SANDPOINT — It is fitting an annual veterans firewood project took place Memorial Day weekend.

"To me, that makes this event more special," VFW Post 2453 Commander Kent Hunt said during a break in stacking firewood as several dozen volunteers processed logs, separated the lumber rounds and split into firewood, which was then stacked into long, narrow rows.

The annual day of service, a combined effort of local veterans groups, community volunteers, and Cedar Hills Church, readies firewood for the community's veterans in need.

"We've got a chance to show up in a real, tangible way — by cutting and stacking firewood for local veterans and their families," volunteer team member Michele Murphree said in a flyer about the program. "[The program serves] those who’ve sacrificed so much for us. … This is sweat equity that matters. It’s about showing love with action and honoring the people in our community who’ve carried so much."

Thomas Lindley, the county's Veterans Services officer, agreed.

"There are people in the county who are having to choose between dinner and heat," Lindley said. "And many don't even realize it."

Murphree got involved with the veterans firewood program after the VFW adopted Southside Elementary for Food For Our Children. Murphree asked what she could do to repay their generosity, and VFW officials said she could either help with their bingo program or the firewood program.

The firewood program sounded more fun.

Over the years, the program has grown, with several dozen veterans, Cedar Hills Church members and community members teaming up to process the logs into firewood, getting the cords of wood ready for veterans in need.

Team leader Nathan Causey has been involved with the volunteer effort for the past four years, attracted by the chance to help others in a tangible way, putting their faith into action.

"We love our veterans and we like to serve in our community," Causey said of the church's adoption of the program. "Obviously, it's a church but we really try to be active in the community and when we can team up with a group like this … it's not that much of a lift."

The focus is on helping others, putting words to deeds, but also in having fun. Lunch — which this year included banana splits — is provided as is water, shade and other supplies.

"This is like a no-brainer," Causey said of the event. "One, we're serving the community. We do it because we're Christians as well. It's a great service and we have a chance to put our faith into action."

Causey said he loves the chance to be involved in the community and give back to the veterans who have done so much for the country.

"It's no different than pulling your neighbor out of a ditch when they slide off the road," he said. "It's the exact same thing. I might need you some day and it's that give and take. It's not that any of us want to take, but everybody needs a hand sometime. And obviously, our veterans here, whether they're elderly or disabled or whatever, they've served us. This gives us a chance to serve them."

Lindley, who brought along his two sons, said he loved the chance to help others, especially his fellow veterans.

"If you can see beyond your own problems to improve somebody else's life just a little bit, it makes you a better human," Lindley said.

Last winter, the veteran firewood project gave away all of the 18 cords of wood it had prepared. This year, volunteers have readied 20-plus cords of wood. Many of the logs were donated to the project by local arborist Ty Oliver, who drops off lumber gathered from jobs that he knows can be used for firewood.

"It helps the older generation and those veterans who are a little down on their luck," Hunt said. "Luckily, we get people in the community who can help. It's a great service."

Started by former VFW Post 2453 commander Michael Harmelin and others about 10 years ago, the program aims to help area veterans in need. The project operates on property once owned by another former post commander, Larry Peterson, and now owned by a nephew. Dozens of cords of wood are carefully processed, stacked and readied. All veterans need to do is show paperwork showing their veteran status and the wood is theirs.

If a veteran is in need, or someone knows a veteran in need, Hunt and Lindley said their hesitancy speaks volumes about their character and willingness to put others first. However, they want them to realize they earned the wood through their service.

Many veterans feel others are in greater need and are reluctant to accept help, both Lindley and Hunt said. Both said they want them to know they have earned the wood through their service.

"As I've told the veterans, the old guys, 'Your generation was resourceful, had ingenuity, was extremely hard-working. You are just amazing,'" Lindley said. "'You've made America great, but all of those things combined to make a horrific pain, and it's time for us to take care of you now.'"

    Michele Murphree puts a piece of firewood into a stack during a day of service on Saturday designed to provide wood to area veterans in need.
  

    A volunteer drives a load of firewood to waiting volunteers during a day of services Saturday.
  

    Area volunteers ready firewood to donate to veterans in need. The annual day of service is a combined effort of local veterans groups, community volunteers, and Cedar Hills Church.
  

    Area volunteers ready firewood to donate to veterans in need. The annual day of service is a combined effort of local veterans groups, community volunteers, and Cedar Hills Church.
  

    A volunteer stacks firewood to donate to veterans in need.
  

    A volunteer stacks firewood to donate to veterans in need.
  

    Local volunteers spent Saturday morning getting firewood ready to donate to veterans in need.
  

    Area volunteers ready firewood during a day of service Saturday to donate to veterans in need.
  

    A volunteer uses a chainsaw to ready firewood during a day of service Saturday to donate to veterans in need.
  

    Area volunteers ready firewood during a day of service Saturday to donate to veterans in need.
  

    Area volunteers ready firewood during a day of service Saturday to donate to veterans in need.
  

    Volunteers pose for a group photo during a day of service Saturday aimed at providing firewood to veterans in need in the community.