About 150 homeless and hurting Syracuse-area veterans will soon receive comfort kits put together by board members, volunteers, and staff with the American Red Cross. Board member Rob Just says about 75 of them will be distributed to injured vets atthe VA; other 80 will be handed out to homeless veterans around Syracuse during the next two weeks.
“The bags that are going to go to the VA hospital have a bathrobe and shower slippers,” Just said. “The homeless kits have wool hats, wool gloves, and the sweatsuit.”
Both kits contain toiletry items from shampoo and toothpaste to deodorant and shaving cream. Just says most of the items were purchased with corporate donations, and some were donated in kind. He sees the collaboration growing.
“We’re hoping to, in the future, maybe involve some business in the actual distribution,” Just said. “So, a business can maybe get a team of people together – four or five individuals– and take a bunch of the kits up to the VA hospital and distribute them. Once again, other step to getting the community involved.”
Just says it’s part of an increased effort by the Red Cross to stay involved with the military.
“I think nationally, the Red Cross is looking to be more active in that area, in the local community,” Just said. “So, that’s why here locally, about 6 or 8 months ago, we started a separate advisory committee just for the armed forces. We have about 8 or 10 individuals who are looking to put together various programs for the veterans here locally.”
The Syracuse VA hospital andEaster Seals will assist the Red Cross in distributing the comfort kits to homeless veterans.
More information is at redcross.org/Syracuse.