Every fall and winter, Drumroll Please Project collects clothing, hygiene products, and everyday essentials for veterans in the residential rehabilitation program at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. What started seven years ago as a few hundred dollars from friends and family has grown into a full-blown community effort—a recognized nonprofit and a registered charity in the State of Pennsylvania.
Coatesville VA Donation Drive:
Helping Veterans in Chester County, PA
What your donation provides
Veterans entering residential rehab often arrive with very little. Your gift helps cover the basics that make recovery and a fresh start possible:
Clothing: seasonal clothes, coats, socks, and shoes
Hygiene and health items: toiletries, grooming supplies, and personal care products
Food: snacks and groceries beyond what residents already receive
Transportation: rideshare cards for appointments, job interviews, and family visits
Who the drive helps
The Coatesville VA Medical Center in Chester County, Pennsylvania, runs a residential rehabilitation program for veterans recovering from substance use, homelessness, and other challenges. Everything we raise goes toward essentials for the residents of that program. These are veterans from our own communities who are working to rebuild their lives.
Seven years of showing up
The drive began with percussionist and music teacher Anthony Cracchiolo and his longtime student Jake "the Snake" Herring. They started a small, personal collection for Coatesville VA residents. Over time, Anthony's students and their families began volunteering, and each year the drive grew.
In 2025, the team raised more than $10,000 through personal, word-of-mouth fundraising. The effort has been covered by CBS3 Philadelphia, FOX 29 Philadelphia, and 6abc Action News. In 2026, Anthony and Jake formed a volunteer board and incorporated Drumroll Please Project so the drive could keep growing with full transparency.
Our 2026 goal: $15,000
Our goal this year is $15,000, enough to provide a full year of clothing, health, and hygiene items for residents of the Coatesville VA. Every donation, of any size, gets us closer.
How you can help
Donate online. Give securely through our GoFundMe campaign.
Share the drive. Send this page to friends, family, and coworkers, or post it on social media.
Bring in your business. Local businesses can sponsor the drive or match employee gifts. [Contact us] to get started.
Get in touch. Have questions or want to volunteer? Email drumrollpleaseproject@gmail.com.
Run by volunteers, built on transparency
Drumroll Please Project is a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation and registered charity (EIN: 42-5317487). Our board is 100% volunteer, with no paid officers or directors. Charitable funds are kept fully separate from personal finances, and any transaction that could benefit a board member goes through a documented conflict-of-interest review.
Frequently asked questions
Who does the Coatesville VA drive support?
Veterans in the residential rehabilitation program at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
What do donations pay for?
Clothing, hygiene and health products, food, and transportation help such as rideshare cards.
When does the drive take place?
The drive runs every year during the fall and winter, when the need for warm clothing and essentials is highest.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Drumroll Please Project is a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation and registered charity (EIN: 42-5317487). Please talk to your tax advisor about whether your gift is deductible.
Can I donate items instead of money?
Email drumrollpleaseproject@gmail.com and we'll help you coordinate an in-kind donation.
Who runs Drumroll Please Project?
Founder Anthony Cracchiolo and co-organizer Jake Herring, with a volunteer board of directors. Meet our board »