Over the years groups and idividuals have come to us asking what they can do to help us in our mission. We have compiled the following list of the most frequently needed items. To help make the list easier to review we have broken it down into three categories; Personal Items, Home Items, Contractors List and a Social Wish List. Each of these lists contains a wide variety of items that any indiviaula or group can purchase and donate.
Personal Items In our emergency housing center (The Vets Place), many of our residents come to us with nothing but the clothes on their back. The Vets Place provides a safe, clean, sober place for the veteran to get the help he needs to get his life back on track. Below are listed just a few of the regular items that we are constantly in need of. We are in need of clothing items in various sizes due to the wide range of the sizes of the men who come through our doors.
Paper products – paper plates, paper cups, napkins, toilet paper, paper towels Wind up alarm clocks Men’s socks, Underwear, t-shirts, sweat suits, pants, shirts, shoes Containers for storage of food items Frozen meats (advance notice needed) Personal Hygiene products: Razors, Shave ,Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Shampoo, Soap Books: Self Help/Motivational Books, Health/Diet Books, cookbooks Towels,washcloths and large storage containers for vets personal items
Home Items We are always in need of new or gently used furniture and appliances to help the men who graduate from our programs set up independent living situations.
DVD or VCR’s Dressers and night stands Single beds (frames, mattresses and box springs) Twin size: Sheets, Pillow cases, Blankets, Pillows, Mattress covers Lamps New Vacuum cleaners Computers/printers Assorted tools Paint Lawnmowers
Shower curtains for rooms
Coffee,sugar,creamer
Laundry soap and bleach
Contractor List We run several transitional/permanent housing units for men who have graduated from the emergency shelter as well as running the shelter itself. This housing is considered transitional/long term and provides a safe, comfortable, independent living situation so the men can regain their dignity.
The homes, like all homes, are in constant need of care. Listed below are several suggestions that contractors, or vendors might be able to donate. We are always open to suggestions.
Painting of a building (inside or out) Siding Sheds (especially a shed big enough to house a Kayak – which we have ready to be donated) Lawn care, sprinkler system Carpet cleaning Screen doors
Social Wish List Socialization is an integral part of helping the veteran to leave homelessness and addiction behind. To assist in this process we have a volunteer staff who provide social events and activities for the veterans to take part in as well as exercise. Many of these outings are group oriented and geared at helping the men to feel good about themselves. Gift certificates to local chain restaurants and entertainment venues can help defray the cost of these outings. Each outing usually consists of 8-10 men.
If you want to volunteer, an outing with a few men on a nice day is nice. Many of our residents don't drive so they are limited where they can go.
4-5 beach/camp chairs Gift Certificates to chain restaurants: Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesdays, Carvel, Friendly’s Tickets to the movies Sporting events Concerts/Plays (local)
Suffolk County United Veterans is a 501 (c) (3) not for-profit, tax exempt organization. A copy of our Annual Report is available through this website and a copy of our financial status is available through the NY State Charities Bureau. Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
