Clothing drive to support depleted veteran's center

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A clothing drive has been organized by members of the professional organizations here to assist the New England Center for Homeless Veterans with replacing clothing and other items that were destroyed in a sewage main break that took place recently at the center. The drive is scheduled to run through April 7.

Led by the Air Force Sergeants Association, organizations such as the Air Force Association, Top 3 and Company Grade Officer's Council are working collaboratively to collect new or gently used items that will keep veterans warm and provide appropriate clothing for job interviews. Organizers said women's clothing in particular is in high demand.

Items such as business attire, casual wear, scarfs, hats, gloves, athletic and dress socks and under garments are being collected.

"The Air Force Association asked the professional organizations on base to assist with this important community project," said Staff Sgt. John Twomey, 66th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog trainer and AFSA president. "So we got together and decided to make this a collaborative effort. And from our previous work with the AFA, Staff Sergeant Tiffany Caldwell [AFSA vice president] and I decided to take the lead on this critically important project."

Collections bins will be placed in the following locations: The Brown Building, at the Hanscom Fitness and Sports Center, Base Chapel, 66th Security Forces Squadron, 66th Medical Squadron, Base Exchange, the Before and After School program as well as Building 1614 and Building 1630.

"These are our brothers and sisters in arms who need our help," said Twomey. "These veterans served before us and it is now our duty to help them during their time of need."

According to their website, the New England Center for Homeless Veterans is a multi-dimension service and care provider dedicated to assisting veterans who are facing or at-risk of homelessness. The Center offers a broad array of programs and services that enable success, reintegration, meaningful employment and independent living.

For further information, contact Twomey at 781-225-6592 or Caldwell at 781-225-6254.