Special Event sponsored by the Outreach Committee March Thrift Drive

March Thrift Drive—Three Sundays, March 11-25
We are collecting items for Norma Herr Women's Center and the Vietnam Veterans.
For the Women's Shelter:

small toiletries (hotel-size shampoos, conditioners, lotions, soaps)
socks, flip flops
laundry soaps and cleaning supplies
diapers

And, for the Vietnam Veterans:

jewelry and eyeglasses
arts and craft supplies
cameras, clocks and radios
clothing (all styles, sizes and accessories), purses and backpacks

The Norma Herr Women's Center (NHWC) houses the largest shelter for homeless women and women with children in Cuyahoga County. Services at the NHWC are available 24/7, 365 days per year. Formerly known as the Community Women's Shelter, the NHWC recently changed its name to honor Norma Herr, a long-time resident of the shelter. Norma was an elderly woman whose courage in the face of homelessness and mental illness served as an inspiration to other residents and to staff. The NHWC also offers onsite homeless prevention services.

The Center can accommodate up to 125 women, but averages about 85 women per night. In addition to beds, the shelter provides meeting spaces, a kitchen and dining area, showers and laundry facilities and a place to access needed community resources. NHWC Program Specialists work with residents to help them achieve self sufficiency, employment, access to alcohol and other drug treatment, assistance with benefits and personal finances and ultimately access to permanent housing.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the only congressionally chartered national Vietnam veterans service organization. Over the years, VVA has been the primary organization insisting that the U.S. Government hold up its obligation to all veterans.

The VVA is a critical support service for our returning veterans. VVA became a membership organization in 1979 and set to work on the issues it remains committed to today:

• Improving the general welfare and hospital care of all veterans, especially homeless and disabled veterans
• Assisting veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other disabilities
• Working closely with veterans of other conflicts
• Taking the lead on women and minority veterans' issues

In order to raise much-needed funds in support of their various facilities and services to veterans and their families, VVA sells donations in bulk to various operators across the country. Your donations might be purchased by thrift operators and resold in second hand stores or shipped to developing nations to provide affordable clothing for others.

Posted via email from OneCoolGod at University Circle UMC