Rack House Tavern hosts first-ever 'Christmas for Homeless Veterans'

The Rack House Tavern in South Bend is trying to make sure homeless veterans have a merry Christmas. Saturday night, they hosted a holiday party to collect donations.

Owner Tina Norby says she thinks it’s her duty to give back locally.

"These days people forget what Christmas is all about. It's more about gifts, when instead, it should be about togetherness, and the true meaning of Christmas is giving to others, so I just wanted to do it for people who weren't as fortunate,” said Rack House Tavern owner, Tina Norby.

That’s why Tina Norby decided to start a new tradition and host a Christmas party benefiting homeless veterans.

Those who brought a donation received 10% off their food Saturday night.

Four bands played to a crowd of 50 to 100 people, many of them veterans.

One veteran is the director of the Robert Miller Veteran's Center for Homeless Veterans, and he says this event means more to all veterans than people even realize.

"This community just like this grill, this bar, is so supportive of veterans. I mean I can't get over talking about the power of community, because they really respect, and in some ways, idolize veterans,” said Director Kent Laudeman.

If you didn’t make it out Saturday, the Rack House Tavern will be collecting donations up until Christmas, and you can drop them off during their regular business hours.