In the parking lot of a local grocery store sits a white storage trailer. Gathered around the trailer is a group of men who you might not expect to see together. What brings them together is their desire to give back to military veterans in the area. These men are the core group of volunteers for Soldiers for the Lord, a group of Christians who are working for disabled veterans, other disabled individuals and the elderly in need.

Inside the trailer are tools that were purchased out-of-pocket by Floyd Penny, an electrician, plumber and property owner from Cape Girardeau.

"I'm not rich, but I live comfortably enough that I can spare the money," Penny said. "The Lord has blessed me and I want to give back."

Penny started Soldiers for the Lord 10 months ago, but health problems kept him from making any progress until recently.

Soldiers for the Lord will provide minor home repair, lawn care and cleaning services for all who qualify within a 30-mile radius of Cape Girardeau.

Penny, who has volunteered at homeless shelters over the last several years, is joined by friends and colleagues from local churches to help with services.

One of his colleagues is Carey Wilson of Cape Girardeau, the Bishop of New Beginning Church of Deliverance and a retired general contractor.

"The world is in chaos," Wilson said. "There isn't enough help for the veterans it seems, so we are trying to step in to intervene."

Not only does Soldiers for the Lord employ the help of retired contractors and workers, but active ones as well. Bruce Baker, owner of Regional Property Maintenance, is volunteering his services as well, working on his off days.

"I'm always looking for ways to give, and this is one way that I see that I can use my talents to help," he said.

Penny said they want all funds going toward the project to come from within.

"We don't accept government money," he said. "We don't need it."

Wilson said they hope to eventually expand the group's horizons beyond minor home repairs.

"People need food, they need counseling, and a lot of people need a new beginning," Wilson said. "There are people who are living under bridges who don't have homes, and we want to help them get back on their feet and get their mind focused."

Dave McNeely of Scott City said it's about repaying the sacrifices made by the soldiers overseas who may have fallen on hard times after returning home.

"Just because you've been knocked down doesn't mean you can't get back up," he said. "We just want to give people some comfort."

Taylor Jacklin of Cape Girardeau was in a similar situation, with no place to stay after being abandoned. He was helped by a homeless shelter where Penny and Wilson worked.

"They helped me get back on my feet," he said. "I've been helped so much, and this is a great opportunity for me to give back."

Not only will volunteers be helping with repairs, but contractors from Cape Girardeau, Scott City and Southern Illinois also have offered to donate their time.

Penny said the first job by Soldiers of the Lord will take place in Perryville, Mo. He said even though they only are in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois for the time being, he hopes to expand.

"It's growing fast, because we're doing it for the Lord," Penny said. "I'd love to take this nationally and then take Soldiers for the Lord all over the world."

For more information on volunteering or to request services, call 334-2491.