LaGRANGE — A local church group raised more than $500 in donations Saturday to support a military veterans’ faith group.

Veterans of Faith, a group based at Faith Baptist Church on Hammett Road, is, “Vets helping vets combat the hidden wounds with fellowship and spiritual guidance while helping all vets realize they are not forgotten,” according to the VOF Facebook page.

The group met at the Beechwood Furniture Outlet parking lot behind Chick-fil-a on Commerce Avenue and washed cars while taking donations. A steady stream of vehicles kept volunteers busy under the hot sun, but group co-founder Matt Bishop said the turnout was bigger than he expected.

“We’ve had a really good turn out,” he said. “I think people are excited about helping veterans. It’s been steady all day and we’ve had donations anywhere from five dollars to twenty.”

The car wash was free for military veterans, and residents were encouraged to donate any amount of money to the ministry program. Bishop said that all proceeds from the car wash will help kick-start the program and recruit new members.

Bishop served two tours in Iraq in the Marine Corps as part of an engineer battalion. He said that when he came home from duty, he noticed that many veterans had a void to fill.

“A lot of guys will fill that void with drugs and alcohol, but we want to show them that you can fill it with faith,” said Bishop. “Many veterans will only talk about their issues with other veterans. We’re here to listen to those men and women and help them.”

He also noted that the group is not just meant to act as a means of support for suffering veterans, but that VOF is a means of fellowship between servicemen and servicewomen. Bishop said that the group’s regular meetings on the first Saturday of every month always include a meal for everyone attending.

“We get together and share a good meal and have a good time fellowshipping with each other,” said Bishop. “Everything we do is centered around Jesus. It’s a great thing that all kinds of veterans can come be a part of.”

Veterans of Faith meets 6:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month inside the cafe at Faith Baptist Church. To learn more about Veterans of Faith, visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/vetsoffaith.