Kevin Knaus, Great Great Great Grandson of William and Sarah Scholl

Helping homeless veterans Carroll student Seth Larimore, right, had a grocery drive to help homeless veterans. The collection was for a project called Operation Heartland. He and his friend, Kevin Knaus, pictured left, delivered the items to Indianapolis. Photo provided

A Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School student conducted a food drive to help with a winning project in the WRTV 6/"Oprah's Big Give Indiana" contest.

The winning project (one of two in Indiana) was Operation Heartland, submitted by Indianapolis residents and Air Force veterans, Scott and Katie Taylor. The Taylors submitted the proposal to help the organization, HVAF (Helping Homeless Veterans and Families) of Indiana Inc.

HVAF, the only organization of its kind in the state, has helped thousands of veterans break the cycle of homelessness. The Taylors learned that HVAF had acquired a 40-unit apartment building for homeless veterans of Indiana, but needed additional resources to furnish and stock the apartments.

Besides nominating the project in hopes of winning the monetary prize, the Taylors contacted their friend, Seth, of Flora, to see if he could help by organizing a food drive in his community.

Seth, who will be a senior at Carroll, collected non-perishable items at his school and at his church, Flora First Christian. Over a two-week period, 22 sacks of groceries and paper products and 10 flats of canned goods and dry cereals were donated.

Eventually, Operation Heartland won $5,000 in the contest.

Seth had become acquainted with the Taylors in connection with his plans to pursue a career in the Air Force.

"The food that I collected went to supply the kitchens of an apartment building that is used to help homeless veterans make the transition back into living on their own," Seth said. "My friend, Kevin Knaus, and I delivered the food to the Taylors in Indianapolis and from there, HVAF sent a truck to pick up the food and take it directly to the apartment building. This was a very worthy cause to help those who have served our country unselfishly. Thanks to all of the students and members of the Flora community who donated to the effort."

Seth is the son of Randy and Teri Larimore, and Kevin is the son of Merl and Janice Knaus of Flora.

HVAF helps veterans of any age when they are displaced for various reasons. For more information, visit www.HVAF.org.