The AMVETS Post 59 veterans giving tree has plenty of ornaments still waiting to be donated.
Hannah Simerson | Times Leader
AMVETS Post 59 hosts giving tree to benefit homeless veterans
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The AMVETS Post 59 is hosting a veterans giving tree to benefit local homeless veterans. Those interested in contributing can stop in for an ornament or bring in warm clothing items.
Hannah Simerson | Times Leader
HANOVER TWP. — At AMVETS Post 59, “you never leave a man behind.”
In this spirit, the post is hosting a veterans giving tree to benefit local homeless veterans, and there are plenty of ornaments — each with a requested item on the back — left on the tree.
Whether it be a long sleeve shirt, sweatpants, socks or gloves, each donated item goes directly to homeless veterans, says AMVETS Post 59 Public Relations Specialist Tammy Wenger.
“Unfortunately, there are so many homeless veterans out there and each day there’s more and more that are getting dropped off and bussed in. Our main goal is to dress them head to toe and then get them off the street,” Wenger said.
This year marks the third consecutive year that the post has done the veterans giving tree, and Wenger says over 400 veterans have been helped in the process.
As a veteran herself, Wenger says that veteran homelessness is a reality that could have affected any member of the post.
“God forbid, it could have been us that’s on the street if we didn’t have the families that we have,” Wenger said.
“There are so many different things that could have happened to have led to them being on the street— PTSD, spouses leaving them — there’s many reasons why they’re on the street, and we will not rest until we can help every single veteran that needs it,” she added.
Although those interested in contributing to the tree can stop in to grab an ornament, Wenger says it’s not necessary.
“Just think, ‘what would a homeless veteran need?’ You can go out and buy that and then drop it off unwrapped and we put it all together to be distributed to them.”
The post will also accept monetary donations in lieu of physical items, which will be used to buy winter boots for the veterans.
Donations can be dropped off at 578 Fellows Ave in Hanover Twp. from 2-11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12-11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas.