what we need,” Summers said.

The Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter (MSVC) is no stranger to partnering with the Youngstown Blue Coats. The chapter delivered its first MOAA Foundation Community Outreach Grant of $2,500 in 2025 and supported the group with private donations in 2023 and 2024 through internal chapter fundraising.

Taking the chapter’s support to the next level was the brain child of MSVC Vice President and Director of Grants Maj. Joseph Mersol (U.S. Army, retired).

“The MOAA grant is beyond generous. But equally vital is teaming with the Blue Coats at community awareness and fundraising events and Veteran Standowns throughout the year. We will back up the dollars with hands-on assistance,” Mersol said.

And for those chapter members who are not faint of heart, direct outreach to homeless individuals and veterans at remote encampments in the greater Mahoning and Shenango Valley environs can be arranged with prior coordination.

As Blue Coat veteran liaison and former U.S. Marine John Johnston noted, “It is a life changing experience. It will change your life forever.”

Anyone wanting to support the Youngstown Blue Coats can learn more about them at https://www.ytownbluecoats.org/.