The Women of Quail Creek sort donations to benefit the homeless.
Janice Pell
Mark Saturday, October 31 on the calendar. That’s the date The Women of Quail Creek will sponsor its sixth annual clothing and household goods drive to benefit homeless veterans in the Tucson area. TWOQC volunteers will be in the front parking lot of the Madera Clubhouse from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. to collect donations.
If you are sorting out those closets, please consider setting aside items to donate to those who have served our country. As the days and nights turn chilly, veterans will need warm clothing such as hoodies, sweatshirts and knitted scarfs and hats. New and gently used clothing will be accepted if used items are clean and in good condition. Socks and underwear must be new. Backpacks are always appreciated. In addition to warm clothing for both men and women, donations of unused travel sized toiletries will be accepted. Hospitalized veterans love to get notepads, greeting cards and calendars.
According to VA officials, there are 2,437 homeless veterans in southern Arizona. Of these, 385 have served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Of the total homeless, 243 are female.
HUD-VASH places homeless veterans in transitional housing until they can find jobs and move into more permanent quarters. HUD-VASH is a joint program between the U.S. Departments of Housing Urban Development and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing. Suggested items for contributions that will help supplement this program include small household goods, paper products, cleaning supplies, towels and washcloths, laundry detergent and queen sized or smaller bed linens. Monetary contributions will be used to help furnish the apartments. Bicycles have been requested to be used by veterans that have recently moved into housing and need transportation for travel to and from work or to job interviews.
TWOQC volunteers will sort, pack and deliver the donations to the Veterans Hospital in Tucson. For the past five years this event has been a tremendous success thanks to the generosity of our community, providing aid to so many in need. Please help make a difference this year.
Questions about the project should be directed to Mary Lou Kiger at 625-3235 or Peggy McGee at [email protected] or 207-6188.