Sitting in a rocking chair underneath a shade tree in the front yard, Betty Shackleford gestured to her friend and neighbor Julie Porter, “She is a daughter to me,” Shackleford offered.

The thought was shared by Porter. “She is one of the reasons I am in this neighborhood, and we are just family.”

Porter explained how Shackleford played a role in her relocation to Graham St. in Mineola.

It was also through this close relationship that a team of volunteers converged on the Shackleford residence last Saturday to give the home much needed exterior maintenance. 

Leading that effort was the newly-founded non-profit organization “They Got Your 6 Foundation,” led by Quitman resident Chris Marcellaro.

He explained that Porter’s son-in-law (a veteran) had attended a meeting and it was there that the connection to the Shackleford home was made.

Although Marcellaro has been personally leading assistance efforts for veterans and first responders and their families for the past six years, the group became an official non-profit organization as of July 7. This was their first official project.

Marcellaro commented, “It started out to be a scrape and paint on the exterior but we realized that we had some other issues to deal with.”

Replacement of some rotted planks on the back side of the house and clearing out a heavily-overgrown backyard were added to the list.

Almost 30 volunteers busied themselves on the house. After the prep work, Saturday morning was painting day, with work clearing the backyard continuing.

The non-profit is broadly chartered. Marcellaro explained that they offer assistance in counseling, food and clothing, temporary housing, job placement and general assistance to veterans and first responders and their families. This project was, as many are, a special undertaking.

Mrs. Shackleford had been in Mineola for the last 23 years, after having relocated to be near her sister. She recounted meeting her late husband – a Navy vet – and the whirlwind romance they had.

“We had many good years together,” she stated.

She was obviously pleased at the improvements to her home.

“I try to pay them, but they don’t accept, so I’ll just put some money into the food bank at church,” stated Shackleford.  

The foundation meets twice a month for dinner and fellowship at the American Legion Hall in Mineola and once a month for coffee at the Speakeasy Coffeehouse in Quitman.

As Marcellaro explained, “We are not a long-term solution, but we can help to get someone back on their feet.”