Items for the Veterans living at the home in King are still being collected at the radio station and now at the VFW Post 2723 in Shawano, as still there are many things needed.
Despite the political climate surrounding the Veterans Home in King, Darlene Ross began collecting for them because it’s something of a human issue, rather than something political.
“It’s non-partisan of what I’m doing,” Ross explained of her initiative. “It all came about because of what I saw of the conditions of the veterans clothes at King about a year ago. It was just not a sight I really wanted to see for these men and women who served our country to have clothes that looked like they did.”
Ross says she’s thankful for all of the contributions that have been made from those that have donated new or gently used items in recent months.
“I want to thank people for what they’ve done,” said Ross. “I want them to put their arms around themselves if you gave a donation because that is what I received when I went down there from several veterans. They were so happy. For the first time a lot of them had new clothes and a lot of it.”
The veterans living at the home in King often are on a fixed income, which means having only a little extra money to purchase non-essentials, like social items.
“One of the things they really look forward to is cans of coffee,” Ross explained. “Their meals, that’s provided, but they have a lot of these social things. For those social things, they have to come from another source because they get what we call basic needs. I don’t know why clothing isn’t in that.”
A complete list of items needed can be found online at www.wisvets.com, but items the veterans enjoy can be anything from fun-sized candy bars, puzzles, lotions, facial tissues, and one of the most appreciated items that Ross has seen, a lap blanket.
“When I talked to the donation specialist, they said that’s a personal item and they feel that’s a comforter to them. They don’t care what type, but a lap blanket is their personal belonging.”
For those wishing to donate to the Veterans Home in King, donations can also be mailed or dropped off in person.