It was smiles all around from tired volunteers and the amazed VA staff members at the end of the successful drive.
Janice Pell
Wow! The tremendous outpouring of generosity and support from the community for The Women of Quail Creek’s fifth annual clothing and household goods drive for homeless veterans was overwhelming. Contributions this year more than doubled last year’s donations.
When volunteers delivered the donations to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tucson, the staff was truly astonished at how much had been given. It took a caravan of 17 vehicles to deliver the 5,981 items, 333 pounds of toiletries and 22 pounds of notepads and greeting cards collected. In addition, there were checks and cash totaling $665. The money went to the VA’s Voluntary Services Division to help veterans going into housing buy furniture. To quote the manager of the Homeless Veterans program, “It was simply amazing.” Additional items contributed after the event filled another two vehicles.
This year the community also donated bikes for veterans who recently moved into housing and needed transportation to and from work and for job hunting. Jodi Frederick, clinical director for rehabilitation programs, said the bikes were a hit. Among the thank you notes received from VA staff, HUD-VASH Supervisor Danna Auriana sent one that said, “We are so grateful for all the donations. One of our veterans broke out in tears when he got one of the bikes this morning. Very heartwarming for our veterans to feel the love and support of the community.” HUD-VASH is a joint program between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing.
Genesis House, a local charity that provides shelter for victims of domestic violence, also benefited from the drive. DaZee’s, which supports Genesis House, received 517 items of dressier clothing and items that might not fit the needs of the homeless individuals.
TWOQC and the VA thank everyone who donated and/or worked on the drive. To view pictures of the clothing drive, visit the club’s website at www.womenqc.com.