NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Devlin Blackburn, a police officer for the Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Susquehanna, is also an accomplished artist who has been donating some of his creations to Chive Charities for the last two years.
Chive Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting underserved veterans, military families, first responders, and rare medical diagnoses with life-changing grants. The charity has donated over $20 million in the past 10 years to those in need.
Blackburn, a woodworker and designer, made two custom beer totes that earned $500 for the charity. Because of that success, the Chive Charities Lonestar Chapter reached out to him, asking if he could do something for the charity auction this year held in the beginning of November. Blackburn gladly agreed and set out to creating and producing numerous creations for the event.
Speaking with Jenn Holub, the head of Chive Charites, Blackburn recalls, “Me, being a veteran, seeing what others have gone through, I am just glad I can finally help and make a difference any way I can, whether by monetary donations, or my custom creations to auction at a charity event. It has been my pleasure and will continue to do it as long as I can.”
Blackburn’s creations this year earned over $3700 for the nonprofit organization.
Blackburn also made Junior Police badges for the children at the day care here on the New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, installation this past April in recognition of the “Month of the Military Child.”
“One of the children now attending day care here has cancer and was not present when I made the badges. So, I made her a custom badge. Her dad, an Army Sergeant First Class, said “she always looks for you in the center lane [installation entrance gate], and says where’s my buddy.” I asked her dad what her favorite animal is, he said horses, so I created her a small plaque for motivation with a horse. I do these things, not for recognition, but because it feels good giving, and seeing others smile when they receive a custom creation, a good morning, or a helping hand when in need,” said Blackburn.
This article does not imply DOD or DLA endorsement of any charity or nonprofit organization.