American Legion collects donations for Vets Exiting Homelessness

Palatine American Legion Post 690 is collecting household items for veterans who are exiting homelessness as part of a program for Military Outreach USA from November 4th through November 17th at the American Legion 122 West Palatine Road in Palatine.

The Legion will be accepting donations in the clubroom Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM. “I want to stress,” said Eileen McKevitt, Project Chair, “that this year because of the virus everything donated has to be new. We cannot accept used items.”

The veterans who are supported in this program are moving into their first apartment or home after being homeless. Typically, these veterans will move into an empty space so they will need everything from kitchen items and cleaning supplies to linens and toiletries. The Legion will be collecting new personal hygiene items, everything for the bathroom and miscellaneous items such as smoke detectors, light bulbs as well as laundry baskets and detergent.

Military Outreach USA has a formal partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs so that they and their partners can work closely with every VA medical facility to ensure veterans at the local level are being served. Their partners at the community level, houses of worship, businesses, civic groups, schools and individuals, utilize the resources and tools they provide to help meet the needs of veterans at the local level.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veteran’s organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veteran’s service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

The Palatine Chapter holds their monthly general meeting on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM at the American Legion Hall on Palatine Road in Palatine. For further information on the American Legion, any of their sponsored events or for membership write to the American Legion, 122 West Palatine Road, Palatine, IL 60067, call them at 847-359-1606, email them at palatinepost690@gmail.com or visit alpost690.us.