For the fourth year in a row, Gorham residents have assisted the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance with collecting items for homeless and otherwise needy veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
The Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources to veterans as well as educating the public about the needs of the homeless veterans in our country. There are approximately 40,000 homeless veterans on any given night in the United States with veterans making up 9% of the homelessness in our country.
Donation drop boxes are currently located in the lobby of the Gorham Police Department and at the Gorham Mr. Bagel. The Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance is always in desperate need of new socks and travel-size hygiene items such as chapstick. Additionally, with winter approaching and temperatures dropping, items such as coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, pants, shirts, sweaters, flannels, and sleeping bags are indispensable. Unfortunately, the organization is not permitted to collect used blankets or quilts.
Photo courtesy Pam IrishGirl Scouts from Troop 2300 collected various items including backpacks, socks, toiletry bags and snack packs to benefit the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance. Donations were collected from Girl Scouts in Gorham, Scarborough and Westbrook. Officer Kiger accepted the donation at the Gorham Police Department drop box.
Gorham volunteer point-of-contact, Jennifer Beaumont, said, “last year, we had a goal of collecting 300 pairs of socks. The residents of Gorham donated 806 pairs of new socks, with 70 coming from students at Village School. Everyone has been amazing and extremely generous.”
“We were recently made aware of a homeless veteran living in the woods here in Gorham,” said Beaumont, “and the community stepped up by raising funds, gift cards, and clothing. A special person even purchased a track phone and minutes for the veteran, allowing this individual to reach out to the VA, the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance, and to stay connected with other housing prospects. He was even hired full-time in Gorham.”
Volunteers from the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance will happily travel to businesses or homes to pick up donated goods. For more information on the Alliance or to schedule a pick-up, please contact Jennifer Beaumont at (207) 653-5009.