Mummers Clubs Come Together To Give Back To Homeless Veterans

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- 'Tis the season of giving and more than three dozen Mummers groups are working to do their part.

Normally, a U-Haul parked outside of a Fancy Brigade clubhouse in South Philadelphia would be getting stuffed with feather and sequin costumes, but not on Saturday.

"We are delivering food and supplies to homeless veterans at the Philadelphia Comfort House," explained Bill Mulligan with the Shooting Stars Fancy Brigade. "What gives me juice in life is helping those that are less fortunate and that have less than me."

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Mulligan helped set up this donation three years ago and it's grown to include just about every Mummers club. He says 38 clubs came together for a common goal: giving back to those who have given so much.

"These people have nothing," Mulligan said. "These are veterans that are homeless and are hungry and cold in the winter."

A steady flow of cars, pickups trucks and mini vans stopped out front of the Shooting Stars clubhouse Saturday to drop off food and supplies which were then loaded into the U-Haul truck.

Louis Speziale with Ferko String Band looked on with a smile.

"A lot of people don't realize that although we are different divisions on New Year's Day, we are all one under the mummers umbrella," Speziale said. "We all support each other and support causes like this."

The Veterans Comfort House aims to help by restoring self-confidence in vets and help them achieve civilian goals.

In:
• Homelessness
• KYW Newsradio
• Philadelphia