Barb Matson with sister Dani Mitchell are pictured here with Sergeant Sean R. Mitchell’s photo. An annual art show will be held on Saturday, July 11 in his memory with all proceeds given to the Warren County Veterans Council.

After Barb Matson retired and found herself with extra time, she felt it was time to give back to the community.

After some soul searching and prayer in her retirement, Matson said, “Seeking what God would have me do in my retirement years, it was impressed upon me that one does not have to look far to find someone or some group that could use a hand. It seemed that I had something that I could do and felt strongly that I was not to remain idle. With that, I was referred to the Warren Veterans Council and I felt this was where I was supposed to invest some of my time. Knowing that they help local vets, one vet and one need at a time, was a perfect fit for Matson. With that, she decided to find a way to help the local veterans group and she wanted to generate funds for them.

“I’d like to see veterans helped with their individual needs, local people helping local veterans,” said Matson, a retired nurse, who started to explore making art during her retirement. Coming from a long line of veterans in the family, including her nephew, Sgt. Sean R. Mitchell, who was killed in action in 2004, Matson decided to hold an artisan event in memory of her nephew. She and her sister — the mother of Sgt. Sean R. Mitchell, Dani Mitchell, are organizing the event for the fourth year. The sisters grew up in the Irvine and Youngsville area with their children very close, Sean being the oldest cousin, was very much looked up to by the other children.

A Youngsville High School graduate from the class of 1997, Sean was active in track and field with the discus and shot put. His mother recalls that he often stood up for the underdog and he also enjoyed volunteering at a local nursing home. Some teachers that Sean spoke highly about included Mr. Hendrickson and coach Stan Taydus. “Coach Taydus, (along with his sister) also happens to be very instrumental in the “Hometown Heroes” banners in Youngsville,” she added.

After graduating from high school, Sean was a regular sight at his alma mater, where he helped coach the track team. After receiving a degree in business administration from Jamestown Business College, he was unable to find a job, so he enlisted in the Army. It was his intention to make it a career. He served in Kuwait during Sept. 11 and was deployed to Iraq twice.

Having stood at 6-foot-4, he became known to his military friends as “the gentle giant.”

Artists from all walks of life have donated to this cause, including Sean’s past teachers and coaches as well as veterans and local people in the community.

From painters to photographers, crafters and more, the sale not only benefits the Warren County Veterans Council, but also so that local artists can be known by the community. During this special gathering honoring Sean, the sisters said that they have witnessed military families connect with one another. In particular, the Blue Star Mothers have embraced Dani, a Gold Star mom, to which she is grateful as they brought her in under their wings. Dani is there to listen or share a story, helping people to never forget their loved ones. She added, “I think Sean would be very supportive of this.”

In speaking with this Gold Star mom, Dani reflected on a time when Sean was overseas, and she got into an online military support chat room. One man in particular named Seth Baker was assigned as a civilian worker in Iraq and had a military background, working as a helicopter mechanic. Baker looked (Sean) Mitchell up and gave him his satellite phone. Dani later figured out that it was the very day that Sean had died.

Baker has kept in touch for over 20 years and he has since started the Gold Star Retrievers Foundation where a puppy from every litter is donated to a Gold Star family, and Dani received the very first puppy in Sean’s memory. The foundation has helped make connections with Gold Star families across the state. Dani and her sister made the trip to Texas where Baker resides in order to bring puppies to Pennsylvania.

Appreciative of artist’s donations, Matson said, “Whatever people put their hearts and creative flow into, are encouraged to donate, from painters and photographers to woodcrafters, fabric arts and more.”

Matson considers her time and the materials in her own artwork her donation. She feels very strongly about 100% of the proceeds going to the Veterans Council, saying, “Veterans are first and foremost, and local vets are what the whole thing is about.”

The community is encouraged to attend the Annual Sgt. Sean R. Mitchell Memorial Artisan Event on Saturday from 8 to 4 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church 445 Conewango Ave. Warren. All proceeds from this artisan sale are donated to the Warren Veterans Council.

Anyone interested in donating hand-crafted items for the sale can contact Barb Matson, at (304) 886-4567.