OXFORD – Residents and staff members of the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford have participated in a friendly competition to collect non-perishables for local food pantries. In total, the veterans were able to gather approximately 2,500 food items.

Six different neighborhoods of the facility made ready once more for the rigors of competition as they made their way forth is search of canned goods. The home's different disciples banded together with separate neighborhoods to form contingents which jostled for first place. For example, the home's nursing administrative staff congealed with the Oak Cottage neighborhood to form one fighting unit.

“We tried to make it fun and competitive for the residents and staff,” said organizer and facility nurse Susan Yadikaitas.

The competition’s victors were the Oak Orange with 1,190 non-perishables, with the ultimate winners being those in need in Chenango County. In addition, one individual donated $1 million to the nationwide effort, which in turn will be used to match – dollar for dollar – the collections gathered by places such as the NYS Veterans' Home, meaning the veterans’ efforts will go even further to help people.