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Non-profit organization honors first responders during 9/11

By CHRISTIE BELFORTSeptember 13, 2020

Clear Path for Veterans New England volunteers finished loading up a truck full of supplies at Devens, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020 . In honor of 9/11 and first responders, volunteers donate supplies to local police and fire stations within the area. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.)
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Clear Path for Veterans New England volunteers finished loading up a truck full of supplies at Devens, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020 . In honor of 9/11 and first responders, volunteers donate supplies to local police and fire stations within the area. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.) (Photo Credit: Spc. Christie Ann Belfort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Boxes of donated food, clothing, and school supplies from Clear Path for Veterans New England are staged in front of the Devens Fire Station at Devens, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. In honor of 9/11 and first responders, volunteers donate supplies to local police and fire stations within the area. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.)
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Boxes of donated food, clothing, and school supplies from Clear Path for Veterans New England are staged in front of the Devens Fire Station at Devens, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. In honor of 9/11 and first responders, volunteers donate supplies to local police and fire stations within the area. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.) (Photo Credit: Spc. Christie Ann Belfort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Charles Ellis (left), a Clear Path for Veterans New England volunteer introduces service dog Harry to Devens Fire Departement Cpt. Michael Whitter (right) r and Figherfighter Todd Whitter (middle) in Devens Mass. Sept. 11. 2020. Service dog training is one of many services that Clear Path for Veterans New England offers to veterans in need. The non-profit organization visited the fire department to donate supplies to in honor of 9/11 and first responders. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.)
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Charles Ellis (left), a Clear Path for Veterans New England volunteer introduces service dog Harry to Devens Fire Departement Cpt. Michael Whitter (right) r and Figherfighter Todd Whitter (middle) in Devens Mass. Sept. 11. 2020. Service dog training is one of many services that Clear Path for Veterans New England offers to veterans in need. The non-profit organization visited the fire department to donate supplies to in honor of 9/11 and first responders. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.) (Photo Credit: Spc. Christie Ann Belfort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Flags are raised at half-staff at the Ayer police station in Ayer, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. Mass. Governor Charlie Baker ordered that the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flags be raised at half-staff throughout the Commonwealth in honor of the victims of 9/11. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.)
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Flags are raised at half-staff at the Ayer police station in Ayer, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. Mass. Governor Charlie Baker ordered that the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flags be raised at half-staff throughout the Commonwealth in honor of the victims of 9/11. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.) (Photo Credit: Spc. Christie Ann Belfort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Michael Mullen, head of Program Development at Clear Path for Veterans New England, introduces himself to Detective Andrew Kularski and Sgt. Eric Pearson of the Ayer Police Department in Ayer, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. Mullen discussed the many programs that Clear Path for Veterans offers The non-profit organization visted the fire departement to donate the supplies to in honor of 9/11 and first responders. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.)
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Michael Mullen, head of Program Development at Clear Path for Veterans New England, introduces himself to Detective Andrew Kularski and Sgt. Eric Pearson of the Ayer Police Department in Ayer, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. Mullen discussed the many programs that Clear Path for Veterans offers The non-profit organization visted the fire departement to donate the supplies to in honor of 9/11 and first responders. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.) (Photo Credit: Spc. Christie Ann Belfort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Clear Path for Veterans New England volunteers retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Twichel, his son Easton Twichel, Charles Ellis, Program Developer Michael Mullen and Service Dog Trainer Cindy Butts pose for a group photo with Ayer fighterfighters in Ayer, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.)
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Clear Path for Veterans New England volunteers retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Twichel, his son Easton Twichel, Charles Ellis, Program Developer Michael Mullen and Service Dog Trainer Cindy Butts pose for a group photo with Ayer fighterfighters in Ayer, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.) (Photo Credit: Spc. Christie Ann Belfort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Clear Path for Veterans New England volunteers retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Twichel, his son Easton Twichel, Charles Ellis, Program Developer Michael Mullen and Service Dog Trainer Cindy Butts pose for a group photo with Shirley firefighters in Shirley, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. The visit provided an opportunity for Clear Path for Veterans New England to introduce themselves within the commuinity. (Photo taken by Army Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.)
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Clear Path for Veterans New England volunteers retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Twichel, his son Easton Twichel, Charles Ellis, Program Developer Michael Mullen and Service Dog Trainer Cindy Butts pose for a group photo with Shirley firefighters in Shirley, Mass. Sept. 11, 2020. The visit provided an opportunity for Clear Path for Veterans New England to introduce themselves within the commuinity. (Photo taken by Army Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.) (Photo Credit: Spc. Christie Ann Belfort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Shirley Police Department Lt. Alfreda Cromwell and Chief of Police Samuel Santiago expresses their apprieciation to Michael Mullen, head of Program Development at Clear Path for Veterans New England for their donations in Shirley, Mass. Sept 11, 2020. The non-profit organization visited the police department to donate supplies to in honor of 9/11 and first responders. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.)
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Shirley Police Department Lt. Alfreda Cromwell and Chief of Police Samuel Santiago expresses their apprieciation to Michael Mullen, head of Program Development at Clear Path for Veterans New England for their donations in Shirley, Mass. Sept 11, 2020. The non-profit organization visited the police department to donate supplies to in honor of 9/11 and first responders. (U.S Army Photo taken by Spc. Christie Ann Belfort.) (Photo Credit: Spc. Christie Ann Belfort) VIEW ORIGINAL

DEVENS, Mass.- In honor of 9/11, members from Clear Path for Veterans New England, a non-profit organization, chose to thank their local area first responders by visiting and donating boxes of clothes, snacks, and back-to-school supplies for them and their families Sept. 11, 2020.

These items came from various donors that wanted to show their respect for first responders on the anniversary of 9/11.

The visits also provided an opportunity to introduce themselves and the services the organization provides to the Devens, Ayer, and Shirley first responder communities.

“We are very appreciative when people take notice of us in a positive light,” said Shirley Police Lt. Alfreda Cromwell. “It doesn’t happen often enough. We have a wonderful department, people that care for our community, and we care very much about our veterans.”

“I thought it was fantastic!” said Ayer Police Sgt. Eric Pearson. “It’s not every day that we have people giving us positive messages, so when we have somebody come down that recognizes us and support what we do, just like we support the community. It’s fantastic and it made me feel good

Clear Path for Veterans New England has been conducting donation events since 2017. This was the organization’s first 9/11 community event.

“I feel good about today. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to show a little support for our community members and those that are doing so much for the rest of us without being asked. It’s humbling,” said Mullen. “We are here to support each other and the community.”

Clear Path for Veterans New England is a non-profit based on the whole health model of wellness that offers family force, volunteer, and K-9 program at no cost to veterans. For more information about Clear Path for Veterans New England and the programs they provide for veterans and first responders, visit www.clearpathne.org.

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