Please at least read the following, and have a look at the list of needed items. Most of us probably have things we've no use for or could live without, and to take the time to help those who've served our country is a special blessing all to itself. ANY donation is greatly appreciated so please do what you can.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES WEEKLY UPDATE FOR 2 SEPTEMBER 2005www.naus.org
The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH-G) in Gulfport,Mississippi was hit very hard!! So hard in fact, the residents are being relocated, indefinitely, to the AFRH in Washington (AFRH-W). Approximately416 residents huddled down during the storm and made it through with noreported injuries. However the entire facility was severely damaged.According to Timothy Cox, Chief Operating Officer of both homes, "Ten feet of water surged into the ground floor of the Gulfport home, ruining thekitchen, dining room, bowling alley, long term care facility and submerging the emergency generator."
The AFRH-W began preparing facilities on Tuesday to receive the displaced. Aided by 150 DC area National Guard members, they opened one of the buildings slated for rehabilitation, and began dusting,mopping floors and getting beds ready to safely house the AFRH-G residentswho departed Gulfport Tuesday evening in a convoy of 10 busses.NAUS called the AFRH-W and asked how we could help. In response to theirrequest, Hal Grant, Director of Chapter Management, and Mike Plumer,National Military & Veterans Benefits Advisor, received the go ahead fromNAUS President MG Matz to join the NAUS Chapter (DC-1) at AFRH-W to helpout. They will be at the Washington Home bright and early Friday morning.We were told that we would be doing many things including helping some ofthe newly arrived residents get settled, move furniture, and help makearrangements for those who want to leave the DC facility to visit friendsand family and whatever else is needed.
For those wanting to help. NAUS recommends you donate money, specifically designated for hurricane relief, to your local area American Red Cross or Salvation Army. Both of these national agencies will need significantresources to help those that desperately need assistance. Although the ideaof donating clothes and goods may appeal to many people, we discourage that,as there is no way to get those donated items to those who need them themost. In all likelihood it will be many weeks before the transportation system will be able to truck items there. In the meantime the Red Cross,Salvation Army and FEMA, aided by the Air Force are flying in massiveamounts of material. Your monetary donations will go much further to aid in this disaster. For those who want to help the dislocated veterans from the AFRH-G, the administration of the Home in DC has provided a list of items they need for these ladies and gentlemen:In response to the many calls from individuals and organizations wanting to do something for our Gulfport veterans who weathered Hurricane Katrina, the following "wish list" of items is provided:
Small televisions Small and medium refrigerator (room size)
Alarm clocksSmall Radios Personal CD players/CDs by any artist
Pajamas (mostly for men, but also some for women) - sizes small, medium,large, extra large and extra/extra large.Bath robes (see sizing above)
Underwear/Socks (mostly male, some female)Slippers, (male/female, sizes small/medium/large)Shower shoesClothes (new only)
ShirtsPolo ShirtsTee ShirtsShortsSlacksHatsBelts (all sizes)
Tennis shoesLaundry detergentTowels/washclothsSingle sheet setsBlanketsBed pillowsBed spreadsPersonal ItemsElectric shavers/disposable shaversHand held hair dryersCurling ironsShaving creamFeminine Hygiene productsToothpasteToothbrushesDental flossMouthwashDenture cupsDenture adhesiveCotton ballsCotton swabs Adult diapers Tissues
Phone cards so our displaced veterans can call their families.
Writing paper/envelopes/books of stampsDiscount coupons for things such as eyeglasses Discount or free tickets to any recreational or sporting events within 20-30mile radius of Washington. If you live close enough to the AFRH-W please deliver these items to the front gate.
If not send them via regular mail to:
Armed Forces Retirement Home-
WashingtonGeneral Delivery3700
N. Capital St. NWWashington, DC 20011-8400
Take time to offer a prayer or two for those whose lives may never be the same.
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