Assist Homeless Veterans on STAND DOWN DAY Friday, November 16, 2018

Omaha, NE: Volunteers and gift donors are encouraged to assist the Veterans Administration - Omaha "Stand Down,” on Friday, November 16, 2018. It is being held at the UNO Campus in the Milo Bail Student Center, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha.  A Stand Down is typically a 1-3 day event providing supplies and services to homeless veterans. These donated items include food, hygiene supplies, and winter clothing, Additional services available include health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. VOLUNTEERS: Help is needed for handing out items in 2 hour shifts. American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) volunteers may schedule by contacting Leatrice Doolan, ALA District 8 President, leatricedoolen@msn.com Other Questions may be directed to Kerry Miller Loos, (402)-599-0083, kerry.MillerLoos@va.gov. The alternate contact is Sara Meints, (402) 669-0364, sarah.Meints@va.gov. SUPPLIES: by November 12th, donated items are needed for Stand Down. Contact phone number (402) 763-6209 or email [ membership.ne.ala.unit362@gmail.com ] to arrange for donation pick up or delivery. Hygiene items to be donated include soap, shampoo, conditioner, combs/brushes, razors, lotion, lip balm, sunglasses, nail files/clippers, and first aid/bandaids. Clothing is needed for 90-100 men (sizes Medium - 3X), and for 9 - 12 women: (sizes Large-3X). All socks have been donated by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Herman Unit. Other suggestions include underwear, sweaters/sweatshirts, and jeans, Outerwear needed are coats, stocking hats, gloves, scarves, and boots. Sleeping gear are also essentials: blankets, inflatable pillows or mats. Food items should be easy to use(open by tabs or tearing, to eat out of). FUNDING: Please send all cash donations to, Sally Johnson, ALA District 8, 17511 "O” Street, Omaha, NE, 68135. Make checks payable to "District 8 ALA” and be sure to insert on the memo line "Stand Down Donation.” Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, other government agencies, and community-based homeless service providers.